not many people keep there cars very long, so why would they care how long the battery lasts??? duh! and 2nd there is no such thing as the grass is 'greener' between EV's and gas cars! and 3rd, you said 'but nobody' says what batteries cost,! um NO! that is not true! you have a very WEAK point, so troll on else where! you trolls are a 'dime a dozen' @@georgevavoulis4758
If you ever heard anything about lifetime transmission fluid it is the most vile, heinous and despicable thing a car maker could ever tell you!! Really 60,000 miles is a really long interval. I would also urge you not to be one of those people trying to get 100,000 miles out of that fluid. Maybe you will but maybe that transmission will fail around that time! If it is a DSG the changes are mandatory at 40,000 if you want to keep it running! I would even do the change sooner if it seems to need it! A transmission is a notoriously expensive and difficult part to replace!! Having one fail could only be worse on a busy road or highway because it can lock up. Also you would not want to have it fail when you are somewhere somewhat far from home. Hopefully instead it happens near a car dealer who has a good price on a vehicle to maybe get you out of that horrible situation.
Got a 2016 Passat with 135,000 miles on it. Only routine maintenance at the dealership. Front brakes replaced at 85,000 miles, rear still good. Absolutely no issues.
I have a 2017 1.6 tdi Seat Leon. It’s a Uk car with VAG mechanicals. I’m at 95k miles. Only thing replaced on the car other than regular maintenance items was an inner driveshaft seal at 86k. In April it will have its Cambelt and water pump replaced on its 5th birthday. It’s been very reliable so far.
So far I have owned five Volkswagens so far (2 air cooled). I have always had good luck with them. I drove my 1972 Beetle for almost 34 years and my 2001 Jetta GL for 14 years. VW's hold up very well if taken care of properly. My 2020 Passat SE has also been trouble free at 35,000+ miles.
You had VW's made years ago but sadly nowadays all vehicles are made with cheap parts and although they are much safer and usually less polluting they have other issues as they quickly age poorly.
2021 Passat here, my fourth VW…my 13 tdi had issues I couldn’t resolve, so ended up with a Hyundai then as soon as I could I ran back to VW, lol. I think maintenance is key and I change my oil every 3000-5000 miles, and try my best to do the maintenance as prescribed. 52,000 miles and so far so good. I plan on having my transmission fluid changed early as well, and the timing chain too.
@@DJonathanHayes76 Thanks, got 99,000 on mine right now, just replaced the timing belt, hoping to squeeze everything I can out of it, drives like a dream, thoroughly pleased with it so far.
@@snowball4416 I loved mine but at 160,000 I couldn't get it fixed and it was stalling on the highway, so I had to get another vehicle. I wanted to do the DPF delete. Maybe one day I can find another one.
American buyers generally don’t care to maintain their cars. They also like to buy cars they can’t afford to maintain. It’s common knowledge. Of course there are lots of lemons out there, but with the number of people that wait till they see a check engine light before they even do an oil change, no wonder so many cars are “unreliable.” Toyota/Honda still deserve a lot of credit for building such neglect-resistant vehicles but even then they still fail
They arent just "neglect resistant". Because if you DO take care of them, they can last 500k+ miles. They are simply better made vehicles all around. Im not being judgmental about individual preferences here. If you love your BMW/ Volkswagon/ Range Rover/ Subaru/ etc and are willing to spend more time and money maintaining them, thats cool! I respect your decision... but have the decency to be honest with others.
@@alibabaschultz352 I didn’t say Toyota/Honda are purely neglect resistant, of course I know they’re genuinely well-made and use simple tried and true designs which last. My only point is that what often leads to the “unreliable” moniker many cars get is simply neglect/unwillingness to properly maintain a vehicle. That said, a lot of these newer cars with tiny overworked turbocharged engines and stuff like cylinder deactivation etc are often just garbage cars, no two ways about it.
@@kingdeedee I think the entire concept of "reliable" has evolved over the years. If we lived in a utopian society, everything would last forever, without needing any maintenance. You can take that logic and work backwards. The fact is, literally anything can last forever if you keep "maintaining" it, or even rebuilding it. The distinction is the products that DONT require as much maintenance.
@@alibabaschultz352 yes sure any car can go forever if you really want to invest into it. But I’m not even really talking about “any car” here. I had a VW Passat I drove for 200K miles myself with no serious repairs and I knew it was never known to be the most reliable car. Of course most cars aren’t built to hit 400-500K with original parts like Toyotas have been, but I’m just saying you can absolutely still get great usage out of many many cars as long as you avoid the real notorious lemons. I’m not saying anyone should trust their lives in the hands of a Nissan CVT here
I'm at 79,000 miles in my 17 sport. My car is the exact set up as your. is38 EQT tuned Reflex Silver. My car is DSG. My experience is the EA888 motor is a stout and reliable engine. The DSG gear box handles power and is the only automatic I have ever loved. However there are some weak supporting components that do fail. List of things I have replaced: Waterpump, PCV valve, secondary air valve TWICE, an injector, and I just replaced the coil packs. I'm 57 years old and love this car despite some of it's cheap components. Great review
I just bought a single owner bone stock '17 Sport with 70K miles but an impeccable service history. Also the intake manifold and waterpump have both been replaced in the last 10k miles. Hopefully the PPI is all good.
For two years, I work as a mechanic in and Import shop. The most common major issue that I came across with four cylinder Volkswagen or Audi was timing chain issues or if someone did not replace the timing belt on schedule. Volkswagen went from a timing belt to a timing chain on the turbo 2.0 L engines and the chain tensioner was not built well. I would personally prefer a timing belt so that it gets replaced regularly and you are less likely to wind up with unexpected issues. My biggest gripe with Volkswagen and Audi was how difficult it was to work on them. The exception was the Jetta and golf. The transverse mounted engines were not as difficult to work on. The Audi TT was like that also. I think that they started mounting the engine transverse in more models in recent years.
The timing chain is utter garbage. Timing chains can work just fine without the need to replace them however VW really fucked their design up. This is the biggest issue with their cars here in Germany as well. They probably did that on purpose, the design is just sooo bad I can´t imagine they didn´t notice. I know their engineers, I am an automotive engineer myself, I am sure somebody really fucked up or they did it on purpose.
@@aurtisanminer2827 - Agreed - BUT - A little noise is a good tattletale or warning that something needs attention. To me, that's better than "BLAM! Have a nice day!" 😜
Thanks! I'm past 211,000 miles now. I have minor reservations before a big trip, but I make sure the oil is good and let 'er rip! ;-) Thanks for visiting!
I have a 2003 Jetta TDI wagon with a 5-soeed stick. I bought it new in January 2003 and it now has 410k miles on it. I had a new clutch put in it, and several sets of tires along the way, but the drivetrain has been flawless. I did change the egr valve 2 times over the years, and it did carbon up at about 365k miles, requiring a new intake manifold. I rebuilt the suspension at about that time, also. Every 100k miles I have the timing belt serviced, including water pump and tensioners. I had a couple of wheel alignments done over the years. The motor and transmission have never been touched. The car gets around 45 mpg in mixed driving, and I have gotten up to 53 miles per gallon driving on long trips. It is the most dependable car I have ever had, and I have been driving for 60 years. PS I have used Amsoil in it since new, changing it every 5k miles. I just hope it keeps going, because cars cost so much now.
The moor oil manufacturing does not matter at all. It´s always the same product as long as it has the VW specification on it. It´s the same oil distributet by different brands.
I have only owned TDI’s, four of them. They have all been great. The owner (me) has been the problem, not the cars. I took my 05’ across the country twice. It was north of 300k miles when I did both trips. It was taken off the road at 397k miles when I was t-boned last May, resulting in a total loss! Drive a TDI normally, do the maintenance, and the will last forever.
I had a 1998 Jetta TDI for 20 years. I retired it with 445,000 miles due to rot in the strut towers, a common problem with the Mk3 platform. I sold the car to a B4 Passat owner who wanted my powertrain for his car. It was a great car, but driving modern cars had me wondering how I ever felt safe in my beloved Mk3. HAHA! Thanks for visiting!
Someone offered me a 2014 Jetta TDI with around 60k miles and is relatively cheap. I know I could have a car for many years to come with that mileage. The problem is that the car wasn't driven for over a year. So I know that it will need a lot of work before it's ready to go. I'm afraid that I'll end up paying a lot more because of this. I don't know what to do, my instinct says no but I really like the car.🤔
@@cooncrib00 I think the panoramic sunroof was leaking. Also the cover for that sunroof was broken and there was no shade inside. And there was probably a bunch of other issues that isn't worth fixing. I have my mind now in a golf, sportwagen or Jetta in better condition. It doesn't have to be a TDI, but it must be a manual transmission.
@@cooncrib00 Seems like the panoramic sunroof was leaking and the blind that goes below it was broken so there was no shade inside. That and all the mechanical work that was probably required made me think it was not worth it. Now I have my mind in a sportswagen, golf or Jetta in better shape. It doesn't need to be a TDI as long as it has a manual transmission
I've had three new GTI's, an A4 and R. The 01' VR6 was a POS (coils, window regulators, mass airflow, throttle body, sunroof leaks) all before 20k miles, '07 had carbon buildup issues at 30k, dsg failed at 32k, throttle body at 55k. 12' GTI was good only maint but I only put 17k on it before getting the 16' R. was great until it almost killed me when the EPC light came on on the highway four times (each time went to dealer and they couldn't replicate) the fifth time it happened I was almost killed by a truck. I dumped the car after that. I do love the way they drive though when they are not in the shop.
WOW! With each year you presented, I was thinking, "Yep, that's a Mk4; Yep, that's a Mk5; Yep, that's a Mk6." HAHA! The Mk7 seemingly fixed many of the things that were problems on the earlier generation cars. I don't know what the Mk8 improved. Time will tell. BTW, my GTI has 175,000 miles now. :-) Thanks for visiting.
I'm pleased w/ my 2017 Tiguan overall. Had to replace fuel pump twice while under warranty. MPG little on the lower side. The ride quality is lovely. Design is unique. Great legroom for 6'5" driver. Just had check engine light during long trip from FL to IA, but not major issue, think low grade gasoline w/ 10% Ethanol triggered issue. Diagnostic noted likely O2 sensor. After reset hasn't gone off since. Love my ride. 130k and rolls like a new vehicle.
Thanks for sharing that! I have an intermittent O2 sensor fault. It's rather rare, but does surface from time to time. I just clear the code and move on. HAHA! I'm at 233,000 miles. My next car *may* be a Tiguan. Thanks for visiting!
2001 B5 Audi A4 w 1.8T here. 330,000 miles so far. It's needed the basic routine maintenance (brakes, suspension arms, timing belt, CV boots) and one new turbocharger. Very reliable car. Take care of VW products and they will take care of you.
That's fantastic! I thought the B5s (Audi and VW) were known for problems, especially with the suspension and axles. Glad you've had a good run! Thanks for visiting!
I just bought a 24 Jetta. I have not owned a VW since 1990. I have been buying Hondas and Toyotas, Lexus, for the past 30 years. The reason I even went to look at the new Jetta was the way the Asian dealers are treating people now. They are being too greedy, not a single deal I tried to make with them did not have thousands of dollars of dealer mark ups added at the end of negotiations. The Jetta has a 2k dollar rebate on it now and I got it for under invoice and the dealer took all the dealer add ons off the price of the car. To make it simple, I would not pay the price to get into an Asian car again. I had forgotten why I liked VW cars. They drive great, I love the stiffer suspension and the seats. My last VW was also a Jetta, I had 139k miles on it when I rear ended a pick up. It was a great car. I was impressed with the new Jetta, I have been averaging almost 50mpg, thats hybrid mileage these days on a regular gas engine. Time will tell if my new Jetta is a good car, but I do like it better than most of the Asian cars I have owned .
I wish my head lights were only $75! My car has the fancy BiXenon steerable lights. They run about $1100 per side for just the part! I've dreaded the day when one goes out, but mine are still working. Fingers crossed!
@@StealthGTI is that for the light and the lamp assembly? Is the steering mechanism not separate from the lamp itself? The MKV had auto leveling headlamps, but the car did the leveling and the lamp was replaceable as a removable part. If not, wow!
@@StealthGTI I’m thinking that you should be able to change the bulb. It looks like there is no way to get to the bulb inside of the headlight unit, but there is a housing for the bulb which is removable.
I worked at a VW dealership and I saw a Jetta with 385000 miles and was still running very good! You take care of your vehicle and it will give you many years of pleasure! 😊
Yes they are reliable! I am driving a 2007 Golf my dad purchased new back in the day. Kept up with the maintenance and still buttery smooth both interior and exterior. My mom is driving a 2009 Audi Q7 with 300k miles on it and it’s still good. We’ve taken that on several cross country tours from coast to coast and to Canada!
2019 Alltrack SEL w MT here. Just about 72k now. Flawless, still have 40% break pads. Careful engine break in, oil change at 1k and every 3k thereafter. Easy driving until engine is saturated with heat, but then she gets some beans (with a stage 1 tune). It keeps the waste gate actuator alive…and maybe the valves a little cleaner. Service sunroof drains fairly often. No leaks.
I have a 2019 4motion Sportwagen. I am approaching 100,000 km i love the thing. Ive had one warranty claim when the drivers door wire harness went bad. I do oil changes sooner than the suggested 15,000 km. The seems happy and when I am driving I have a smile on my face because it is a joy to drive.
