Toyota’s yearly maintenance cost is around $441, which is about 30 cheaper than maintaining a Volkswagen. The prices of individual service costs are also quite a bit cheaper, so even on a more granular basis, Toyota will be far less impactful on your wallet. Over a decade, Volkswagen owners spend less than $8, 000 on car maintenance. The parts for various Volkswagen models are cheap and readily accessible.
VW is fairly expensive to fix compared to other economy sector brands, with a yearly maintenance cost of $676. It is ranked below Japanese brands like Honda, Toyota, Mazda, and Nissan. Compared to average vehicles like Hondas or Toyotas, Volkswagen maintenance costs are high but not as expensive as luxury car brands like BMW or Audi.
For the four models-Jetta, Beetle, Golf, and Passat-the annual maintenance and repair costs are almost the same. The average annual repair cost for Volkswagen models is $676, giving VWs “above average” ownership costs. The average model will require 0. 5 trips to a repair shop per year, and there is an 11-year warranty. To help keep your VW’s ownership costs affordable, all new VW models come standard with Scheduled Carefree Maintenance, which includes the first two years of VW-recommended maintenance intervals.
In terms of reliability, VW is plagued with problems and is expensive to maintain. The Beetle performs very well with nothing more than the usual maintenance. In summary, while Toyota is cheaper to maintain than Volkswagen, it is not as reliable as other brands.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Are VW Beetles expensive to maintain? | I would vote no. Like most German cars, it requires proper, timely routine maintenance. Its exponentially cheaper to maintain than its other … | quora.com |
| VW vs Toyota reliability? | … VW; the Beetles performed very well with nothing more than the usual maintenance. … price for the service at the dealers is between $500 and … | priusonline.com |
| Volkswagen repair costs – Maintenance/Repairs | Assuming you’re talking about the “New Beetle,” they need repairs often and the repairs are expensive. If you’re talking about the original … | community.cartalk.com |
📹 ARE VOLKSWAGENS RELIABLE?
As I surpassed 150000 miles, I decided it was time to address a big question: Are Volkswagen reliable? I’ve had great success …
Are Volkswagens More Expensive To Repair Than Other Cars?
Over a decade, Volkswagen (VW) has demonstrated competitive maintenance costs within the automotive market. In a comparison of 30 popular auto brands, VW's service expenses were lower than those of 21 other brands, highlighting its relative affordability in maintenance for both cars and SUVs. On average, VW owners spend between $400 to $700 annually on repairs, accumulating to less than $8, 000 over ten years. Specifically, maintaining a VW Tiguan for 100, 000 miles is estimated to cost around $6, 715, which includes expenses such as two sets of replacement tires and brake pad and rotor changes.
Despite these savings, VW's annual maintenance cost stands at approximately $676, slightly above the general average of $646 for all car brands. When compared to Japanese brands like Honda, Toyota, Mazda, and Nissan, VW maintenance costs are more favorable, ranking below these competitors. However, VW expenses are somewhat higher than similar European brands and are less economical than some non-premium brands like Ford or Mazda when parts are replaced only as needed.
VW parts are relatively affordable and widely accessible, contributing to the overall lower maintenance costs compared to premium brands. Although VW maintenance costs are higher than the industry average, they remain lower than those of many luxury vehicles such as Mercedes-Benz, Subaru, and Ford. Additionally, the reliability of Volkswagen cars reduces the frequency of repairs, balancing out the somewhat higher costs when maintenance is required.
Advanced features in VW vehicles also offer value that can offset maintenance expenses, providing a unique blend of quality and performance. A 2016 study by YourMechanic affirmed that VW's maintenance and repair costs were below average compared to many other vehicles. Overall, while Volkswagen maintenance costs are slightly above the general average, they offer a cost-effective solution within the premium vehicle segment, making VW a viable option for those seeking reliability and advanced features without exorbitant maintenance expenses.
What Is The Most Expensive Car Problem To Repair?
When it comes to car maintenance, the cost of repairs can be staggering, especially for more significant issues. The most expensive car repairs often include engine or transmission replacements, with costs ranging from $1, 200 to $10, 000 depending on the damage and vehicle type. According to RepairPal, the top three most costly repairs are hybrid battery replacements, transmission replacements, and cylinder head replacements. Surprisingly, most of the top ten expensive repairs involve higher parts costs than labor.
