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Volkswagen offers many of its signature vehicles, including the Golf, in a GTI model. These models have remained popular over several decades, with many still on the road today. But, many people who are considering purchasing a Volkswagen GTI have a few questions about how they run. For example, many people wonder, “Are Volkswagen GTIs reliable?”
Generally, Volkswagen GTIs score relatively low on the reliability scale. They are prone to several types of issues, some of which affect the engine and transmission. However, when properly maintained, GTIs can last 200,000 miles or more on the road.
Below, we will discuss more information on the GTI’s reliability, then answer several other common questions prospective GTI owners ask. Keep reading to learn what you need to know before you buy!
Is The Volkswagen GTI Reliable?
Volkswagen GTIs have been around since the 1970s, and since then, the most popular Volkswagen GTI model has been the Golf GTI. Throughout their run over the past five decades, they have secured their place as a fan favorite in the compact car world.
These cars have many positive qualities. Some of those include:
- Excellent handling
- Fuel efficiency
- Quick acceleration
With a powerful four-cylinder engine, GTIs can accelerate from 0-60 MPH in as little as 6 seconds, and their average 28 MPG combined fuel economy makes them much more efficient than others in their class.
The Engine Can Go Bad
However, as much as owners love their GTIs, these cars do have a long history of unreliability. This is especially true when you look at the engine. You can avoid some of these potentially expensive issues by performing proper regular maintenance on your vehicle, as well as buying from the most reliable model years.
Avoid 2012 Volkswagen GTIs
Generally, it is recommended that you avoid purchasing any 2012 Volkswagen GTI models. Owners tend to have the most problems within this model year, including engine misfires and timing chain problems.
If you do choose to purchase a Volkswagen GTI, it’s generally advised that you choose a model made in 2017 or later. These have fewer reliability issues than older models, and if you buy directly from the Volkswagen dealership, you’re much more likely to qualify for the Certified Pre-Owned Program to take advantage of the extended warranty.
What Are the Most Common Volkswagen GTI Problems?
It’s best to know exactly what you’re getting into before you purchase any vehicle. For this reason, it’s essential to take a look at common problems other GTI owners have experienced before deciding to buy one.
Some of the most common GTI problems owners run into are relatively minor and inexpensive to fix. These include problems with the:
- Air conditioning
- Electrical issues that affect the power sunroof and windows
However, not all GTI owners are as lucky as others. Some people have also reported problems involving:
- Fuel pump
- Stalled engine
- Shifting, especially on cars with a higher mileage
- Out of all the gears, the reverse gear is most likely to fail
- Electrical issues that often affect the power windows can also affect the starter.
Starters can cost upward of $1000 to repair, and this part will need to be fixed before you can even drive your car again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
While reliability is the number one thing potential Volkswagen GTI owners ask about, there are many other factors to consider before deciding to purchase this type of vehicle. In addition to reliability, you should also learn how much it will cost to maintain your vehicle, how much you can expect to spend on repairs, and how many miles your GTI will last.
Q: Are Volkswagen GTIs Expensive to Maintain?
A: While GTIs are not the most expensive vehicle to maintain, they do have a higher-than-average annual cost than other vehicles in their class.
While owners of other cars in the compact class tend to spend just over $500 per year maintaining and repairing their vehicles, GTI owners should expect to pay approximately $800 per year.
Even though it is more expensive to maintain, regular maintenance is an essential part of owning a Volkswagen car, especially a GTI. If you neglect maintenance for too long, you’re more likely to experience reliability issues.
Q: Are Volkswagen GTIs Expensive to Repair?
A: As you may expect due to their generally low reliability, GTIs tend to break down much more frequently than other vehicles. However, the severity of these repairs tends to be much lower than in most cars.
As noted above, electrical problems, as well as issues with parts of the engine and transmission, are common problems with GTIs. Electrical problems are usually not too expensive to repair, but if you begin having issues with your engine or transmission, the costs could rack up quickly.
Q: How Many Miles Do Volkswagen GTIs Last?
A: Volkswagen GTIs will last at least 100,000 miles. For your vehicle to stay on the road for as long as possible, regular maintenance is absolutely essential.
While it’s important to properly maintain all types of cars, it’s even more important when you’re dealing with a Volkswagen. If these cars do not have their oil changed every 5,000 miles, they can start to experience a lot of problems very quickly.
If you take care of your GTI with regular maintenance and inspections, it will last much longer. Most owners report their cars still run perfectly up to 200,000 miles, and as long as you take care of your car, you’ll be able to keep it on the road for many years without experiencing major problems.
Conclusion
Although Volkswagen GTIs have been on the market for nearly fifty years, they tend to rank low in terms of reliability. Some of the issues these cars have are prone to affect the fuel pump, engine, and transmission.
However, like with all vehicles, how well your GTI will function depends heavily on how well you take care of it. With proper regular maintenance, especially timely oil changes, these cars should have no problems lasting 200,000 miles or more.