Love this video, nothing but truth. I love my VW’s. I have a 2018 Tiguan that I bought pre owned with 30k miles in 2022, I’ve had it 2 years now and have already put 50k miles on it😬 the engine, transmission, haldex all wheel drive and other mechanical parts have held up great. Due to driving it so much, of course I had to get new brakes all around, new tires, those are all common wear items. But the only issues I’ve really had are suspension related. I heard vw’s are known for bad coil springs, my front left one snapped a couple months ago, no big deal had it towed and it was fixed same day. I had to do a cv axle because I neglected to replace my torn cv boot which ultimately ran it dry from grease so it failed down the road. And finally I had to replace my control arm bushings in the front because the stock ones are known to crack and fail (rs3 bushings to the rescue). Besides that, a serpentine belt and a battery replacement under warranty, she’s a fantastic vehicle, drives great and doesn’t give me problem. The key to a long lasting vw is MAINTENANCE. Follow it by the book and you’ll be fine! Same with my mothers 2018 Beetle, only issues were a pcv valve and purge valve replacement, sway bar links and repair an exhaust clamp.
Import fans would say that's a lot of problems! ;-) I'm messing with you. The more complex cars can have a different slew of issues, unfortunately. I'm leaning toward a Crosstrek for my next vehicle (years from now, hopefully). No turbo and port injection should avoid at least a few problems. That and only half the horsepower of my GTI. HAHA! Thanks for visiting!
Loved my MK4 Jetta Wagon, it was golden as long as maintenance is up kept. The thing about Toyota vs VW reliability really just comes down to having a reliable owner or not. When I had my dad whipping me 100 miles/2 weeks away from maintenace, VW has never failed me. The second I left home, my Jetta died and replaced with a Passat which had tons of issue by 3rd year. Toyotas/Lexus on the other hand, I don't think I have ever done maintenance on time. Even with off roading and leaving the car as is when I go on 2-3 month vacations, don't hurt it too much.
Toyotas are benchmarks for reliability. Unfortunately, their pricing has crept skyward to the point of making all but the least of their offerings affordable to most consumers. I may consider a Subaru in the future. Thanks for visiting!
Good to hear about your mileage.I love my 2018 GTI. Only 44k but I work from home and only do 5k per year. Just replaced the water pump (warranty), oil pan, spark plugs, cabin/air filters, and fuel suction pump (recall) Definitely higher maintenance than a Toyota but still not too bad. Runs like a champ now !
Thanks for sharing. I'm not looking forward to the suction pump recall since I'll have to remove my "house battery" so that the tech can access the fuel tank port. I'll use the event to label and reorganize some of the wiring back there. Thanks for visiting!
Glad to help! One word of caution, though: Make sure you test drive before you buy and make it a point to fiddle with the "buttons" on the steering wheel and touchscreen controls. I've read that they're WAY too sensitive and subject to lots of accidental selections. Thanks for visiting!
My 2013 MK6 GTI MT @63k miles has only failed "reliably". i.e. The water pump failed, which I knew was an issue with these cars, and the intake manifold failed twice. All were replaced under warranty, the car has never left me stranded. The 2nd manifold failed at around 60k miles so while it was in the shop I had the valves cleaned. One other thing...the headfliner is starting to sag and I'm thinking about replacing it myself. I'm also planning on replacing the pcv valve and the injectors myself as preventative maintenance. I change the oil every 5k. I love this car.
I hate to say it, but the issues on the Mk5 and Mk6 GTIs were among the reasons I stayed away. The Mk7 was said to be a huge improvement over its predecessors, mechanically speaking. I think the same could be true of the Mk8 vs. the Mk7, but the verdict is still out on the electronics, though. Thanks for sharing.
Well, if your car haven't left you stranded with the issues it's a reliable car, I was a Honda owner at one point it had tons if issues but the engine kept going that's reliable. As long as your engine running and you can go from A to B despite all the issues we'll your car is reliable 👌
Great video. My '12 Jetta has treated me very well so far. Only very minor issues. Interesting note - my Dad's and roommate both have Audis which have not been as reliable. You'd expect the premium brand of VW to perform better with higher quality parts, but I guess not! Appreciate the Sarah reference. I love her! Her videos kill me. :)
Back in the 1990's (and surrounding 2000s?), buying an Audi was a guaranteed headache! I can speak for today, but I'd hope the current generation of Audis are every bit as good as today's VW's. Thanks for visiting.
I have a 2012 Jetta base that I've had for 4 years at 170k miles. It had a minor issue with a bushing when I first got it, and then the ignition coil pack went out just a few days ago. I fixed it myself for about $30 in 15 minutes. Other than that, absolutely 0 issues in those 4 years. It's been so amazingly reliable that I just picked up another 2012 TDI. My only "problem" with the base model is that one of the running lights doesn't always stay running. It works sometimes, then it randomly goes out and will come back on later. I'm sure it can be fixed but it's so minor that I hadn't bothered with it in these 4 years.
I've had 12 VAG cars... didn't regret any of them, even our 2004 Touareg which had low ratings but we had it 14 years without problems except pretty much the first year.. Even after 220k miles, only did a drive shaft, fuel pump and alternator.
I have a 2014 jetta tdi here in the philppines and it ages nicely, no issues. Imagine humid, hot heavy traffic, bad roads with potholes. Going 10 yrs old. Althouugh i do scotty kilmers at205 yearly on suspension rubbers. For most part been great car. Only thing broke was fuel lid actuator and that was because during covid time nobody went out, causing the lock servo to seized. Other than that great car. Just be stringent on following service scheds
European cars are not forgiving to those who don't keep up with prescribed maintenance. You seem to be someone who takes good care of their car. Thanks for visiting!
Good video with common sense information. My wife and I have owned 6 VW's and 5 Audi's to date. Currently I have a 2019 GTi and she has a 2019 A4 Quattro. We're now both retired so our mileage is drastically down from the years when working. All of our VW's/Audi's have been reliable from a "never failing to start and get us where we needed to go" standpoint but one was much more problematic and that was my 2006 B6 Passat with the 3.6L. That was the first year VW separated the Passat from the Audi platform and frankly the B6 was not well sorted or ready for prime time. That was the only VW/Audi we owned with numerous nagging little issues and it was the only VW/Audi I was happy to get rid of. That car was turned in for a new 2009 A4 2.0T with the sport package which was a great car to drive and we kept that car until trading it for a 2017 A4. Our first VW's were a 2000 Passat GLX sedan and a 2000 Passat GLX wagon and both were trouble free. I moved to a 2003 Passat W8 sport package and the wife a 2004 A6 and again no issues. The W8 was a very enjoyable to drive and interesting car but frankly the engine did make me nervous for long term ownership mostly because it was difficult to service being crammed into the Passat's engine bay. The W8 was traded in for the 2006 B6 - ouch! Like you we drive our cars gently until fully warmed up and they are maintained by the book or ahead of schedule with VW/Audi parts with the one exception being our 2019 A4. We had chronic brake issues from delivery with that car but it sat on a dealers lot for 4 months without being moved and I believe that was the issue. The brakes squealed in cold weather when coming to a stop and when the dealer tried to correct the issue the brakes developed pulsation in the steering wheel when stopping. Several trips and lame attempts to fix by the dealer led me to buy new Zimmerman rotors for all 4 wheels and PowerStop Z17 ceramic pads. The Audi dealer wouldn't work with us on price but the VW dealer where we purchased my GTi has an exceptional service department and they did the labor for us with our parts in the trunk and the entire job cost less than $1,000. The brakes so far have been perfect but I took the time to do the recommended bedding-in process as specified by PowerStop. For certain Toyota's are the most trouble free vehicles manufactured but we find them boring and uninspiring. If you're looking to drive a nice vehicle that provides comfortable transportation at the lowest possible cost then Toyota is tough to beat. If you desire more from your vehicle, and are willing to respect it and service it properly then VW/Audi's can be a rewarding choice.
"Boring and uninspiring" is a great way to describe Toyotas. Toyota fans just don't understand. HAHA! Still, I may find myself in a Toyota someday. Hopefully, though, my GTI still has some years ahead of it. Thanks for visiting!
An excellent video and you make some very good points. My experience has not been so positive. I had 2 VW Golfs from new and they both had plenty of issues even though I maintained the cars perfectly with the dealer and drove them gently. I purchased Honda's subsequently, and they were better but not perfect. I have now purchased a new T-Roc (I'm in Australia) and hope that I have a better run with it.
2013 Tiguan with a 2.0 TSI.... over 308,000 km....two turbos replaced under warranty... a couple of sets of plugs, a couple of coils, a couple of camshaft position sensors, a pvc valve and numerous REGULAR oil changes using VW oil.... no problems. Still on original timing chain and injectors. I had it since 31,000km. Rock solid reliability. I'd have another in a heartbeat.
2014 Passat 1.8 TSI engine. Kept up with regular maintenance nothing extreme. Car still runs like the first day I got it and has 95k miles on it. Oil changes every 7-8k miles on average and mostly highway miles. Got a 2022 VW Atlas 2.5 yrs ago, hoping to do atleast 15 years/200k miles on both cars. Love VW so far!!
It's because of your advice that I've been waiting for temps to reach 180F when I first drive off and I must thank you for that. I also feel that my Mk7 is very reliable and will continue to be so as long as I keep up with the maintenance. Thanks for the video. Cheers!
My late dad was a diesel and hydraulics mechanic. His advice were to never over reverse a cold engine. Strangely my 2016 Volkswagen automatically limits my revs to 4000 after a cold start. But even that is too much for me. After starting up l wait for the engine to reach 90 degrees Celsius before allowing higher revolutions.
First time owner VW '13 tiguan. Bouught out door shady corner lot 8k. 150k miles. In ten months for tires $500, water pump installed myself 400 bucks. New battery $200. Rear caliper complete 850. Brakes all the way around 400 bucks. Timing chain this spring $2500. For under $13 k i have an awesome, incredibly well-built and fun to drive luxury auto. When I asked a friends who specialize in these cars do they just break down? His response was no, they just need a little more attention in maintenance and preventative repairs. This vehicle is by far the finest driving machine i have ever owned. In 40 years and 20 some odd vehicles owned-including a number of exceedingly reliable Toyota products-the driving experience in this worn out VW outweighs these minor conveniences. Also I absolutely agree that reliability means stranded or keep going! this vehicle has not let me down yet! Peace friends!
I have a 2019 base auto Jetta S. It does have the transmission 'growl' but other than some minor issues (distance sensor becoming misaligned), it's been trouble free for almost 5 years. I do take very good care of it and usually get the oil changed every 5,000 miles which is well before the maintenance minder alerts me that the oil needs replacement. I also periodically check the engine bay and verify all of the fluids, which is usually once a month.
Thanks for sharing that. I didn't think to mention my wife's 2018 Jetta SE. It's had two wheel sensor failures and one headlight housing LED failure, all covered under that model year's excellent warranty. I'm cleaning the sunroof drains now. Otherwise, a good car. Thanks for visiting!
Having owned over 10 Volkswagen cars for the last 35 years. I've only had one car that gave me problems which was a 1992 VW Corrado SLC. The other cars have gone over 100k miles with no real problems. I currently have a 2019 VW Jetta GLI DSG.
Ive had Rsx w over 180k and integra before. Got a golf 1.4 w low miles. Very impressed overall w this car. Might do stage 1 tune. Great info on your channel thanks!
My wife's car has a 1.4T. I thought about a tune, but only briefly. She doesn't use the power; plus, she'd be upset with needing premium fuel. So, stock it stays. Thanks for visiting!
The only repair that caught me off guard.... was when the slave cylinder ruptured and leaked causing the clutch pedal to stop functioning and the car stopped as a result. $50 part cost almost $2k since I had to do the clutch as well since the transmission has to come out to get to the slave cylinder. Every other time that the car went down was my own error :P.
Dad and I are driving our 17 th VW. Dad started in 1951 and I started in 1968. Never had a lemon. One leak or two over the decades. Use OEM and use LiquiMoly oil with the VW/Audi seal of approval. Great cars!
Cars are consumables to be used. Take care of them and like your leak, you see the issues before they become massive problems and therefore reliability is maintained 🤷♂️ I wholeheartedly agree with you on all points and since reliability is my Paramount concern outside of just enjoying a decent, extremely versatile car, I have left my car completely stock outside of getting better than oem tires.
Agreed! Back when my 1998 Jetta TDI was new, I had a friend tell me that I shouldn't commute in it (50 miles each way) and that I should get a junker instead. Well, a junker could leave me stranded. I told him, "I bought this car to be driven." I had no idea that I'd keep it for 20 years and drive it 445,000 miles! I don't expect to keep this car for as long, but I do still feel that they're to be driven, not stored or trailered. ;-) I will really break some purists' hearts if I ever get my hands on a Golf R and treat it the way I do this GTI. HAHA!
@@StealthGTI I feel that. Pre covid I was averaging 20,000 miles a year so at this point I'd be closer to 60000 miles... I also live in Michigan with below-freezing temperatures and salt on the roads every single year so that tends to aggravate those same people you're talking about haha. I just don't want to maintain two vehicles at this point in my life. I want something with the most versatility and functionality coupled with enjoyment in a reasonably small footprint... to enjoy daily, not struggle through till the weekend. I work every day but Sunday right now 😅.
Not sure if you know this or not but consumer reports does not count a blown speaker with the same severity as they would a blown headgasket. The exception is if blown speakers affected many more customers compared to an extremely small number of those who had a bad headgasket (like maybe due to a bad batch that affected a small number vs a bad design that affected a large number).
I couldn’t agree with you more. I have a 15 Autobahn that is about to hit 100k. Stage 2, but try to drive sensible. Only issue just recently was Alternator died. (Which still didn’t leave me stranded) Oil change every 5k with OEM hardware and LM. DSG every 40K. I’m extremely happy with the reliability so far. Hope I can say that at 150k? I appreciate your videos. I also appreciate that your car has more miles than mine for now. So, if you can go stage 3, maybe I can to. Lol
How have you enjoyed the is38? Compared to is20? I am sure you lost some low end, but does the top end worth the loss down low? What is your max boost on is38 Would you do it again? Or keep it juicy down low?