Among the list, the clutch assembly replacement tops the chart, with repairs costing around $2, 119. Other notable repairs include catalytic converter replacements at approximately £2, 200 and air conditioner compressor repairs at $500. Engine replacements also prove to be incredibly costly, often exceeding $7, 500, particularly for luxury or diesel vehicles.
Labor-intensive repairs, such as a blown head gasket, can take up to 25 hours and contribute significantly to overall costs. The severity of damage can vary widely, leading to varying repair prices. Not all repairs are created equal, and while some can be minor, others demand serious financial investment.
In summary, understanding which car repairs are the most expensive can help drivers prepare for potential maintenance costs. Regular checks and timely oil changes are recommended to avoid excessive repair bills, particularly for critical systems like the engine and transmission, which carry the highest price tags in the event of failure.
Are Toyotas Expensive To Repair?
Toyota vehicles are renowned for their reliability and cost-efficiency, particularly in maintenance and repair expenses. Over a ten-year period, a Toyota Corolla is expected to incur approximately $4, 229 in maintenance and repairs, which is $1, 732 below the industry average for popular sedan models. Similarly, the Toyota C-HR stands out among SUVs, with maintenance costs projected at $5, 641 over ten years, outperforming the industry average by $2, 609.
These figures are supported by RepairPal data, which indicates that Toyota vehicles average $602 annually in repair and maintenance costs, significantly lower than the industry average of $891 per year.
For specific models, the Toyota Highlander has been tracked to cost around $14, 029 in maintenance from new to 100, 000 miles, while the Toyota Tacoma is expected to require about $6, 732 over ten years. On average, Toyota drivers spend about $441 annually on maintenance, compared to the typical vehicle’s $652 per year, highlighting Toyota’s affordability in the long run. Additionally, CarEdge reports that Toyota is the least expensive brand in terms of repairs and maintenance among the world’s most popular automakers.
Several Toyota models consistently rank among the top ten cheapest cars to own and repair over a decade. Models such as the Toyota Prius ($4, 156), Yaris ($4, 186), and Corolla ($4, 228) are particularly noted for their low maintenance costs. The Corolla, for example, not only aligns with average maintenance costs but also outperforms more premium sedans in the market.
While Toyotas are generally less expensive to maintain compared to luxury brands, certain repairs involving complex electronics or specialized parts can be pricier. However, regular maintenance typically keeps overall costs low, contributing to Toyota’s strong reputation for reliability and affordability. Resources like Kelley Blue Book and RepairPal provide fair repair price ranges and recommended maintenance schedules, aiding owners in managing their vehicle’s upkeep efficiently.
In summary, Toyota offers some of the most cost-effective maintenance and repair options in the automotive industry, making them a popular choice for consumers seeking dependable and economical vehicles.
What Are The Top 3 Most Reliable Car Brands?
Among 26 automotive brands analyzed in 2024, Lexus and Toyota lead in reliability, greatly outpacing third-ranked Mazda. All three brands consistently receive average or above average reliability ratings. The top five is rounded out by Honda and Acura. For the second year in a row, Lexus holds the top position in vehicle dependability with a score of 135 PP100, followed by Porsche (175 PP100) and BMW (190 PP100) among premium brands. Consumer Reports' thorough evaluation of 22 car brands indicates Subaru, Lexus, and Toyota as the most reliable, while GMC, Cadillac, and Rivian are rated as the least reliable.
The reliability scores come from an average of road-test assessments, safety ratings, and predicted reliability and owner satisfaction data. In Consumer Reports' latest edition, Lexus and Toyota again occupy the first and second positions, respectively. J. D. Power's survey further confirms this trend, providing segment-specific dependability leaders, such as the Kia Forte in the compact car category.
Additionally, Lexus maintains its lead with a predicted reliability score of 79. Overall, Subaru, Lexus, Toyota, Honda, and Acura remain among the leading brands in reliability rankings for the 2024 model year.
How Much Does It Cost To Repair A Beetle?
The annual repair cost for a Volkswagen Beetle stands at about $612, exceeding the compact class average of $520 and even surpassing some larger Japanese and domestic vehicles. The cost to maintain a Beetle can vary significantly, influenced by factors such as age, mileage, location, and service shop. Repair estimates range from $105 to $4, 128, with an average annual maintenance expense of $365 for models between 1998 and 2019. Classic Beetles, like a 1961 model being restored for $1, 300, can require total restoration costs ranging from $15, 000 to $25, 000.