I have been recently looking for a more recent station wagon and reliability,Confort and guaranteed parts availability were what i was looking for.i settled for a 2015 VW Passat variant 1.6tdi with 100000miles and it is an amazing car,looks and feels brand new,not a single rattle or squeak it just feels solid
I bought a 2014 VW Golf 7 1.2 TSI out the box and drove her like a baby and meticulously maintained her, so I could give her to my daughter when she goes to study. The car started giving problems after 100000km with coils failing, then catalytic converter, then timing belt & tensioners, then insane oil use together with the turbo failing! I.t.o reliability - the worst car I ever owned. I.t.o drivability and efficiency = awesome!
2014 Passat SE w/roof 1.8 EA888 auto trans, bought new Feb, 2014. Currently 165,093 Miles. ZERO squeaks and rattles repl pcv, 5K Oil changes . Not as fun as my new 2011 GTI w/DSG but rock solid. Thats my story
The GTI is a fun car, for sure. I suspect the Passat is quite comfortable. Too bad it's been discontinued in the US, though I suspect that today's Jetta is as large as the Passat that we had 20 years ago. Thanks for visiting!
@StealthGTI Got to tell you that I'm surprised at the quality, solidity, economy and reliability and totally sqeak/rattle free. Hope I can make it to 200K or maybe more. I think BG additives for oil ( ERP, MOA) and fuel (44K) might have helped. No association with them other than a customer of their products. 165,210 miles No, these B7 Passats are much larger than all generations of Jettas
I have a 2019 Jetta SE and it has 80k on it. The only issue is the torque converter winds between 4 & 5 gear. I googled it and there’s a class action lawsuit because of that. So I drive in sport mode and don’t experience that noise. Hopefully it holds up in sport mode
Just replaced the thermostat housing last week @ 69000 km (43k miles) on my 2017 mk7 golf with OEM approved parts. As a VW owner for the first time, I have few questions and Ill be grateful if you answer them: 1- should I expect the thermostat / pump combo to fail again? When? 2- what other major issues should I expect? Up here in Toronto Canada, we get winters with temperatures of -21C (-5.8 F). My routine morning engine warming takes 12 to 16 minutes. I wouldn't dare drive off even so gently after 30 sec only. Drawing on my experience at power stations where we used to start steam and gas turbines sometimes from "cold iron" state, I learned how crucial it is to gradually warm up the machine till we reach operating temperature before loading the machine. This is for allowing gradual metal expansion to maintain proper clearances, and for protecting bearing surfaces we always warm up lube oil and pump it through the machine even before starting the turning gear. How much of that would apply to VWs? I always warm up my cars completely before putting it in "D". Thanks.
Thanks for the note, Nidal. The water pump has seen revisions over the lifecycle of the Mk7. Hopefully, you have the most recent revision (another reason why I prefer the dealer for some parts) and the new part will last longer than the original. As for slow warm-ups, you make a compelling point. I suspect that putting a load on your power generation units would be as similar for them as the strain of our cars cruising at 100 mph (160 kph). I certainly wouldn't advocate going 100 mph after just a brief warm-up. I'm sure the owner's manual says to "start and drive" (paraphrasing); but owner's manuals also have attorney intervention, environmental oversight, and want to have us do things that maximize fuel economy (which idling does not). If I lived where temps drop as far below freezing as you describe, I'd probably warm the car for about 5 minutes while clearing the car, then drive slowly, all with the heater OFF. Remember, any heat that you pull through your vents will take heat away from the cooling system. Yes, the cooling system keep the engine from overheating, but it also warms the engine when it's cold. I opt to leave as much heat in the coolant as I can until the temperature needle raises a bit. Thanks for visiting!
I got an OBDeleven partially because I wanted to turn on "central locking with ignition" which let's you start the car and then get out and lock it (I have push button start) I am not good at letting it warm up every time but I rarely ever rush when I first start it. I'm in Michigan and it's been single digits (°f) My sunroof had the bezel crack but my water pump gasket is still going strong (2018 Autobahn manufactured in mid 2017) @25,000 miles. It sat for 2 years before I bought it new in July of 2019 with exactly 300 miles intending to keep it long term so I'm not usually an ass to it lol. I do DEFINITELY give it the beans semi regularly though 😆
Very good review. Everything he says makes sense. I'm concerned about VW reliability, but I don't have any real proof either way. I'm like most people I don't have confidence in them, but maybe they're fine.
Yes! I don't even have bad light bulbs with my VWs. Yet, I see newer cars on the road with just one functioning tail light. I don't get it. I guess I'm lucky! Thanks for visiting!
I have a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen SE and the dealership near me want to sell me oil and other additives to the synthetic oil change. The screen for the panoramic roof is broken was estimated up to $1000 from the dealer for replacement. As much as I like bells and whistles, I finally see the light. All the bells and whistles, sensors, LED lights, displays if they malfunction, prematurely dies you're in for some expensive repair bills.
Agree with you 100% on reliability. If you ever come to WA state, do it after July 4 and before August. August usually wild fire month so air can be real smoky.
@@StealthGTI I assume you like sunshine. In Seattle, there is even a term Juneuary 🤣 where you have gloomy days for a few days straight. After July 4, is typically when the sunshine starts. You should check out Chuckanut drive to enjoy the GTi here. It’s a pretty drive towards Bellingham with tight turns. There is an oyster farm and shop as a bonus as well if you like oysters.
I consider my 2019 Jetta reliable even though I had to replace the gas tank, 2 days, free vw atlas rental, under warranty. Now 5 years old so new battery, $450 and front brakes, $380. I am another Sarah fan and she nailed the review of the Jetta. 46 mpg on my first highway trip to Atlantic City and back to Philadelphia. 6 year warranty thanks to dieselgare. 2vws on 10 least reliable consumer reports, jeeps 10 and 9 Jetta #8! I agree with you.
Thanks, John! My wife's 2018 just left its warranty last month. The check engine light was on within two weeks! HAHA! The scan showed something petty that may have been a fluke. Thanks for visiting!
I’m the second owner of a 2005 1.8t GTI (MK4) with 210 k mi. Only very minor issues. No probs with engine, man transmission, turbo. I think it’s important to not get the first couple years of a cars run bc all manufacturers have more probs with the first 2-3 years of a model run.
I have been driving VW for 50 years. I taught my wife how to tune up and adjust the valves on our 67 VW Bus in 1978. We had driven from California to Costa Rica. In case anything happened to me, I wanted to be sure she could make it back home with the kids. She tuned those valves finer than I ever could and she had never worked on a car before in her 24 year old life. Central America is just one mountain after another, and that '67 Bus was awesome. I had seen a small book in the used book bin at my favorite bookstore in '73. The title of the book was " Small Wonder ". It was a promo for Volkswagons. 6 months later we bought a '67 Bus with a brand new engine in it, for $500 ! Today, that same car sells for $50,000. Maintained, you cannot do any better, especially for the money. So sad to hear that VW is shutting down in Germany, but their plant in Puebla México is still up and running. Buy one ❤, if you can.
@@butchmitch731 Very sad to hear that, vw it's still undeniable one of the best cars being built now a days. So many cheaply built cars! I hope they close the one in Mexico instead 🙏
I like your throttle management. I tried to be gentle until warmed but often "Give it the Sarah N Tuned Beans" not because I’m in a rush, but only for fun😃 I have a 2016 SQ5 (kind of a VW). At 90k miles, it’s drivetrain is rock solid. Only persistent annoyance has been the the door handles. The driver door had an electrical glitch and was clicking on and off when driving. That was replaced, now I hear clicking from the rear drivers door. Annoying.
Thanks for sharing! I'd love to have an SQ5. The Tiguan is attractive, but too much of a loss of power after this GTI. Power-wise, the SQ5 would give me what I crave; I just cannot justify the price. HAHA! The post right below yours mentioned Audis and problems. As for door handles, I've noticed that mine will unlock or lock if I'm close by and it's raining, snowing, or I'm washing the car. Some conveniences are inconvenient. LOL!
Mine has been fine so far. I am at 78000 miles so far in my 2019 Jetta GLI Manual. I have had no actual problems that were reliability issues. I have just done routine oil changes, brakes and tires. The issue I have been dealing with was damage to the plastic oil pan. That was an issue with something in the road though not a car reliability issue. I have had a new oil pan installed but they put a third party oil drain plug in and they leak. Only use genuine OEM oil drain plugs and you should be ok. Overall I am very pleased with the reliability.
Excellent report. Check out ECS Tuning to see if they have a Street Shield for your car. I installed Street Shields on both my car and my daughter's Golf. Thanks for visiting!
I have a 2017 GTI S trim DSG with 65K miles and it’s been headache free (crossing my fingers). No rattles, no squeaking, no electrical issues. Non whatsoever. Engine is still torquey as heck and it’s still fun to drive. My only “complaint” is its catchy transmission. It seems to always want to upshift to lower the RPM. Annoying to be honest, but once you switch to sport mode, the car comes alive. I’d like some advice if the transmission issue is normal or if there’s something I could do to address it. Thanks
The factory programming will always favor maximum fuel economy, which will constantly drive the transmission into top gear. You'll either have to drive it in Sport mode to keep it in the gear that you want or consider a TCM program from a reputable tuner. I like APR. A TCM tune may keep the DSG in a gear that revs a hair higher. But I'm not sure since I drive a manual and have no DSG experience. Thanks for visiting!
So far I've one 1973 VW Super Beetle, 1980 Scirocco, 2015 Golf TDI, 2018 Golf TSI gas, manual, now-2021 Golf TSI gas manual....No problems. Treat them right, regular oil change, rotate tires, no jack rabbit off the line, don't push the red line, shift gears....these cars will last...thanks for a good video...
I wish I could say the same about my 2015 TSI Golf. I have given the best treatment to this car and it have given me many problems in return. I have not have a good experience with these cars, old or new.
VWs in the Uk and Europe have a good reputation. Im running multiple VAG group cars, and pretty happy. I have an 05GTI and beat it daily. It starts on the button even if sat for a few weeks, even in cold or wet weather. I would like to see an EV do this.
Good long term results with VW bought new or slightly used because I was satisfied with the service history. All my German cars have been satisfying to own (VW, BMW, Mercedes, Audi) but agree that timely maintenance and respectful driving (the Brits called this “mechanical sympathy”) are key to reasonable operating costs and vehicle longevity.
I owned a used 2007 Passat wagon I purchased in 2011. It was the second worse vehicle I owned after my 1985 Jeep Cherokee. I could not get rid of it fast enough. I loved the car itself and driving it but it was not reliable at all. To say that as long as it started it is reliable. Mine had to be towed into the dealer once because though it started, it wouldn’t drive beyond idle for a block due to some electrical issue. That and that the windows would start to go down on their own while driving in the rain. Rust was also a major issue. I have never owned a car that rust more than anything since my 1972 Ford Courier. And the rust was under the paint and not due to chipping or scratches. Similar to my Jeep YJ and Cherokee.
I have an Audi that I purchased new in 2016. Haven't had a single issue with it yet. The Audi that I owned before that I kept for 5 years before selling it and that one also never had a single issue.
2015 tdi sel jetta 6sm. 133k no issues at all. Changed waterpump that was leaking at 96k so had timing belt changed. Too bad they stopped selling diesels in USA because of dieselgate. Still under warranty until 162k.
I drove TDIs for 20 years and was quite proud of my MPGs. The GTI immediately convinced me to wonder, "Why did I wait so long to get a GTI?" I don't care about economy now. HAHA! This thing is still fun, even after seven years and 213,000 miles! Thanks for visiting!
I have a 2023 VW Golf that has had software issues from he start. Gateway was replaced at 1500 miles and software updated, however problems continued. VW now saying issue does not show on their system even when I have video ro show the problem
I just traded my 2020 Tiguan S four motion all wheel drive for a new 2024 Jetta SEL . I liked the Tiguan but I had issues with my air conditioning system ( fan blower motor) went out three times. The Jetta I just got is amazing 🤩 and the technology in this car is awesome 😎
Congratulations on your purchase! Not to be a bedwetter, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the blower motor is the same across all of the MQB cars. Not to worry, though: Even if the blower is not as reliable as we had hoped, at least VW made it cheap, quick, and easy to replace. I've replaced two in my 233,000 miles. Thanks for visiting!
I have a 2016 gti it has 230,000 miles on it since I bought it everyday I use it, still runs beautifully, I went through 3 clutches, 1 water pump, 1 alternator, countless tires nothing major has happens to it, yes I can say it’s really reliable
Excellent! I think about my alternator, especially with all the abuse that I subject it to with my extra electronics equipment. I'm at 230,000+, too! Thanks for visiting!
As the man said, it’s all about experience. I wouldn’t go into euro cara after owning GM or asian cars. I’ve been thru a 98 gol, 02’ polo, 09’ jetta, 13’ jetta, 14’ eos and finally 19’ gti. Gol and 09 jetta were sold because I didn’t use them most of the time. The 09 jettas only fault was a smelly a/c. The 02 polo is still running to this day, only clutch pump and windows actuators have need to be replaced . The 13 jetta had the intake manifold damaged from previous owner. Only fault Ive faced is throttle body and crankshaft sensor replacement. It’s sitting at 136k miles. Meanwhile my 2014 eos has had it’s problems, but again, all because my negligence. It comes with dsg transmission and I didn’t give it the proper maintenance. So the gearbox went out at around 45k miles. Had to get a new one. Second fault is I had to replace the 4 injectors because I used to use gas treatments and bad quality gas. So leaving aside negligence now with around 70k miles, the 2014 eos with the 2.0t and dsg is actually pretty reliable. Now, my 2019 gti is barely 56k miles and it’s only normal maintenance.