This restoration typically includes upgrades like a 2110cc EFI turbo engine and Rancho transmission, though skilled owners may complete much of the work independently. Essential expenses like tires can amount to $800, while rust repairs can substantially inflate budgets, with minor rust repairs projected at approximately $3, 500. The reliability rating for Beetles is 4. 0 out of 5. 0, ranking 24th among 36 compact cars. For a 2013 model, repair costs are estimated between $589 and $720.
Annual maintenance for 2009 models averages $365, which is notably higher than for typical subcompact cars. Collectively, enthusiasts may spend upwards of $16, 000 to $18, 000 on upkeep, excluding fuel and insurance. The consensus is that maintaining a VW Beetle can become costly, especially if care is not taken with structural integrity and rust issues.
What Years Of VW Beetles To Avoid?
We advise steering clear of the VW Beetle models from 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, and 2013. These specific years are prone to serious issues that may lead to expensive repairs, particularly with the transmission and engine. In assessing the best and worst VW Beetle model years, our evaluation relied on metrics like real driving experiences, customer reviews, and official complaints documented by the NHTSA.
From our findings, the most reliable years for the VW Beetle are 2016 to 2019 and 2010, while the least reliable include 2013, 2012, 2014, and 2015. It's vital for prospective buyers to differentiate between model years to ensure a satisfactory driving experience. The recommended models include those from 2007 and the range between 2014 and 2019, as these have proven to be more dependable.
In contrast, various years dating back to 1962, like the 2006-2007 models, have some reported issues, but they don’t compare to the significant problems of earlier years. The comprehensive list of problematic models suggests avoiding those like 1962, 1972, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, and 2013. This guidance serves as a buyer’s guide, highlighting specific VW Beetle years to dodge, ensuring that buyers can make informed decisions when selecting their vehicle.
How Reliable Is A Volkswagen Beetle?
La fiabilidad de los modelos de Volkswagen puede variar. Por ejemplo, el nuevo Volkswagen Beetle tiene una calificación de fiabilidad de 4. 0, lo que indica que no requiere un mantenimiento excesivo. En promedio, un Volkswagen Beetle puede durar entre 180, 000 y 200, 000 millas y solo necesita reparaciones no programadas 0. 4 veces al año, con un 10% de probabilidad de problemas severos. Los mejores años de modelo para el Beetle son 2016 a 2019, mientras que los peores son 2012 a 2015.
La compra del año más fiable es recomendable, aunque la fiabilidad general de la marca también es crucial. El Volkswagen Beetle se destaca por sus bajo costo de reparación y número de visitas al taller. Sin embargo, presenta problemas comunes como fallos en el motor, en cerraduras eléctricas y en ventanas eléctricas. Consumer Reports ha otorgado buenas calificaciones de fiabilidad al Beetle, con un ranking de 10 de 26 en la encuesta de 2023. Aunque designaciones como "fiable" se aplican, los Beetles más antiguos, conocidos como "Bugs", pueden ser más problemáticos y necesitar más mantenimiento.
En contraste, RepairPal. com le da al Beetle una calificación de fiabilidad de 4. 0 de 5. 0, justo por encima de sus competidores. Además, modelos más recientes como los fabricados entre 2014 y 2019 son considerados opciones seguras, mientras que los años a evitar son 2000 a 2013.
Are Beetles High Maintenance?
The average annual repair cost for a Volkswagen Beetle is $612, reflecting moderate ownership expenses. Repairs are typically minor and occur with average frequency, making major issues uncommon, especially in the final generation known as "The Beetle" or "The Beetle A5" (2012-2019). These models benefited from improved materials, resulting in fewer problems compared to earlier versions. High-mileage Beetles can be excellent bargains, often available for around $7, 000.
Proper maintenance is crucial for longevity; well-maintained VW Beetles can surpass 200, 000 miles, though neglect leads to more issues. Owners report reliability in models from 2006, 2008, and 2012 when regular maintenance tasks like oil changes, brake replacements, and fluid checks are performed. Despite being simple cars, Beetles require consistent upkeep to avoid becoming "forever" cars, where maintenance becomes a significant downside.
In addition to the car, beetles as pets are highlighted for their fun and low-maintenance nature. Stag, rhino, and flower beetles are primarily herbivores, feeding on fruits and tree sap. They are easy to care for, needing specific environmental conditions and food sources depending on the species. With over 400, 000 beetle species, housing requirements vary, but generally, they do not require walks or extensive grooming.
Beetles can serve as unique pets and contribute to ecosystem health by controlling pests and decomposing rotting matter. Most beetle species are nocturnal, though some are active during the day and use camouflage as a defense mechanism.
Beetle infestations in homes are often linked to poor hygiene. Effective control involves cleaning infested areas, removing food debris, and using insecticides. Preventive measures include maintaining cleanliness and creating habitats that deter pests. Beetles play a vital role in ecosystems by maintaining balance and preventing the accumulation of decaying matter.
Overall, whether maintaining a VW Beetle or caring for pet beetles, attention to maintenance and proper care ensures longevity and functionality.
Are Volkswagens Good Long Term Cars?
Volkswagen (VW) cars are renowned for their longevity, with most models lasting between 100, 000 and 200, 000 miles. Proper maintenance can extend their lifespan beyond this range. Among the VW lineup, the Golf, Passat, and Jetta are particularly noted for their durability. These vehicles excel in technology, safety, and cost of ownership, making them a solid choice for many drivers. However, maintenance and repairs often require specially trained mechanics, which can increase ownership costs significantly.
Despite their reputation for reliability, VW ranks in the lower third of car brands regarding reliability according to Consumer Reports, US News and World Report, and JD Power. They also tend to have higher maintenance and repair costs. The brand's overall reliability rating is 3. 5 out of 5. 0, placing it 12th out of 32 car brands, with an average annual repair cost of $676. Issues with specific models like the Touareg, Atlas, and Passat contribute to these lower reliability ratings, although many VW models remain dependable and long-lasting.
Volkswagen's build quality and material selection have been consistent, with improvements addressing past quality concerns. Engine reliability varies across models; the TDI, 2. 5, and 2. 0 NA engines are generally solid, though the 1. 8T and 2. 0T engines may experience issues with water pumps and timing tensioners. Electrical problems are also a common concern.
Ownership experiences are mixed. Many owners report their VWs as reliable, comfortable, and enjoyable to drive, citing longevity and high-quality materials. However, some surveys indicate that recent VW engines face more problems compared to other brands. Post-MkV Golf models have seen improved reliability, approaching that of Japanese cars and surpassing many US-produced vehicles.
Volkswagen vehicles tend to retain their value well despite mixed durability records and lower rankings in long-term dependability studies by J. D. Power. Comprehensive warranties in most countries provide additional assurance to owners. In regions like Canada, VW cars are generally reliable, though some issues persist. Overall, with proper care, Volkswagen cars remain a reliable and enduring choice for many drivers, maintaining their status as a reputable German automotive brand.
📹 Stay the Hell Away from This Car
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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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
Great article. 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 articles kill me. 🙂
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 .
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.
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 !
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!
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.
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!!
Love this article, 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.
Good article 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.
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.
An excellent article 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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 articles. 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
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 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.
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 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.
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 article…
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 used to own a 2017 vw golf gti and it was a great car I had it for 6 year before I had the gti I had a jette and before that a Passat and there were all really good cars but unfortunately my gti got rear ended a few months ago I was fine I had to go to the hospital but I’m okay I’m still really sad about it and now I’m getting a 2022 golf gti so that’s good
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.
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.
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.
VAG vehicles need preventative maintenance. You need to know what is likely to fail, anticipate it and intervene before it fails. Timing chain guides, water pump, silica bag, regular oil changes to make sure the VVT doesn’t fail, coolant changes etc. You can’t skimp maintenance on them, and they reward being treated with loving care.
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.
I’d say you are in good shape mentally and your belongings reflect that I just sent my 09 Passat to the graveyard with 265,000 though It was expensive to keep on the road My current 2013 Tiguan is the most comfortable and most fun car I’ve ever driven After $3,500 in oil leak repairs it has another one but I’m just going to continue to add oil and enjoy driving it
2018 Gti Performance which I bought new. Worst car I’ve ever had for cabin rattles. Sunroof cartridge was removed twice when under warranty but they never fixed the rattles. The rest I fixed myself with Tesa tape. Literally the day after the warranty ran out, front nearside shock absorber went. First time I’ve ever had to replace a shock on any car I’ve ever owned. Also, there has been a constant wheel bearing hum since I drove the car out the showroom with 0 miles on it. It’s now at 50k and it’s hummin’ a good ‘un so need to replace it. Also had the electronic diff fail as soon as the car went out of warranty. Now sat in the garage is my 2006 Audi 3.0 TDi Quattro Le Mans. Also bought that brand new and in 18 years apart from brakes and tyres and it’s cost me less than £2k and it has NEVER rattled. Not once, not ever. Build quality between the two cars is night and day. My Gti is the second Golf I’ve had, the first was a 2.0 TDi. That was the most unreliable car I ever had and traded it for a Range Rover which was faultless over the four years I owned it. I would never buy another VW now. My wife also has a Polo Gti. That had a gearbox failure which cost a fortune to repair. VW are now the second largest indebted company in the world with factory closures coming and factory workers in the tens of thousands about to be laid off. Despite all this, when I was younger I had a Scirocco Gti Mk2. One of the best cars I ever had. At 118,000 miles the bores had oval its and it was smoking too much so I pulled the engine myself, had it rebuilt and re-bored, put it all back together and it kept on going.