Scotty Kilmer posted a video in which he discusses problem areas with the 2.5L. Search his channel for info. His thumbnails are pretty click-baity; so, don't be too alarmed when you see an image that'll make you feel like you bought a ticking time bomb. ;-) Watch the video (I haven't), note his remarks, and keep them tucked away i case you have troubles. Thanks for visiting!
I just test drove a Taos and...I really liked it. Did some research though and the head gasket issues seem very real. Add to that some brake and electronic issues reported. Really a shame. I'm not sure I want to take a chance on a 24' assuming the problems have been fixed. May just go in the complete opposite direction and pick a boring Toyota Corolla Hybrid.
2013 gti owner, bought used with 44k miles, 118k now. Have only had one issue, a coilover failed, essy fix. One of the most reliable vehicles I have owned, just starts and runs every day. Burns some oil which is to be expected for this engine.
My VW Polo 2010 with 220.000km also still works. However, the timing chain has elongated and I got lucky that the engine didn´t blow. I chose a base model with 60HP without a turbo so less parts can brake. The catalytic converter is also done this year. Besides that everything is fine. So cars like anything else can last for quite some long time if you take care of it. However just this week I have bought a Toyota Corolla Hatchback Hybrid. I love this car. And I will be selling my trusty 14 year old Polo.
@@sierraecho884 - I've considered a Prius. The latest version has good looks and more power than before. I like that I could run the AC while parked without idling the engine, but the system would automatically start the engine to recharge the battery, if needed. I don't know about the car's cargo carrying capacity, though, such as rooftop rack and a trailer hitch. Believe it or not, those are important to me, even with a small car. Thanks for the suggestion. -Scott
I have a very rare 2013 Wolfsburg edition Passat/ black and my only issue with it is they have way too many sensors for now reason = I have air bag / brakes / traction/ and 2 other lights on over a right rear speed sensor = plus you can not put updated Zeno lights in all is halogen
Ah yes! A faulty speed sensor can create plenty of fault indications on just about any car. Thankfully, the repair is not too awful. Thanks for visiting!
I am on my second Jetta. Volkswagens are wonderful cars if you take care of them. I take my car to the dealer on time for all of the scheduled maintenance.
It can be a crap-shoot for sure. My wife's 2018 Jetta has had two wheel sensors fail, as well as an LED in one of the headlight housings (required a new housing). Thankfully, it's all been fixed under warranty, which will expire for us in May 2024. Thanks for visiting!
As someone who has a MK6 2.5. I can say from my experience VWs are pretty reliable. The problems they have are that their parts break due to time. Sometimes it just happens that a part will fail and a cascade effect will happen that damages other parts. There are a few oarts I suggest any Volkswagen owner who owns a 100k+ vehicle should replace. First replace the shocks and struts with coilovers. The OEM setup corrodes and rusts easily and has a high failure rate. Second. Replace the engine and transmission mounts. They are rubber and just like tires, that rubber begins to break down after 4+ years. Lastly. Keep up with maintenance and replace worn parts. Volkswagens do not tolerate neglect. You will pay with your pocketbook. It is also a good idea to learn how to do the maintenance yourself if you can. It will save a lot of money in the long run.
Thanks for your report. Oddly enough, I just had my car inspected by a trusted mechanic to ensure that my own inspection did not miss anything. He said everything looks great, including my ORIGINAL suspension, mounts, axles, and ball joints. I specifically asked, "Did you drive the car? What did you think?" He said that he wouldn't change a thing. The car has 228,000 miles. AMAZING that my underbody parts haven't failed yet. Thanks for visiting!
We have 4 VW's , our EOS with the 3.2VR6 is at 228km with no issues, our B6 Passat 3.2VR6 at 118km no issues and a 2016 TSI Tiguan at 98km all ok and a Mk6 Golf TSI (not a Twin Charger) at 136km all ok. None of them use oil between changes
My Dad still drives my Grandfathers 1960 VW Bug convertible. Its 62 years old, on its origianl engine and trans, and nothing but routine maintenance, which is allot due to everything being mechanical and needs manual adjustments. Cars can last if taken care of. "Reliability" is very subjective. I tell people, the only car that has ever left me stranded on the side of the road was a Toyota Corolla. Do I think Toyota's are not good? Of course not, its just to say, you can have a problem with any car. As a general rule of thumb, most cars will last if you take care of them.
I bought new VW GTI in 2012. I replaced battery and 2 water pumps. . 150K now and still original brake pads rotors, clutch. All I do regarding maintenance are engine oil changes. That all. 😅
I will say I would never do oil changes at 10k. Rule of thumb in my family for all our Toyotas and Hondas and Volkswagens and Fords alike has been every 5000 miles if using full synthetic oil, and 3000 if using standard. We’ve never had a breakdown and both my vehicles are running great at 104k for my Toyota and 227k for my ford. Meticulous maintenance will save you headache in the long run.
I will change my habit if Blackstone's report says that I should. As mentioned in the video, my TDI lasted over 445,000 miles on 10k drains and still had excellent compression when I sold it. Thanks for visiting!
3000k for standard oil is not needed, its not 1980 anymore, oils have improved and so have engines, your wasting your money doing it every 3000miles. you should be getting 5,000 miles out of standard oil.
I love VW and Audi. I might have never bought a German car if my wife did not accidentally get a Jetta then Beetle from her Dad just randomly when we were still dating. And I found them to be fairly decent and reliable overall. Now I jumped in an S4. But I know the problem areas and plan to take care of them ahead of time.
On my second VW jetta first one 16 Hybrid only a couple small things battery (under the hood not the hybrid battery) went replaced under warranty CPO warranty covered both blind spot monitors in each mirror with a $50 deductible traded at 72k for 2020 RLine 62k 0 issues so far. Love the redesign of the 2025 SEL Jetta not big on the haptic controls versus buttons and the tablet on the dash though. Came from Hyundai before just the laziest service after the sale I've seen in 40 years of driving. I can say I would buy another VW tomorrow as they seem to try a bit harder after you drive it off the lot.
I spent $500 for the 40k major service interval (iridium plugs), 5k oil changes. 2018 Jetta 1.4 SE 5sp now with 69k and a double warranty (6yrs 72k). Warranty fixes: dry coolant found on radiator seam (replaced radiator), oil leak (pcv related), drivers seat heater. That's all. I hate ethanol so I run ethanol free 91. Expensive? 39.1 mpg avg since day 1. Zero oil burn. I go to an Audi.VW specialty shop that uses Liqui Moly oil. Recently bought Rain-X silicone wiper driver side (Bosch was made in china, not buying it). Summer tires are Conti Extreme DSW, excellent in rain and rated at 168mph so I can do cloverleafs at 40+ if I want to. Winter tires are Michelin X-ice. Temp engine mod is Liquimoly Speed Tec for a 0.1 tune :-). Been on 1,000 and 1,500 mile road trips. Wanted to outrun a thunderstorm so I set cruise to 83 from Colorado towards Minnesota. Really like it so far, carplay needs Apple certified cable, Biggest gripe: the other drivers.
I think the more relevant question is whether or not modern Volkswagens are durable. There is a difference. Having been an owner of American, Japanese and German cars including Volkswagen, I can say with experience that the durability of German cars is not what it used to be. My first car was an original beetle, which would just keep running and lasted decades. The only issues with it were the lack of interior heat or air conditioning, so it got replaced. If you survey the cars in the parking lots when you are out and about (which I do, because I like cars and the auto industry), it’s easy to find older Japanese cars that people are still using and it’s hard to find older Volkswagens still being used. Durability is important to consumers because a car purchase is pretty expensive. Lack of durability is far more expensive than lack of reliability. One other observation I have made over the recent two decades is that issues with tires has gone way up, and it’s not because of the quality of the tires, but because there just seems to be a lot of fasteners falling out of the beds of handyman’s pickup trucks that land on our roadways. The other issue is with modern car batteries. They just don’t seem to last anymore, even when you keep them on a trickle charger. Too many people I know have had there car battery randomly develop an internal short and just instantly die, requiring the car to be towed and serviced. What’s up with that? I hope people don’t blame the automobile manufacturer for these type of issues, but I am sure some do. I am not sure what has happened with the battery manufacturers. The new trend that I now see with newer cars (and I have been a victim of this, in terms of durability) is the increased use of plastic components in the engine bays of cars. Mechanics are seeing this across the board and it is causing lots of issues. They are recommending buying older cars to avoid the problems.
Thanks for your detailed comment! I think you'd have to buy a very old car to avoid plastics in the engine bay. And I agree with your observation that VWs are not common on long trips. My daughter and I did a 4000 mile trip years ago. We were in my 15 year old Jetta and wanted to count how many others we could see. The answer was ONE... and it was on a tow truck bed. HAHA! Thanks for visiting!
It depends on your location and your goals. If you're in the US, skip the 2014 since it's the Mk6 platform. The Mk7 is worth the upgrade! What about the infotainment system? Do you like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto? If yes, then you need at least a 2017. Otherwise, just about anything 2015 and later will be good, so long as the car has been properly maintained. Good Luck!
This man is preaching the truth. Amen
HAHA! THANKS!
I question all these people who love Tesla cars but nobody says what new battery costs . Look after your car it will last for a very long time.
@@georgevavoulis4758no always. Have you seen the Kia lawsuits with the engines.
Also "mismanaging time" thing is spot on !! Very wise
not many people keep there cars very long, so why would they care how long the battery lasts??? duh! and 2nd there is no such thing as the grass is 'greener' between EV's and gas cars! and 3rd, you said 'but nobody' says what batteries cost,! um NO! that is not true! you have a very WEAK point, so troll on else where! you trolls are a 'dime a dozen' @@georgevavoulis4758
A lot of , Volkswagen mechanics would say generally they only see the bad vehicles because people don’t keep up maintenance on the , Volkswagen’s
European cars are not forgiving to owners who postpone or neglect to perform their required maintenance. That's for sure! Thanks for visiting!
This goes for every vehicle. Toyotas also break because people don´t change oil
@@sierraecho884 oil since the first oil change with mobile one I've been changing and now I have 330,000 and still going
@@sierraecho884 Now sure on how a car is going to "break" because people don't change their oil regardless of the manufacturer.
If you ever heard anything about lifetime transmission fluid it is the most vile, heinous and despicable thing a car maker could ever tell you!! Really 60,000 miles is a really long interval. I would also urge you not to be one of those people trying to get 100,000 miles out of that fluid. Maybe you will but maybe that transmission will fail around that time! If it is a DSG the changes are mandatory at 40,000 if you want to keep it running! I would even do the change sooner if it seems to need it! A transmission is a notoriously expensive and difficult part to replace!! Having one fail could only be worse on a busy road or highway because it can lock up. Also you would not want to have it fail when you are somewhere somewhat far from home. Hopefully instead it happens near a car dealer who has a good price on a vehicle to maybe get you out of that horrible situation.
Got a 2016 Passat with 135,000 miles on it. Only routine maintenance at the dealership. Front brakes replaced at 85,000 miles, rear still good. Absolutely no issues.
Good to hear! I don't hear much about the Passats. Now they're gone. You may have a unicorn someday. Thanks for visiting!
What engine ?
@@nickelarcade6934 it has the 1.8 TSI. I used to consistently get 42 on the highway but now it's 38 tp 39.
@@rjkubr that’s pretty amazing. I have a 2018 GTI and I can get 36 mpg on our trips to Vegas.
I have one with 171k miles on it and absolutely no major problems! Other than GDI maintenance and replacing the fuel door
I have a 2017 1.6 tdi Seat Leon. It’s a Uk car with VAG mechanicals. I’m at 95k miles. Only thing replaced on the car other than regular maintenance items was an inner driveshaft seal at 86k. In April it will have its Cambelt and water pump replaced on its 5th birthday. It’s been very reliable so far.
Thanks for sharing your experience! Take Care!
So far I have owned five Volkswagens so far (2 air cooled). I have always had good luck with them. I drove my 1972 Beetle for almost 34 years and my 2001 Jetta GL for 14 years. VW's hold up very well if taken care of properly. My 2020 Passat SE has also been trouble free at 35,000+ miles.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
I just had my steering wheel replace on a brand new 2024 Toyota Camry 2000 miles
You had VW's made years ago but sadly nowadays all vehicles are made with cheap parts and although they are much safer and usually less polluting they have other issues as they quickly age poorly.
2021 Passat here, my fourth VW…my 13 tdi had issues I couldn’t resolve, so ended up with a Hyundai then as soon as I could I ran back to VW, lol. I think maintenance is key and I change my oil every 3000-5000 miles, and try my best to do the maintenance as prescribed. 52,000 miles and so far so good. I plan on having my transmission fluid changed early as well, and the timing chain too.
See my recent 7yr/200k video for comments about the timing chain. I need to change my transmission fluid! Thanks for visiting!
Have a 13 TDI right now, any common problems or things to look out for that you saw?
@@snowball4416 DPF filter can crack, as well as manifold, mine lost boost and at 160,000 it needed a new turbo. Its good until its not.
@@DJonathanHayes76 Thanks, got 99,000 on mine right now, just replaced the timing belt, hoping to squeeze everything I can out of it, drives like a dream, thoroughly pleased with it so far.
@@snowball4416 I loved mine but at 160,000 I couldn't get it fixed and it was stalling on the highway, so I had to get another vehicle. I wanted to do the DPF delete. Maybe one day I can find another one.