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
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.
Touareg 2016 with 225 000 km on it (V6 3.6), the only thing I changed its brake pad (Rotors still good) and spark plug I did it myself, and of course regular oil change every 7000 km with quality synthetic oil. That all I did in 100 000 km (from 126K when I buy it), I recently did a check up on my suv and the only thing to do was the cabin filter… So yeah its realible its my fith VW/Audi I bring to more then 200K, never see a check engine light in my life
ive had 7 vws (4 passats), 1 bmw, 1camry, 1 opel. the 4 passats were new. the first one was crap. not the engine but the noises and strange ballbearing rolling sound went on until got a new car. and, once it didn’t start because of the engine. the second a diesel lasted 180,000. still good to go, but I got tired of the slowest. third was 2002 wagon. overall a great car 180,000. the 4th a 2010 wagon overall is a great car. this car has been great but the repair cost and vw itself seems to have changed. 5 years ago I was told there were oil leaks $5000 to repair. i didn’t do it. and now 2024 I haven’t had a drop of oil on the garage floor or driveway. now 14 years later 128,000 miles I’ll drive it until something major happens and then by another brand. the repair costs at a vw dealer are ridiculous. Wagons are great and i can’t for the life of me understand why so many people do the SUV thing. i think short people have a Napoleonic complex and once they get to be tall they never want to go back..
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.
These tips are not solely related to keeping a VW reliable but any car reliable. Apart from all that, gentle driving and regular maintenance really increases your fuel consumption and you are not holding up other drivers either. In 54 years of car ownership I’ve never had an unreliable car but there again, I never drove these cars like an idiot.
I put 144k on my 2009 Jetta Wolfsburg 2.0 T. It was not fun though. Replaced throttle body, PVC valve, gas cap, main seal, and the fuel line got a hole in it. The oil pressure sensor finally needed replaced and that was the last straw. I had probably 8 CELs. I don’t think I’ll ever own another. The car was great but the engine was crap.
2008 with 207,000 drives great, minimal repairs in the past 3 years. Well taken care of is the key.. I bought it in 2021 for 1200.00.. She owes me nothing.. going to buy a 2001 Passat GLX … original owner 95k miles…guy wants 2900.00… if it needs nothing it’s a deal. Just tires these days will set you back 700.00. I love my VW !
Hello. I am Andrei from Romania . I have a gti7 like you . 75000 km . Only problems was the batery and colant leak. Did you ever clean the valves or did you ever check the timing chain ? it looks like the injectors fail at 150000 km ( my friends gti did). Only ting i did that make the car drive and handle bether was the summer tires . I had dunlop sport maxx and replece with michelin pilot sport 4 summer tire . Exeptional tire . Handle beter, smoother . My gti is base model manual ghearbox and simple shocs ( a litle rigid on a bumpy road ) .
Some Mods can make sense but never financially. Increasing longevity can mean decreasing stress. You can decrease stress by making the car lighter. How can you make it lighter ? You can either get rid of stuff like rear seats (loss of function) or you can replace parts by lighter parts. Those are always more expensive. The car designer already made sure you are getting the best product for the best price. Or you don´t care and buy those super expensive carbon fiber rims and racing seats and what not.