American buyers generally don’t care to maintain their cars. They also like to buy cars they can’t afford to maintain. It’s common knowledge. Of course there are lots of lemons out there, but with the number of people that wait till they see a check engine light before they even do an oil change, no wonder so many cars are “unreliable.” Toyota/Honda still deserve a lot of credit for building such neglect-resistant vehicles but even then they still fail
Toyota are awesome cars for people who don't maintain their cars, that's for sure! ;-) Thanks for visiting!
They arent just "neglect resistant". Because if you DO take care of them, they can last 500k+ miles. They are simply better made vehicles all around.
Im not being judgmental about individual preferences here. If you love your BMW/ Volkswagon/ Range Rover/ Subaru/ etc and are willing to spend more time and money maintaining them, thats cool! I respect your decision... but have the decency to be honest with others.
@@alibabaschultz352 I didn’t say Toyota/Honda are purely neglect resistant, of course I know they’re genuinely well-made and use simple tried and true designs which last. My only point is that what often leads to the “unreliable” moniker many cars get is simply neglect/unwillingness to properly maintain a vehicle. That said, a lot of these newer cars with tiny overworked turbocharged engines and stuff like cylinder deactivation etc are often just garbage cars, no two ways about it.
@@kingdeedee I think the entire concept of "reliable" has evolved over the years. If we lived in a utopian society, everything would last forever, without needing any maintenance. You can take that logic and work backwards.
The fact is, literally anything can last forever if you keep "maintaining" it, or even rebuilding it. The distinction is the products that DONT require as much maintenance.
@@alibabaschultz352 yes sure any car can go forever if you really want to invest into it. But I’m not even really talking about “any car” here. I had a VW Passat I drove for 200K miles myself with no serious repairs and I knew it was never known to be the most reliable car. Of course most cars aren’t built to hit 400-500K with original parts like Toyotas have been, but I’m just saying you can absolutely still get great usage out of many many cars as long as you avoid the real notorious lemons. I’m not saying anyone should trust their lives in the hands of a Nissan CVT here
I'm at 79,000 miles in my 17 sport. My car is the exact set up as your. is38 EQT tuned Reflex Silver. My car is DSG. My experience is the EA888 motor is a stout and reliable engine. The DSG gear box handles power and is the only automatic I have ever loved. However there are some weak supporting components that do fail. List of things I have replaced: Waterpump, PCV valve, secondary air valve TWICE, an injector, and I just replaced the coil packs. I'm 57 years old and love this car despite some of it's cheap components. Great review
Thanks for the note! I have wondered about how long my PCV and DV will last. But I've also read that the stock units are best. Take Care!
I just bought a single owner bone stock '17 Sport with 70K miles but an impeccable service history. Also the intake manifold and waterpump have both been replaced in the last 10k miles. Hopefully the PPI is all good.
@@Mk7Poorsche I recommend a carbon cleaning.
For two years, I work as a mechanic in and Import shop. The most common major issue that I came across with four cylinder Volkswagen or Audi was timing chain issues or if someone did not replace the timing belt on schedule. Volkswagen went from a timing belt to a timing chain on the turbo 2.0 L engines and the chain tensioner was not built well. I would personally prefer a timing belt so that it gets replaced regularly and you are less likely to wind up with unexpected issues. My biggest gripe with Volkswagen and Audi was how difficult it was to work on them. The exception was the Jetta and golf. The transverse mounted engines were not as difficult to work on. The Audi TT was like that also.
I think that they started mounting the engine transverse in more models in recent years.
Thanks for sharing your perspective! I'm told that the EA888-3 timing belt tensioners make some noise before failing. I hope that's true. Take Care!
The timing chain is utter garbage. Timing chains can work just fine without the need to replace them however VW really fucked their design up.
This is the biggest issue with their cars here in Germany as well. They probably did that on purpose, the design is just sooo bad I can´t imagine they didn´t notice. I know their engineers, I am an automotive engineer myself, I am sure somebody really fucked up or they did it on purpose.
@@sierraecho884 damn right!
@@StealthGTI yea, but ideally the tensioner should never come close to making noises before a scheduled replacement.
@@aurtisanminer2827 - Agreed - BUT - A little noise is a good tattletale or warning that something needs attention. To me, that's better than "BLAM! Have a nice day!" 😜
I'm a DIY mechanic that work on 99% of car maintenance and repairs at home. You are really spot on about keeping the cars on the road longer.
Thanks! I'm past 211,000 miles now. I have minor reservations before a big trip, but I make sure the oil is good and let 'er rip! ;-) Thanks for visiting!
I have a 2003 Jetta TDI wagon with a 5-soeed stick. I bought it new in January 2003 and it now has 410k miles on it. I had a new clutch put in it, and several sets of tires along the way, but the drivetrain has been flawless. I did change the egr valve 2 times over the years, and it did carbon up at about 365k miles, requiring a new intake manifold. I rebuilt the suspension at about that time, also. Every 100k miles I have the timing belt serviced, including water pump and tensioners. I had a couple of wheel alignments done over the years. The motor and transmission have never been touched. The car gets around 45 mpg in mixed driving, and I have gotten up to 53 miles per gallon driving on long trips. It is the most dependable car I have ever had, and I have been driving for 60 years. PS I have used Amsoil in it since new, changing it every 5k miles. I just hope it keeps going, because cars cost so much now.
The moor oil manufacturing does not matter at all. It´s always the same product as long as it has the VW specification on it. It´s the same oil distributet by different brands.
The ALH era of TDIs has long-been considered the best of the bunch! It'll run forever! Thanks for visiting!
I had a 2002 Golf TDI and totaled it. I still miss that car.
Long live the ALH.
I have only owned TDI’s, four of them. They have all been great. The owner (me) has been the problem, not the cars. I took my 05’ across the country twice. It was north of 300k miles when I did both trips. It was taken off the road at 397k miles when I was t-boned last May, resulting in a total loss! Drive a TDI normally, do the maintenance, and the will last forever.
I had a 1998 Jetta TDI for 20 years. I retired it with 445,000 miles due to rot in the strut towers, a common problem with the Mk3 platform. I sold the car to a B4 Passat owner who wanted my powertrain for his car. It was a great car, but driving modern cars had me wondering how I ever felt safe in my beloved Mk3. HAHA! Thanks for visiting!
Someone offered me a 2014 Jetta TDI with around 60k miles and is relatively cheap. I know I could have a car for many years to come with that mileage. The problem is that the car wasn't driven for over a year. So I know that it will need a lot of work before it's ready to go. I'm afraid that I'll end up paying a lot more because of this. I don't know what to do, my instinct says no but I really like the car.🤔
@@LCdic09Did you go for it?
@@cooncrib00
I think the panoramic sunroof was leaking. Also the cover for that sunroof was broken and there was no shade inside. And there was probably a bunch of other issues that isn't worth fixing. I have my mind now in a golf, sportwagen or Jetta in better condition. It doesn't have to be a TDI, but it must be a manual transmission.
@@cooncrib00
Seems like the panoramic sunroof was leaking and the blind that goes below it was broken so there was no shade inside. That and all the mechanical work that was probably required made me think it was not worth it. Now I have my mind in a sportswagen, golf or Jetta in better shape. It doesn't need to be a TDI as long as it has a manual transmission
I've had three new GTI's, an A4 and R. The 01' VR6 was a POS (coils, window regulators, mass airflow, throttle body, sunroof leaks) all before 20k miles, '07 had carbon buildup issues at 30k, dsg failed at 32k, throttle body at 55k. 12' GTI was good only maint but I only put 17k on it before getting the 16' R. was great until it almost killed me when the EPC light came on on the highway four times (each time went to dealer and they couldn't replicate) the fifth time it happened I was almost killed by a truck. I dumped the car after that. I do love the way they drive though when they are not in the shop.
WOW! With each year you presented, I was thinking, "Yep, that's a Mk4; Yep, that's a Mk5; Yep, that's a Mk6." HAHA! The Mk7 seemingly fixed many of the things that were problems on the earlier generation cars. I don't know what the Mk8 improved. Time will tell. BTW, my GTI has 175,000 miles now. :-) Thanks for visiting.
I'm pleased w/ my 2017 Tiguan overall. Had to replace fuel pump twice while under warranty. MPG little on the lower side. The ride quality is lovely. Design is unique. Great legroom for 6'5" driver. Just had check engine light during long trip from FL to IA, but not major issue, think low grade gasoline w/ 10% Ethanol triggered issue. Diagnostic noted likely O2 sensor. After reset hasn't gone off since. Love my ride. 130k and rolls like a new vehicle.
Thanks for sharing that! I have an intermittent O2 sensor fault. It's rather rare, but does surface from time to time. I just clear the code and move on. HAHA! I'm at 233,000 miles. My next car *may* be a Tiguan. Thanks for visiting!
2001 B5 Audi A4 w 1.8T here. 330,000 miles so far. It's needed the basic routine maintenance (brakes, suspension arms, timing belt, CV boots) and one new turbocharger. Very reliable car. Take care of VW products and they will take care of you.
That's fantastic! I thought the B5s (Audi and VW) were known for problems, especially with the suspension and axles. Glad you've had a good run! Thanks for visiting!
I just bought a 24 Jetta. I have not owned a VW since 1990. I have been buying Hondas and Toyotas, Lexus, for the past 30 years. The reason I even went to look at the new Jetta was the way the Asian dealers are treating people now. They are being too greedy, not a single deal I tried to make with them did not have thousands of dollars of dealer mark ups added at the end of negotiations. The Jetta has a 2k dollar rebate on it now and I got it for under invoice and the dealer took all the dealer add ons off the price of the car. To make it simple, I would not pay the price to get into an Asian car again. I had forgotten why I liked VW cars. They drive great, I love the stiffer suspension and the seats. My last VW was also a Jetta, I had 139k miles on it when I rear ended a pick up. It was a great car. I was impressed with the new Jetta, I have been averaging almost 50mpg, thats hybrid mileage these days on a regular gas engine. Time will tell if my new Jetta is a good car, but I do like it better than most of the Asian cars I have owned .
Very nice! The 1.5T is not a powerful engine, but 50 mpg is a nice benefit of giving up some power. Thanks for visiting!
Hyundai, too!
Perceived reliability and repair costs are what have kept me from driving a VW. Your insight seems very sensible.
I had a GTI. One head lamp cost 75 dollars.
Thanks for visiting!
I wish my head lights were only $75! My car has the fancy BiXenon steerable lights. They run about $1100 per side for just the part! I've dreaded the day when one goes out, but mine are still working. Fingers crossed!
@@StealthGTI is that for the light and the lamp assembly? Is the steering mechanism not separate from the lamp itself? The MKV had auto leveling headlamps, but the car did the leveling and the lamp was replaceable as a removable part.
If not, wow!
@@StealthGTI I’m thinking that you should be able to change the bulb. It looks like there is no way to get to the bulb inside of the headlight unit, but there is a housing for the bulb which is removable.
I worked at a VW dealership and I saw a Jetta with 385000 miles and was still running very good! You take care of your vehicle and it will give you many years of pleasure! 😊
That’s awesome! How many miles do you think I should go between oil changes if it’s mainly highway miles and I’ll be doing like 25K miles a year?
Thanks for sharing!
@@Gr8Nuzz If you really want it to last, somewhere between 5 000 - 10 000. I think they advertise 18 000 but its bs.
Yes they are reliable! I am driving a 2007 Golf my dad purchased new back in the day. Kept up with the maintenance and still buttery smooth both interior and exterior.
My mom is driving a 2009 Audi Q7 with 300k miles on it and it’s still good. We’ve taken that on several cross country tours from coast to coast and to Canada!
Excellent report! I'm approaching 200,000 miles and will share an update. Thanks for visiting!
2019 Alltrack SEL w MT here. Just about 72k now. Flawless, still have 40% break pads. Careful engine break in, oil change at 1k and every 3k thereafter. Easy driving until engine is saturated with heat, but then she gets some beans (with a stage 1 tune). It keeps the waste gate actuator alive…and maybe the valves a little cleaner. Service sunroof drains fairly often. No leaks.
I have a 2019 4motion Sportwagen. I am approaching 100,000 km i love the thing. Ive had one warranty claim when the drivers door wire harness went bad. I do oil changes sooner than the suggested 15,000 km. The seems happy and when I am driving I have a smile on my face because it is a joy to drive.
Very nice! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Love this video, nothing but truth. I love my VW’s. I have a 2018 Tiguan that I bought pre owned with 30k miles in 2022, I’ve had it 2 years now and have already put 50k miles on it😬 the engine, transmission, haldex all wheel drive and other mechanical parts have held up great. Due to driving it so much, of course I had to get new brakes all around, new tires, those are all common wear items. But the only issues I’ve really had are suspension related. I heard vw’s are known for bad coil springs, my front left one snapped a couple months ago, no big deal had it towed and it was fixed same day. I had to do a cv axle because I neglected to replace my torn cv boot which ultimately ran it dry from grease so it failed down the road. And finally I had to replace my control arm bushings in the front because the stock ones are known to crack and fail (rs3 bushings to the rescue). Besides that, a serpentine belt and a battery replacement under warranty, she’s a fantastic vehicle, drives great and doesn’t give me problem. The key to a long lasting vw is MAINTENANCE. Follow it by the book and you’ll be fine!
Same with my mothers 2018 Beetle, only issues were a pcv valve and purge valve replacement, sway bar links and repair an exhaust clamp.
Import fans would say that's a lot of problems! ;-) I'm messing with you. The more complex cars can have a different slew of issues, unfortunately. I'm leaning toward a Crosstrek for my next vehicle (years from now, hopefully). No turbo and port injection should avoid at least a few problems. That and only half the horsepower of my GTI. HAHA! Thanks for visiting!
Loved my MK4 Jetta Wagon, it was golden as long as maintenance is up kept. The thing about Toyota vs VW reliability really just comes down to having a reliable owner or not. When I had my dad whipping me 100 miles/2 weeks away from maintenace, VW has never failed me. The second I left home, my Jetta died and replaced with a Passat which had tons of issue by 3rd year. Toyotas/Lexus on the other hand, I don't think I have ever done maintenance on time. Even with off roading and leaving the car as is when I go on 2-3 month vacations, don't hurt it too much.
Toyotas are benchmarks for reliability. Unfortunately, their pricing has crept skyward to the point of making all but the least of their offerings affordable to most consumers. I may consider a Subaru in the future. Thanks for visiting!
Good to hear about your mileage.I love my 2018 GTI. Only 44k but I work from home and only do 5k per year. Just replaced the water pump (warranty), oil pan, spark plugs, cabin/air filters, and fuel suction pump (recall)
Definitely higher maintenance than a Toyota but still not too bad. Runs like a champ now !
Thanks for sharing. I'm not looking forward to the suction pump recall since I'll have to remove my "house battery" so that the tech can access the fuel tank port. I'll use the event to label and reorganize some of the wiring back there. Thanks for visiting!
I am debating on my next car and I wasn't even considering a VW. You made some really good points. Thank you.
Glad to help! One word of caution, though: Make sure you test drive before you buy and make it a point to fiddle with the "buttons" on the steering wheel and touchscreen controls. I've read that they're WAY too sensitive and subject to lots of accidental selections. Thanks for visiting!
Get a Toyota, seriously.
@@novacolonel5287 I have considered that as well.
My 2013 MK6 GTI MT @63k miles has only failed "reliably". i.e. The water pump failed, which I knew was an issue with these cars, and the intake manifold failed twice. All were replaced under warranty, the car has never left me stranded. The 2nd manifold failed at around 60k miles so while it was in the shop I had the valves cleaned.
One other thing...the headfliner is starting to sag and I'm thinking about replacing it myself. I'm also planning on replacing the pcv valve and the injectors myself as preventative maintenance. I change the oil every 5k. I love this car.
I hate to say it, but the issues on the Mk5 and Mk6 GTIs were among the reasons I stayed away. The Mk7 was said to be a huge improvement over its predecessors, mechanically speaking. I think the same could be true of the Mk8 vs. the Mk7, but the verdict is still out on the electronics, though. Thanks for sharing.
Well, if your car haven't left you stranded with the issues it's a reliable car, I was a Honda owner at one point it had tons if issues but the engine kept going that's reliable. As long as your engine running and you can go from A to B despite all the issues we'll your car is reliable 👌
Great video. My '12 Jetta has treated me very well so far. Only very minor issues. Interesting note - my Dad's and roommate both have Audis which have not been as reliable. You'd expect the premium brand of VW to perform better with higher quality parts, but I guess not!
Appreciate the Sarah reference. I love her! Her videos kill me. :)
Back in the 1990's (and surrounding 2000s?), buying an Audi was a guaranteed headache! I can speak for today, but I'd hope the current generation of Audis are every bit as good as today's VW's. Thanks for visiting.
Audi is a complete piece of crap
I have a 2012 Jetta base that I've had for 4 years at 170k miles. It had a minor issue with a bushing when I first got it, and then the ignition coil pack went out just a few days ago. I fixed it myself for about $30 in 15 minutes. Other than that, absolutely 0 issues in those 4 years. It's been so amazingly reliable that I just picked up another 2012 TDI. My only "problem" with the base model is that one of the running lights doesn't always stay running. It works sometimes, then it randomly goes out and will come back on later. I'm sure it can be fixed but it's so minor that I hadn't bothered with it in these 4 years.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
I agree I used to own a 2008 Jetta 2.5 v5 150k miles , never had major issues bulletproof engine.
I'm quickly approaching 200,000 miles! I'll share a milestone video next month. Thanks for visiting!
I've had 12 VAG cars... didn't regret any of them, even our 2004 Touareg which had low ratings but we had it 14 years without problems except pretty much the first year.. Even after 220k miles, only did a drive shaft, fuel pump and alternator.
Very nice! Thanks for sharing!
I have a 2014 jetta tdi here in the philppines and it ages nicely, no issues. Imagine humid, hot heavy traffic, bad roads with potholes. Going 10 yrs old. Althouugh i do scotty kilmers at205 yearly on suspension rubbers. For most part been great car. Only thing broke was fuel lid actuator and that was because during covid time nobody went out, causing the lock servo to seized. Other than that great car. Just be stringent on following service scheds
European cars are not forgiving to those who don't keep up with prescribed maintenance. You seem to be someone who takes good care of their car. Thanks for visiting!
Good video with common sense information.
My wife and I have owned 6 VW's and 5 Audi's to date. Currently I have a 2019 GTi and she has a 2019 A4 Quattro. We're now both retired so our mileage is drastically down from the years when working.
All of our VW's/Audi's have been reliable from a "never failing to start and get us where we needed to go" standpoint but one was much more problematic and that was my 2006 B6 Passat with the 3.6L. That was the first year VW separated the Passat from the Audi platform and frankly the B6 was not well sorted or ready for prime time. That was the only VW/Audi we owned with numerous nagging little issues and it was the only VW/Audi I was happy to get rid of. That car was turned in for a new 2009 A4 2.0T with the sport package which was a great car to drive and we kept that car until trading it for a 2017 A4.
Our first VW's were a 2000 Passat GLX sedan and a 2000 Passat GLX wagon and both were trouble free. I moved to a 2003 Passat W8 sport package and the wife a 2004 A6 and again no issues. The W8 was a very enjoyable to drive and interesting car but frankly the engine did make me nervous for long term ownership mostly because it was difficult to service being crammed into the Passat's engine bay. The W8 was traded in for the 2006 B6 - ouch!
Like you we drive our cars gently until fully warmed up and they are maintained by the book or ahead of schedule with VW/Audi parts with the one exception being our 2019 A4. We had chronic brake issues from delivery with that car but it sat on a dealers lot for 4 months without being moved and I believe that was the issue. The brakes squealed in cold weather when coming to a stop and when the dealer tried to correct the issue the brakes developed pulsation in the steering wheel when stopping. Several trips and lame attempts to fix by the dealer led me to buy new Zimmerman rotors for all 4 wheels and PowerStop Z17 ceramic pads. The Audi dealer wouldn't work with us on price but the VW dealer where we purchased my GTi has an exceptional service department and they did the labor for us with our parts in the trunk and the entire job cost less than $1,000. The brakes so far have been perfect but I took the time to do the recommended bedding-in process as specified by PowerStop.
For certain Toyota's are the most trouble free vehicles manufactured but we find them boring and uninspiring. If you're looking to drive a nice vehicle that provides comfortable transportation at the lowest possible cost then Toyota is tough to beat. If you desire more from your vehicle, and are willing to respect it and service it properly then VW/Audi's can be a rewarding choice.
"Boring and uninspiring" is a great way to describe Toyotas. Toyota fans just don't understand. HAHA! Still, I may find myself in a Toyota someday. Hopefully, though, my GTI still has some years ahead of it. Thanks for visiting!
An excellent video and you make some very good points. My experience has not been so positive. I had 2 VW Golfs from new and they both had plenty of issues even though I maintained the cars perfectly with the dealer and drove them gently. I purchased Honda's subsequently, and they were better but not perfect. I have now purchased a new T-Roc (I'm in Australia) and hope that I have a better run with it.
Thanks for your report and visit!
2013 Tiguan with a 2.0 TSI.... over 308,000 km....two turbos replaced under warranty... a couple of sets of plugs, a couple of coils, a couple of camshaft position sensors, a pvc valve and numerous REGULAR oil changes using VW oil.... no problems. Still on original timing chain and injectors. I had it since 31,000km. Rock solid reliability. I'd have another in a heartbeat.
That's a great run! Thanks for sharing your experience!
2014 Passat 1.8 TSI engine. Kept up with regular maintenance nothing extreme. Car still runs like the first day I got it and has 95k miles on it. Oil changes every 7-8k miles on average and mostly highway miles.
Got a 2022 VW Atlas 2.5 yrs ago, hoping to do atleast 15 years/200k miles on both cars. Love VW so far!!
That's fantastic to hear! Thanks for sharing!
It's because of your advice that I've been waiting for temps to reach 180F when I first drive off and I must thank you for that. I also feel that my Mk7 is very reliable and will continue to be so as long as I keep up with the maintenance. Thanks for the video. Cheers!
Glad to help! I hope yours last as long as mine or longer. Take Care!
My late dad was a diesel and hydraulics mechanic. His advice were to never over reverse a cold engine. Strangely my 2016 Volkswagen automatically limits my revs to 4000 after a cold start. But even that is too much for me. After starting up l wait for the engine to reach 90 degrees Celsius before allowing higher revolutions.
First time owner VW '13 tiguan. Bouught out door shady corner lot 8k. 150k miles. In ten months for tires $500, water pump installed myself 400 bucks. New battery $200. Rear caliper complete 850. Brakes all the way around 400 bucks. Timing chain this spring $2500. For under $13 k i have an awesome, incredibly well-built and fun to drive luxury auto. When I asked a friends who specialize in these cars do they just break down? His response was no, they just need a little more attention in maintenance and preventative repairs.
This vehicle is by far the finest driving machine i have ever owned. In 40 years and 20 some odd vehicles owned-including a number of exceedingly reliable Toyota products-the driving experience in this worn out VW outweighs these minor conveniences. Also I absolutely agree that reliability means stranded or keep going! this vehicle has not let me down yet! Peace friends!
Excellent report! Thanks for visiting!
All great content, drive easy and keep those fluids changed and clean.
Thanks for visiting!
I have a 2019 base auto Jetta S. It does have the transmission 'growl' but other than some minor issues (distance sensor becoming misaligned), it's been trouble free for almost 5 years. I do take very good care of it and usually get the oil changed every 5,000 miles which is well before the maintenance minder alerts me that the oil needs replacement. I also periodically check the engine bay and verify all of the fluids, which is usually once a month.
Thanks for sharing that. I didn't think to mention my wife's 2018 Jetta SE. It's had two wheel sensor failures and one headlight housing LED failure, all covered under that model year's excellent warranty. I'm cleaning the sunroof drains now. Otherwise, a good car. Thanks for visiting!
Having owned over 10 Volkswagen cars for the last 35 years. I've only had one car that gave me problems which was a 1992 VW Corrado SLC. The other cars have gone over 100k miles with no real problems. I currently have a 2019 VW Jetta GLI DSG.
Ive had Rsx w over 180k and integra before. Got a golf 1.4 w low miles. Very impressed overall w this car. Might do stage 1 tune. Great info on your channel thanks!
My wife's car has a 1.4T. I thought about a tune, but only briefly. She doesn't use the power; plus, she'd be upset with needing premium fuel. So, stock it stays. Thanks for visiting!
I have a 2011 Jetta I bought over five years ago and it has been fantastic! My wife drives it like a NY yellow taxi, and still running like a champ 🏆
Keep the faith! Thanks for sharing!
The only repair that caught me off guard.... was when the slave cylinder ruptured and leaked causing the clutch pedal to stop functioning and the car stopped as a result. $50 part cost almost $2k since I had to do the clutch as well since the transmission has to come out to get to the slave cylinder. Every other time that the car went down was my own error :P.
Ouch! That sounds unpleasant! Thanks for sharing!
On my ‘15 Jetta 2.Slow the slave cylinder is mounted outside the trans right on top!🙏🏼
I had this happen on my MKV!
Dad and I are driving our 17 th VW. Dad started in 1951 and I started in 1968. Never had a lemon. One leak or two over the decades. Use OEM and use LiquiMoly oil with the VW/Audi seal of approval. Great cars!
That's a great report! Thanks for sharing!
Cars are consumables to be used. Take care of them and like your leak, you see the issues before they become massive problems and therefore reliability is maintained 🤷♂️ I wholeheartedly agree with you on all points and since reliability is my Paramount concern outside of just enjoying a decent, extremely versatile car, I have left my car completely stock outside of getting better than oem tires.
Agreed! Back when my 1998 Jetta TDI was new, I had a friend tell me that I shouldn't commute in it (50 miles each way) and that I should get a junker instead. Well, a junker could leave me stranded. I told him, "I bought this car to be driven." I had no idea that I'd keep it for 20 years and drive it 445,000 miles! I don't expect to keep this car for as long, but I do still feel that they're to be driven, not stored or trailered. ;-) I will really break some purists' hearts if I ever get my hands on a Golf R and treat it the way I do this GTI. HAHA!
@@StealthGTI I feel that. Pre covid I was averaging 20,000 miles a year so at this point I'd be closer to 60000 miles... I also live in Michigan with below-freezing temperatures and salt on the roads every single year so that tends to aggravate those same people you're talking about haha. I just don't want to maintain two vehicles at this point in my life. I want something with the most versatility and functionality coupled with enjoyment in a reasonably small footprint... to enjoy daily, not struggle through till the weekend. I work every day but Sunday right now 😅.
Not sure if you know this or not but consumer reports does not count a blown speaker with the same severity as they would a blown headgasket. The exception is if blown speakers affected many more customers compared to an extremely small number of those who had a bad headgasket (like maybe due to a bad batch that affected a small number vs a bad design that affected a large number).
Thanks for sharing your report. I suspect CR has improved their metrics system. Thanks for visiting!
I couldn’t agree with you more. I have a 15 Autobahn that is about to hit 100k. Stage 2, but try to drive sensible. Only issue just recently was Alternator died. (Which still didn’t leave me stranded) Oil change every 5k with OEM hardware and LM. DSG every 40K. I’m extremely happy with the reliability so far. Hope I can say that at 150k? I appreciate your videos. I also appreciate that your car has more miles than mine for now. So, if you can go stage 3, maybe I can to. Lol
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Hey Howss the Gti!