Well I have been a fan of the brand for a long time, but to be honest VWs haven’t been that great to me. I had 99 1.8t Passat that had many problems but I bought that car used with a ton of miles, so it’s condition was probably as a result of neglected maintenance from the previous owner. That Paasat needed around $3,000 in repairs so I decided to replace it with 2015 Golf. I bought this car with the mentality that if I would properly maintained it, it would last but apparently I was wrong. I have tried my best to properly maintain it, but since it was new, it always seems to have some kind of issue. In my ownership of this car I’ve had: coolant leaks, oil leaks, trans oil leaks, water pump replacement (x2), engine mount, trans mount (x2), dog bone replacement, ac failure, premature shocks failure (front and back), front axel replament, sway bar replacement, baterries wont last (i have to replace them every 2 years or less), transmission errors, harsh shifting since it was new, sporadic rough idle, an oil pressure issue that no one knew how to fix and now at 90,000 the transmission started to slip. I know the car now has some age, but I think It has been a bit too much. VW warranty wasn’t been of any help because they never could replicate any of these issues. So yeah, VWs have been pretty crappy to me.
Finally someone made sense and told the truth i would choose a vw over a Toyota anytime don’t get me wrong Toyota doesnt take nonsense when durability is in question but i say don’t underestimate vw. One of my friends have a vw polo Vivo 1.4 litres and that car has just under 450.000 km on the clock and the radio has failed he just replaced it and the window washer jets have broken and the check engine light doesnt work but the gearbox and engine has not been touched not one of the problems left my friend stranded so stop saying vw is unreliable 😡😡
appears to be an overly optimistic view towards VW … My wife owns a 2023 VW Atlas … we suspect a small head-gasket leak at 8,000 miles and the dealerships response was that all VW cars burn coolant …. A very shady response from someone that seemed to not be surprised to hear about missing coolant before. Additionally, I the windshield washer fluid level sensor is not compatible with a rainX additive and causes the add fuild indication to stay on. The dealership, wanted $400 to just replace the sensor. (Parts and labor are very very very high) Instead I took the car home … spent 5 minutes and used up all the windshield washer fuild and refilled without rainX and fixed the problem. Today I will have a tire pressure sensor alert looked at .. likely a false alert causing the car to come out of service for yet another day… An owners Reliability Summary after 14,000 miles …. Strike one-Missing Coolant Fluid …a few software bugs bugs Strike two- Part cost and repair costs inline with Porsche, BWM and Mercedes … Strike 3 – you need to be very mechanical savvy to unneeded work and incorrect repair diagnostics and advice from gold source VW/Audi/Porsche employee dealer mechanics and service team. I have I decided to increase the service interval from 10,000 per oil change to 4,000 -5,000 using only expensive OEM parts and oil from the dealer ship. Hopefully I can still buy an extended warranty as this car looks like major problem are coming.
Part of reliability issues come with people believing in the prescribed maintenance intervals.i do full oil and all filters changes every 10000kms or 6000miles and never had engine,fuel or turbo issues.my Alfa Romeo 156 Sportwagon 1.9jtd is reaching 400000kms and it is better than ever,and the Passat Will get the same treatment
I got 200k only my 2015 GTI SE . It was good until I hit 180k or so . I had an oil leak, leaking coolant ( that was from the beginning,and ac) and some other weird issues . not terrible but my 2 Hondas combined were at 500k with less issues . It really just the actual costs vs my Hondas are twice as much. Like the clutch from honda was 900 I think and the vw clutch replacement was 2.2 but it was an upgraded clutch
My DSG transmission failed in my 2012 EOS at 85,000 miles, and I had to replace it with a rebuilt one, which cost me over $6,000. Before that, I had already spent $2,000 on a couple of computer modules. On the bright side, the convertible top still works fine—LOL! Both I and the previous owner had every service done on this car, including transmission maintenance. But one day, while merging onto the interstate, the engine just revved without the transmission engaging, and that was the end of it. I love the car, but it’s been a real money pit!
This is not a knock of Audi/VW but on DI engines in general. The issues with DI technology is so well known and documented at this point you would think some manufacturers would finally address the flaws in the design. I also disagree on your points about reliability. If an issue requires me to go into the dealer and be without my car then that’s a reliability issue. At what mileage did it occur? That’s a factor to consider. My CX5’s brake switch went out at about 100k. That left my car stranded (lol, it was at home but it also wouldn’t start sooo). I don’t count that as a knock against the car because it had 100k. Had it happened at 20k? I’d consider that an issue.