How have you enjoyed the is38? Compared to is20? I am sure you lost some low end, but does the top end worth the loss down low? What is your max boost on is38 Would you do it again? Or keep it juicy down low?
I have been recently looking for a more recent station wagon and reliability,Confort and guaranteed parts availability were what i was looking for.i settled for a 2015 VW Passat variant 1.6tdi with 100000miles and it is an amazing car,looks and feels brand new,not a single rattle or squeak it just feels solid
Thanks for sharing your experience!
I bought a 2014 VW Golf 7 1.2 TSI out the box and drove her like a baby and meticulously maintained her, so I could give her to my daughter when she goes to study.
The car started giving problems after 100000km with coils failing, then catalytic converter, then timing belt & tensioners, then insane oil use together with the turbo failing! I.t.o reliability - the worst car I ever owned. I.t.o drivability and efficiency = awesome!
Thanks for sharing your report! Sometimes things don't work out.
2014 Passat SE w/roof 1.8 EA888 auto trans, bought new Feb, 2014. Currently 165,093 Miles. ZERO squeaks and rattles repl pcv, 5K Oil changes . Not as fun as my new 2011 GTI w/DSG but rock solid. Thats my story
The GTI is a fun car, for sure. I suspect the Passat is quite comfortable. Too bad it's been discontinued in the US, though I suspect that today's Jetta is as large as the Passat that we had 20 years ago. Thanks for visiting!
@StealthGTI Got to tell you that I'm surprised at the quality, solidity, economy and reliability and totally sqeak/rattle free. Hope I can make it to 200K or maybe more. I think BG additives for oil ( ERP, MOA) and fuel (44K) might have helped. No association with them other than a customer of their products. 165,210 miles No, these B7 Passats are much larger than all generations of Jettas
I have a 2019 Jetta SE and it has 80k on it. The only issue is the torque converter winds between 4 & 5 gear. I googled it and there’s a class action lawsuit because of that. So I drive in sport mode and don’t experience that noise. Hopefully it holds up in sport mode
Thanks for sharing your experience!
I love my 2017 Jetta with a turbo. Yes it's has to be maintenance 85,000 miles. Did the transmission flush
Thanks for visiting!
Just replaced the thermostat housing last week @ 69000 km (43k miles) on my 2017 mk7 golf with OEM approved parts.
As a VW owner for the first time, I have few questions and Ill be grateful if you answer them:
1- should I expect the thermostat / pump combo to fail again? When?
2- what other major issues should I expect?
Up here in Toronto Canada, we get winters with temperatures of -21C (-5.8 F). My routine morning engine warming takes 12 to 16 minutes. I wouldn't dare drive off even so gently after 30 sec only.
Drawing on my experience at power stations where we used to start steam and gas turbines sometimes from "cold iron" state, I learned how crucial it is to gradually warm up the machine till we reach operating temperature before loading the machine. This is for allowing gradual metal expansion to maintain proper clearances, and for protecting bearing surfaces we always warm up lube oil and pump it through the machine even before starting the turning gear.
How much of that would apply to VWs? I always warm up my cars completely before putting it in "D".
Thanks.
Thanks for the note, Nidal. The water pump has seen revisions over the lifecycle of the Mk7. Hopefully, you have the most recent revision (another reason why I prefer the dealer for some parts) and the new part will last longer than the original. As for slow warm-ups, you make a compelling point. I suspect that putting a load on your power generation units would be as similar for them as the strain of our cars cruising at 100 mph (160 kph). I certainly wouldn't advocate going 100 mph after just a brief warm-up.
I'm sure the owner's manual says to "start and drive" (paraphrasing); but owner's manuals also have attorney intervention, environmental oversight, and want to have us do things that maximize fuel economy (which idling does not). If I lived where temps drop as far below freezing as you describe, I'd probably warm the car for about 5 minutes while clearing the car, then drive slowly, all with the heater OFF. Remember, any heat that you pull through your vents will take heat away from the cooling system. Yes, the cooling system keep the engine from overheating, but it also warms the engine when it's cold. I opt to leave as much heat in the coolant as I can until the temperature needle raises a bit. Thanks for visiting!
@@StealthGTI
Thank you.
I got an OBDeleven partially because I wanted to turn on "central locking with ignition" which let's you start the car and then get out and lock it (I have push button start) I am not good at letting it warm up every time but I rarely ever rush when I first start it. I'm in Michigan and it's been single digits (°f)
My sunroof had the bezel crack but my water pump gasket is still going strong (2018 Autobahn manufactured in mid 2017) @25,000 miles. It sat for 2 years before I bought it new in July of 2019 with exactly 300 miles intending to keep it long term so I'm not usually an ass to it lol. I do DEFINITELY give it the beans semi regularly though 😆
i wish people would put the YEAR of your car instead of the MK??? whatever, im not going to look up what year MK?? whatever either!! thanks!!
@@karmendimas5274
Kindly revisit my 1st paragraph. I clearly listed "2017 mk7".
Great video! A lot of good info and such a smart approach to long term VW ownership. Here’s to smooth sailing into 200k.
Fingers crossed! Thanks for visiting!
Bro can you please tell me how it’s going now??
Very good review. Everything he says makes sense. I'm concerned about VW reliability, but I don't have any real proof either way. I'm like most people I don't have confidence in them, but maybe they're fine.
Yes! I don't even have bad light bulbs with my VWs. Yet, I see newer cars on the road with just one functioning tail light. I don't get it. I guess I'm lucky! Thanks for visiting!
As long as you service your vw it will not have problems. Nice video man.
Thanks! There will come a point when the car is just done. I hope that won't be for a while. Thanks for visiting!
I have a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen SE and the dealership near me want to sell me oil and other additives to the synthetic oil change.
The screen for the panoramic roof is broken was estimated up to $1000 from the dealer for replacement.
As much as I like bells and whistles, I finally see the light.
All the bells and whistles, sensors, LED lights, displays if they malfunction, prematurely dies you're in for some expensive repair bills.
That's true for any car. My GTI may be the most sophisticated car I've ever owned. But I still avoided the sunroof! HAHA! Thanks for visiting!
Agree with you 100% on reliability. If you ever come to WA state, do it after July 4 and before August. August usually wild fire month so air can be real smoky.
Thanks for the suggestion! Why "after July 4th?" I'm considering my trip before school lets out so that I might avoid some crowds. Take Care!
@@StealthGTI I assume you like sunshine. In Seattle, there is even a term Juneuary 🤣 where you have gloomy days for a few days straight. After July 4, is typically when the sunshine starts. You should check out Chuckanut drive to enjoy the GTi here. It’s a pretty drive towards Bellingham with tight turns. There is an oyster farm and shop as a bonus as well if you like oysters.
I consider my 2019 Jetta reliable even though I had to replace the gas tank, 2 days, free vw atlas rental, under warranty. Now 5 years old so new battery, $450 and front brakes, $380. I am another Sarah fan and she nailed the review of the Jetta. 46 mpg on my first highway trip to Atlantic City and back to Philadelphia. 6 year warranty thanks to dieselgare. 2vws on 10 least reliable consumer reports, jeeps 10 and 9 Jetta #8! I agree with you.
Thanks, John! My wife's 2018 just left its warranty last month. The check engine light was on within two weeks! HAHA! The scan showed something petty that may have been a fluke. Thanks for visiting!
I’m the second owner of a 2005 1.8t GTI (MK4) with 210 k mi. Only very minor issues. No probs with engine, man transmission, turbo. I think it’s important to not get the first couple years of a cars run bc all manufacturers have more probs with the first 2-3 years of a model run.
I have been driving VW for 50 years.
I taught my wife how to tune up and adjust the valves on our 67 VW Bus in 1978. We had driven from California to Costa Rica. In case anything happened to me, I wanted to be sure she could make it back home with the kids.
She tuned those valves finer than I ever could and she had never worked on a car before in her 24 year old life.
Central America is just one mountain after another, and that '67 Bus was awesome.
I had seen a small book in the used book bin at my favorite bookstore in '73. The title of the book was " Small Wonder ". It was a promo for Volkswagons.
6 months later we bought a '67 Bus with a brand new engine in it, for $500 !
Today, that same car sells for $50,000.
Maintained, you cannot do any better, especially for the money.
So sad to hear that VW is shutting down in Germany, but their plant in Puebla México is still up and running.
Buy one ❤, if you can.
That's a great story! Thanks for sharing!
@@butchmitch731 Very sad to hear that, vw it's still undeniable one of the best cars being built now a days. So many cheaply built cars! I hope they close the one in Mexico instead 🙏
I like your throttle management. I tried to be gentle until warmed but often "Give it the Sarah N Tuned Beans" not because I’m in a rush, but only for fun😃
I have a 2016 SQ5 (kind of a VW). At 90k miles, it’s drivetrain is rock solid. Only persistent annoyance has been the the door handles. The driver door had an electrical glitch and was clicking on and off when driving. That was replaced, now I hear clicking from the rear drivers door. Annoying.
Thanks for sharing! I'd love to have an SQ5. The Tiguan is attractive, but too much of a loss of power after this GTI. Power-wise, the SQ5 would give me what I crave; I just cannot justify the price. HAHA! The post right below yours mentioned Audis and problems. As for door handles, I've noticed that mine will unlock or lock if I'm close by and it's raining, snowing, or I'm washing the car. Some conveniences are inconvenient. LOL!
I have tiguan 2017 and had the following issues
Water pump leak had to be replaced
Oxygen sensor
Dsg mechatronic failure
Thanks for sharing!
Mine has been fine so far. I am at 78000 miles so far in my 2019 Jetta GLI Manual. I have had no actual problems that were reliability issues. I have just done routine oil changes, brakes and tires. The issue I have been dealing with was damage to the plastic oil pan. That was an issue with something in the road though not a car reliability issue. I have had a new oil pan installed but they put a third party oil drain plug in and they leak. Only use genuine OEM oil drain plugs and you should be ok. Overall I am very pleased with the reliability.
Excellent report. Check out ECS Tuning to see if they have a Street Shield for your car. I installed Street Shields on both my car and my daughter's Golf. Thanks for visiting!
I have a 2017 GTI S trim DSG with 65K miles and it’s been headache free (crossing my fingers). No rattles, no squeaking, no electrical issues. Non whatsoever. Engine is still torquey as heck and it’s still fun to drive. My only “complaint” is its catchy transmission. It seems to always want to upshift to lower the RPM. Annoying to be honest, but once you switch to sport mode, the car comes alive. I’d like some advice if the transmission issue is normal or if there’s something I could do to address it. Thanks
The factory programming will always favor maximum fuel economy, which will constantly drive the transmission into top gear. You'll either have to drive it in Sport mode to keep it in the gear that you want or consider a TCM program from a reputable tuner. I like APR. A TCM tune may keep the DSG in a gear that revs a hair higher. But I'm not sure since I drive a manual and have no DSG experience. Thanks for visiting!
So far I've one 1973 VW Super Beetle, 1980 Scirocco, 2015 Golf TDI, 2018 Golf TSI gas, manual, now-2021 Golf TSI gas manual....No problems. Treat them right, regular oil change, rotate tires, no jack rabbit off the line, don't push the red line, shift gears....these cars will last...thanks for a good video...
Thanks for sharing your experience!
I wish I could say the same about my 2015 TSI Golf. I have given the best treatment to this car and it have given me many problems in return. I have not have a good experience with these cars, old or new.
VWs in the Uk and Europe have a good reputation. Im running multiple VAG group cars, and pretty happy. I have an 05GTI and beat it daily. It starts on the button even if sat for a few weeks, even in cold or wet weather. I would like to see an EV do this.
Something tells me that an EV is more likely to burst into flames than your GTI, too! 🤣 Thanks for visiting!
Good long term results with VW bought new or slightly used because I was satisfied with the service history. All my German cars have been satisfying to own (VW, BMW, Mercedes, Audi) but agree that timely maintenance and respectful driving (the Brits called this “mechanical sympathy”) are key to reasonable operating costs and vehicle longevity.
I owned a used 2007 Passat wagon I purchased in 2011. It was the second worse vehicle I owned after my 1985 Jeep Cherokee. I could not get rid of it fast enough. I loved the car itself and driving it but it was not reliable at all. To say that as long as it started it is reliable. Mine had to be towed into the dealer once because though it started, it wouldn’t drive beyond idle for a block due to some electrical issue. That and that the windows would start to go down on their own while driving in the rain. Rust was also a major issue. I have never owned a car that rust more than anything since my 1972 Ford Courier. And the rust was under the paint and not due to chipping or scratches. Similar to my Jeep YJ and Cherokee.
Yes, I was not fond of my wife's 2003 Passat. It was "reliable," but it was a curse to maintain. We kept it for 11 years. Thanks for visiting!
I have an Audi that I purchased new in 2016. Haven't had a single issue with it yet. The Audi that I owned before that I kept for 5 years before selling it and that one also never had a single issue.
Thanks for your report!
I totally agree, you are in rush- get up earlier or mismanaging time. ❤❤
Thanks for your support! Unfortunately, most modern people are too short-sighted and self-centered to think that far in advance. HAHA! Take Care!
I love my VW’s have an 08 r32 and a 15 MK7 GTI. Never had an issue and I have done all the maintenance
Thanks for your report. Thanks for visiting!
2015 tdi sel jetta 6sm. 133k no issues at all. Changed waterpump that was leaking at 96k so had timing belt changed. Too bad they stopped selling diesels in USA because of dieselgate. Still under warranty until 162k.
I drove TDIs for 20 years and was quite proud of my MPGs. The GTI immediately convinced me to wonder, "Why did I wait so long to get a GTI?" I don't care about economy now. HAHA! This thing is still fun, even after seven years and 213,000 miles! Thanks for visiting!
I have a 2023 VW Golf that has had software issues from he start. Gateway was replaced at 1500 miles and software updated, however problems continued. VW now saying issue does not show on their system even when I have video ro show the problem
That really stinks! Is there a good Lemon Law in your area? If yes, get an attorney and make it expensive for them to deny your problem. Good Luck!
I just traded my 2020 Tiguan S four motion all wheel drive for a new 2024 Jetta SEL . I liked the Tiguan but I had issues with my air conditioning system ( fan blower motor) went out three times. The Jetta I just got is amazing 🤩 and the technology in this car is awesome 😎
Congratulations on your purchase! Not to be a bedwetter, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the blower motor is the same across all of the MQB cars. Not to worry, though: Even if the blower is not as reliable as we had hoped, at least VW made it cheap, quick, and easy to replace. I've replaced two in my 233,000 miles. Thanks for visiting!
@ at least it’s under warranty for now anyway and thanks 🙏🏻
I have a 2016 gti it has 230,000 miles on it since I bought it everyday I use it, still runs beautifully, I went through 3 clutches, 1 water pump, 1 alternator, countless tires nothing major has happens to it, yes I can say it’s really reliable
Excellent! I think about my alternator, especially with all the abuse that I subject it to with my extra electronics equipment. I'm at 230,000+, too! Thanks for visiting!
As the man said, it’s all about experience. I wouldn’t go into euro cara after owning GM or asian cars. I’ve been thru a 98 gol, 02’ polo, 09’ jetta, 13’ jetta, 14’ eos and finally 19’ gti. Gol and 09 jetta were sold because I didn’t use them most of the time. The 09 jettas only fault was a smelly a/c. The 02 polo is still running to this day, only clutch pump and windows actuators have need to be replaced . The 13 jetta had the intake manifold damaged from previous owner. Only fault Ive faced is throttle body and crankshaft sensor replacement. It’s sitting at 136k miles. Meanwhile my 2014 eos has had it’s problems, but again, all because my negligence. It comes with dsg transmission and I didn’t give it the proper maintenance. So the gearbox went out at around 45k miles. Had to get a new one. Second fault is I had to replace the 4 injectors because I used to use gas treatments and bad quality gas. So leaving aside negligence now with around 70k miles, the 2014 eos with the 2.0t and dsg is actually pretty reliable. Now, my 2019 gti is barely 56k miles and it’s only normal maintenance.
Thanks for your report! Take Care!
I just bought a 2012 golf with a 2.5 liter. I'm not concerned with aesthetics, just reliability. Will it go? Apparently it will...ty
Scotty Kilmer posted a video in which he discusses problem areas with the 2.5L. Search his channel for info. His thumbnails are pretty click-baity; so, don't be too alarmed when you see an image that'll make you feel like you bought a ticking time bomb. ;-) Watch the video (I haven't), note his remarks, and keep them tucked away i case you have troubles. Thanks for visiting!
I just test drove a Taos and...I really liked it. Did some research though and the head gasket issues seem very real. Add to that some brake and electronic issues reported. Really a shame. I'm not sure I want to take a chance on a 24' assuming the problems have been fixed. May just go in the complete opposite direction and pick a boring Toyota Corolla Hybrid.
Yeah, I'm not fond of what I've read about the 1.5T found in the Taos! The Corolla is a fine car. I hope it's worked out for you. Thanks for visiting!
2013 gti owner, bought used with 44k miles, 118k now. Have only had one issue, a coilover failed, essy fix. One of the most reliable vehicles I have owned, just starts and runs every day. Burns some oil which is to be expected for this engine.
Excellent report! Thanks for sharing!
The old generations of the EA888 engines do have oil consumption problems but Volkswagen has fixed this. Gen 3 and above don't have that anymore.
What a very watchable video! You put your points across in a very thoughtful and concise manner. 👌
I appreciate that! Thanks for visiting!
My VW Polo 2010 with 220.000km also still works. However, the timing chain has elongated and I got lucky that the engine didn´t blow. I chose a base model with 60HP without a turbo so less parts can brake. The catalytic converter is also done this year. Besides that everything is fine. So cars like anything else can last for quite some long time if you take care of it. However just this week I have bought a Toyota Corolla Hatchback Hybrid. I love this car. And I will be selling my trusty 14 year old Polo.
Enjoy the Corolla! I'd consider one myself, but I may get something just a little larger for my next car. Thanks for visiting!
@@StealthGTI You are welcome. How about a Prius or something completely else ?
@@sierraecho884 - I've considered a Prius. The latest version has good looks and more power than before. I like that I could run the AC while parked without idling the engine, but the system would automatically start the engine to recharge the battery, if needed. I don't know about the car's cargo carrying capacity, though, such as rooftop rack and a trailer hitch. Believe it or not, those are important to me, even with a small car. Thanks for the suggestion. -Scott
I have a very rare 2013 Wolfsburg edition Passat/ black and my only issue with it is they have way too many sensors for now reason = I have air bag / brakes / traction/ and 2 other lights on over a right rear speed sensor = plus you can not put updated Zeno lights in all is halogen
Ah yes! A faulty speed sensor can create plenty of fault indications on just about any car. Thankfully, the repair is not too awful. Thanks for visiting!
My Jetta has over 150k and it's never broken down on me. But I do keep up with oil changes and routine maintenance
Thanks for sharing!
I am on my second Jetta. Volkswagens are wonderful cars if you take care of them. I take my car to the dealer on time for all of the scheduled maintenance.
It can be a crap-shoot for sure. My wife's 2018 Jetta has had two wheel sensors fail, as well as an LED in one of the headlight housings (required a new housing). Thankfully, it's all been fixed under warranty, which will expire for us in May 2024. Thanks for visiting!
@@StealthGTI Nice video. You do good work!
As someone who has a MK6 2.5. I can say from my experience VWs are pretty reliable. The problems they have are that their parts break due to time. Sometimes it just happens that a part will fail and a cascade effect will happen that damages other parts. There are a few oarts I suggest any Volkswagen owner who owns a 100k+ vehicle should replace. First replace the shocks and struts with coilovers. The OEM setup corrodes and rusts easily and has a high failure rate. Second. Replace the engine and transmission mounts. They are rubber and just like tires, that rubber begins to break down after 4+ years. Lastly. Keep up with maintenance and replace worn parts. Volkswagens do not tolerate neglect. You will pay with your pocketbook. It is also a good idea to learn how to do the maintenance yourself if you can. It will save a lot of money in the long run.
Thanks for your report. Oddly enough, I just had my car inspected by a trusted mechanic to ensure that my own inspection did not miss anything. He said everything looks great, including my ORIGINAL suspension, mounts, axles, and ball joints. I specifically asked, "Did you drive the car? What did you think?" He said that he wouldn't change a thing. The car has 228,000 miles. AMAZING that my underbody parts haven't failed yet. Thanks for visiting!
my Golf / second hand bought at 125K Km, had only two visits, the clutch master was failed, and changed timing belt ( as cautious move )
Thanks for sharing your experience!
We have 4 VW's , our EOS with the 3.2VR6 is at 228km with no issues, our B6 Passat 3.2VR6 at 118km no issues and a 2016 TSI Tiguan at 98km all ok and a Mk6 Golf TSI (not a Twin Charger) at 136km all ok. None of them use oil between changes
Thanks for sharing! Take Care!
My Dad still drives my Grandfathers 1960 VW Bug convertible. Its 62 years old, on its origianl engine and trans, and nothing but routine maintenance, which is allot due to everything being mechanical and needs manual adjustments. Cars can last if taken care of. "Reliability" is very subjective. I tell people, the only car that has ever left me stranded on the side of the road was a Toyota Corolla. Do I think Toyota's are not good? Of course not, its just to say, you can have a problem with any car. As a general rule of thumb, most cars will last if you take care of them.
I think I've said in other videos, "Take care of the car and it will take care of you." ;-) Thanks for sharing your experience!
I bought new VW GTI in 2012. I replaced battery and 2 water pumps. . 150K now and still original brake pads rotors, clutch. All I do regarding maintenance are engine oil changes. That all. 😅
I hope you replace your filters, too! ;-) Thanks for visiting!
Yes, oil filters, cabin filter, wiper blades and tires.
It is a great car.
Cheers
My 2019 Jetta SE, 100K miles plus, runs like a champ.
Excellent! Thanks for visiting!
I will say I would never do oil changes at 10k. Rule of thumb in my family for all our Toyotas and Hondas and Volkswagens and Fords alike has been every 5000 miles if using full synthetic oil, and 3000 if using standard. We’ve never had a breakdown and both my vehicles are running great at 104k for my Toyota and 227k for my ford. Meticulous maintenance will save you headache in the long run.
I will change my habit if Blackstone's report says that I should. As mentioned in the video, my TDI lasted over 445,000 miles on 10k drains and still had excellent compression when I sold it. Thanks for visiting!
3000k for standard oil is not needed, its not 1980 anymore, oils have improved and so have engines, your wasting your money doing it every 3000miles. you should be getting 5,000 miles out of standard oil.
I love VW and Audi.
I might have never bought a German car if my wife did not accidentally get a Jetta then Beetle from her Dad just randomly when we were still dating. And I found them to be fairly decent and reliable overall. Now I jumped in an S4. But I know the problem areas and plan to take care of them ahead of time.
Yes, I've said in other videos to "fix problems when they're small" so that they don't get the chance to create greater problems. Thanks for visiting!
Thanks for your input! Such a detailed description!🎉
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for visiting!
On my second VW jetta first one 16 Hybrid only a couple small things battery (under the hood not the hybrid battery) went replaced under warranty CPO warranty covered both blind spot monitors in each mirror with a $50 deductible traded at 72k for 2020 RLine 62k 0 issues so far. Love the redesign of the 2025 SEL Jetta not big on the haptic controls versus buttons and the tablet on the dash though. Came from Hyundai before just the laziest service after the sale I've seen in 40 years of driving. I can say I would buy another VW tomorrow as they seem to try a bit harder after you drive it off the lot.
Thanks for sharing your experiences! I'm glad you're happy with your Jetta. I'm beyond 233,000 miles now. Thanks for visiting!
just bought a 2024 tiguan hope it runs as good as yours
Thanks for visiting!
I spent $500 for the 40k major service interval (iridium plugs), 5k oil changes. 2018 Jetta 1.4 SE 5sp now with 69k and a double warranty (6yrs 72k).
Warranty fixes: dry coolant found on radiator seam (replaced radiator), oil leak (pcv related), drivers seat heater. That's all.
I hate ethanol so I run ethanol free 91. Expensive? 39.1 mpg avg since day 1. Zero oil burn. I go to an Audi.VW specialty shop that uses Liqui Moly oil. Recently bought Rain-X silicone wiper driver side (Bosch was made in china, not buying it).
Summer tires are Conti Extreme DSW, excellent in rain and rated at 168mph so I can do cloverleafs at 40+ if I want to. Winter tires are Michelin X-ice.
Temp engine mod is Liquimoly Speed Tec for a 0.1 tune :-).
Been on 1,000 and 1,500 mile road trips. Wanted to outrun a thunderstorm so I set cruise to 83 from Colorado towards Minnesota. Really like it so far, carplay needs Apple certified cable, Biggest gripe: the other drivers.
You and I share the same "biggest gripe!" HAHA! If only there was a way to keep everyone else off "MY" roads. ;-) Thanks for visiting!
@@StealthGTI The people behind me drive too fast and the people in front of me driver too slow!
You are as honest as they come , i love my VW
I appreciate you comments! Thanks for visiting!
I think the more relevant question is whether or not modern Volkswagens are durable. There is a difference. Having been an owner of American, Japanese and German cars including Volkswagen, I can say with experience that the durability of German cars is not what it used to be. My first car was an original beetle, which would just keep running and lasted decades. The only issues with it were the lack of interior heat or air conditioning, so it got replaced. If you survey the cars in the parking lots when you are out and about (which I do, because I like cars and the auto industry), it’s easy to find older Japanese cars that people are still using and it’s hard to find older Volkswagens still being used. Durability is important to consumers because a car purchase is pretty expensive. Lack of durability is far more expensive than lack of reliability.
One other observation I have made over the recent two decades is that issues with tires has gone way up, and it’s not because of the quality of the tires, but because there just seems to be a lot of fasteners falling out of the beds of handyman’s pickup trucks that land on our roadways. The other issue is with modern car batteries. They just don’t seem to last anymore, even when you keep them on a trickle charger. Too many people I know have had there car battery randomly develop an internal short and just instantly die, requiring the car to be towed and serviced. What’s up with that? I hope people don’t blame the automobile manufacturer for these type of issues, but I am sure some do. I am not sure what has happened with the battery manufacturers.
The new trend that I now see with newer cars (and I have been a victim of this, in terms of durability) is the increased use of plastic components in the engine bays of cars. Mechanics are seeing this across the board and it is causing lots of issues. They are recommending buying older cars to avoid the problems.
Thanks for your detailed comment! I think you'd have to buy a very old car to avoid plastics in the engine bay. And I agree with your observation that VWs are not common on long trips. My daughter and I did a 4000 mile trip years ago. We were in my 15 year old Jetta and wanted to count how many others we could see. The answer was ONE... and it was on a tow truck bed. HAHA! Thanks for visiting!
Great video. I am in the market for a daily running. What's your take on the golf trip & going. 2014, 2015 or 2016? Thanks
It depends on your location and your goals. If you're in the US, skip the 2014 since it's the Mk6 platform. The Mk7 is worth the upgrade! What about the infotainment system? Do you like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto? If yes, then you need at least a 2017. Otherwise, just about anything 2015 and later will be good, so long as the car has been properly maintained. Good Luck!