For me 2017 GTI had more issues during 3 years/48k miles than 2012 Mazda 3 during 9 years/108k miles. For example turbo died at about 45k miles on VW 🙁 Yes, it is beautiful car to drive when it works, but I would not get any other VW out of manufacturer’s warranty. Now I am a 2021 Toyota Highlander owner. Too early to discuss any issues, but assembly quality is way worse than on GTI. However, I was ready for that
My GF is a Toyota Service advisor. The difference between VW and Toyota are the labor / service costs. There’s no comparison. She tells me about the headgaskets, engines, differentials, paint, etc. They do have some major issues too, but Toyota takes their customers loyalty serious. If there is an engine failure while a car is under warranty, they want the engine shipped straight to Japan for a teardown. Sometimes covering repairs out of warranty. Toyota customer service cannot be beat, unless it’s a crappy franchise / dealership. I do prefer VWs though. Toyotas tech is outdated. They used ol’ reliable. VW pushes more innovation and they take risks even though it’s not the best decision sometimes.
A couple brands come to mind that have cars that are genuinely unreliable expecially on their newer models; hyundai, genesis, kia, nissan, infinity, mazda, chevy, ford, dodge, bmw, alfa romeo bad built quality, some audi specifically the V8 4.0T, subaru (specifically when modified), jeep, ram, porsche specifically the panamera and macan. I am talking about genuinely bad issues and multiple recals, compared to those brands expecially the German brands VW is by far one of the most if not the most reliable german brand you can buy, If you want to try something german VW is a pretty reliable brand, way more reliable than most american brands, i’ve genuinely had a terrible experience expecially with jeep and ram.
On my 4th vw. A 99 Jetta GLX, just past the 200k mi mark. And yes, with anything German maintenance is key to a long happy life! A couple things to add or question on the article.. 1. The engineers for vehicle manufactures design the car to last the warranty period. After that it’s more beneficial to them to have you buy another vehicle from them. Talk to some Porsche guys and more than some will tell you there were no problems until about the second the warranty ended; guess Porsche has it dialed in that way. We live in a disposable culture more now than ever unfortunately. 2. Why don’t you recommend letting the car warm up idling? I can understand maybe not all the way up to perfect operating temperature, but you said 30 seconds then go. Genuinely curious about this. I always enjoy learning something new or a different way of thinking. Overall good article with lots of good information in here 👍 Thank you🙂
Major problem with these car is carbon build up but I’d assume doing one of those carbon build up treatments and fuel injector treatments every now and then would be good and you also seem like a responsible no abusive drivers a lot of young kids get into these cars and hoon them that’s why they blow up same with bmw
I don’t think there’s much doubt that Japanese cars are cheaper to maintain and more reliable than German cars when they’ve been neglected. But to me, German cars are worth more. If I’m going to pay that much for something, I’m going to enjoy it (and do my best to take care of it). Toyota can’t touch Volkswagen in terms of body stability, quality of materials, comfort and handling- they’re just so enjoyable to drive, like they’re built around the driver. I drove an ’04 Golf for 20 years, now I’m driving a 2017, and I think it’s a safe bet my next car will be German, too, probably a VW.
VW gets a bad rep because of the cost to repair i.e. German parts are not always easy to find depending on where you live. On top of that, there are less VW techs/mechanics outside of the stealerships, and they know it. I also find that some indie Euro shops don’t work on older dubs, and most of them are used to getting BMW’s and Benz’s for the most part, only because there are more of those on the road.
I’ve really had an interest in VWs as they seem like fun cars. My family strictly bought Japanese brands like Toyotas and Nissans and they have been very reliable with basic maintenance. As much as I wanted to get a VW, I always read horror stories. Even the satisfied owners have issues like the AC compressor, slave cylinder, thermostat, o2 sensor etc. A lot of times it seems like it happens before 100k miles. This is something that keeps me away. But the owners seem happy to fix these issues and move on. I think this is what keeps people away from VWs. Relatively minor fixes can be expensive if you don’t DIY. Lots of minor things can go wrong before the car even hits 100k. I don’t think most people want to take that risk considering the cost of cars these days. They would rather get the overpriced toyota that drives like crap because it lasts a long time with almost zero headaches.
I was shopping for a new car the last 2 weeks. My VW Passat 2006, 2.0 TSI is getting old. 230 000km on the clock. I had a left mirror falling off, I had my PCV valve replaced which was not necessary. My mechanic was a ripp off. Dumb azz. I sorted the oil usage myself. I added liquid to my fuel, and the carbon on the intake and valves was the problem. My lumber support hasn’t being working for 2 years, but it doesn’t bother me at all. I shopped for new cars a few times, but every time, I stuck with my old Passat. New cars not worth the money. a New 2.5l Mazda 3 Hatchback, only have 183 HP. My old crock has 200HP. MY MONEY NOW GOES FOR A NEW KAWASAKI 1000SX, not a new car.
Buying Toyota ICE new or SH is expensive if you balance features vs cost. Their cars are not powerfull nor fun to drive, comparing with similar or cheaper VW priced cars. Toyota are optimised for consumption and for calm drivers.. Their reliability is a consequence of not offering any edge performance and a lot of electronics. Even today the old MPI is their choice on multiple engine developments. Systems that don’t exists in your Toyota car, can’t ever fail! On the other side, VW have technologies like TFSI (GDI) + many sensors and electronics that do fail or eat oil, and become maintenance intensive. If you fail faster service interval and preventive maintainance they really do break catastrophic more often. VW in recent years they push the costs reduction for their production to religion level. They stress their teams with unresonable cost reduction targets. The results we see durability is not a priority. Priority is to sell new car, and later spare parts. Plastic over plastic, cut corners, design to cost over and over. Vw managers knows that, and consequence is: VW offer much less guarantee than Kia, Toyota other asian makers. So, over longer exploitation VW don’t trust their own engineering .. in the first place.
They can be if you don’t fall for the heinous lie of lifetime fluids!! Things like transmission fluid are not meant to be left unchanged. Really to me 60,000 miles is a really long time considering that other vehicles get 30,000 mile transmission fluid changes. Longer service intervals just make the vehicle seem cheaper to own. That is until the Devil’s lie of lifetime fluids becomes obvious and you are faced with the decision of new transmission or finding a replacement vehicle.
Volkswagens are among bottom of the barrel of mainstream manufacturers when it comes to reliability. I’m looking at the car which had like 150,000 km and it already had an annual repair bill of 3000 euros. Every year for three years it had an extensive list of maintenance items. Oh, if you compare Chinese cars then they are head and shoulders above those. I just don’t even register Chinese cars as viable alternatives. Those tin boxes fall apart. Korean and Japanese cars are excellent though.
its totally unreliable we have had the Vw Vento tdi 1.6 … it all starts with the power window motors, then the knobs and switches go loose falling apart roof liner gets detached from the roof,,,,,, these are still what would one call as minor issues but the real fun is when the car starts to over heat or gives jerks .. pick up drops down all due to a poor injector ..and vw will charge you a bomb to replace one and the dealership guys and the guys at their workshop are the most stubborn guys in the whole industry and have basic skills what so ever ..but act like geniuses … its all peace for like 2-3 years or like upto 70000 kms after that starts the journey to hell
VW are 100% trash My name is Sam and I am a NYC taxi driver for over 6 years, and I had both from new, VW and Toyota. For every time I had to service my Toyota, I had to service my VW 6 times! VW warranty does not cover their vehicles if they are used for taxis in NYC, Toyota does! My advice is, if you are looking for longevity, with less frequent breakdowns, get a Toyota!
Vw tiguan owned since 09. Maintaned by schedule. Awful car!!! Leaky sunroof, multiple fuel pumps replaced, water pumps, injectors, chain tensioner, auto handbrake faults, turbo wastegate. O did i say leaky sunroof? Supposedly fixed by VW dealer still leaks. I fixed it and found the crappy drainage tube connectors. Fixed by dealer squirting black adhedive all over it!!! What a load of crap this car is. I’ll never buy a VW again.
Well, Vw is pretty much the bottom of the table in terms of reliability, just have to google most reliable car brands to see that. Im considering buying a 2017 arteon…but it has so many high tech features and vw has such a bad reputation im not sure i can bring myself to do it. It seems like vw drivers are like…very reliable, i have only ever had to….then a long list of repairs are listed. Wish toyota would just do their engineering for them, let vw do the styling only
No toyota are a piece of crap. sold an auris 1.2t 2018 make with 8nr-fts engine.. 1 failed toyota official alarm (10 days brand new car) 2 gearbox rebuilts and 1 water pump broken all underwarranty. car comes out of warranty and suddently sounds like the heat protecting cover has broken.. dealer says its normal.. GOODBYE toyota.. it was my first new car.. 90k km with extreme failures… soon a vw tiguan owner
VW are definitely not reliable. Reaching 200,000 miles is peanuts. I’ve owned just 2 cars since I’ve been working for about 23 years both bought used – 1999 Corolla & I still drive my 2005 Camry. Incredible. Reliability isn’t just about starting and moving. The metric also includes reliability of parts. Toronto, Canada.