VW Golf

was one of the best hatchbacks around. With an excellent drive and roomy interior, it can carry up to for adults in comfort. On the road, it is enjoyable and comfortable, with all of the equipment needed. The handling of the Golf is comfortable, assure and predictable.

While not as complex or agile as some, it is  enjoyable and well-controlled. This leads to a quiet, smooth ride. Occupants of the Golf will be comfortable with enough support and sophistication to make it an enjoyable vehicle to ride in.

To test its durability, Euro NCAP ran a frontal Offset Crash test on VW Golf (2004) and received a 5-star rating based on its performance and protection in high-speed front and side crash tests.

Watch the Crash test video here.  

Child Safety

The Euro NCAP recommends that children less than 3 years of age should be facing the rear. After the age of three years, it is advised that children be forward-facing. This is to avoid the impact on the chest.

The VW Golf is an adequately safe vehicle. In a frontal impact crash, the driver’s head and feet are the only things well protected, with the chest and lower legs receiving only adequate protection and the upper leg receiving only marginal protection.

The passenger is better off in that their chest is the only thing just adequately protected. In a side impact crash, all occupants are well protected.  

Maintenance & Repair Costs   

Repairs made to the VW may require higher quality parts. The great news is that these parts can be found at many dealers within the same price range and time commitment of any normal car.

Service parts:                   £80 – £140             (MANN, German)

Oil filter, Oil, Air filter, Fuel filter, Pollen filter

We recommend Genuine or similar, such as Mann filters & Ford Genuine oil, for Ford.

Cam. Belt change:         £250 – £350     every 60,000mi

Cam belt kit:                    £50 – £70

Br. Disc & Pads ch.:       £170 – £250    (FRONT, Pagid, German)

Diagnostic:                       £40 – £120

Labour rates:

• Independent:            £45 – £125 / hour

• Main dealer:             £175 – £235 / hour

The Service & Repair process, however, can be more time consuming and will require an experienced mechanic and occasionally special tools.  

Safety Features:

ANTI-LOCK BRAKES

Anti-lock brakes, or ABS brakes, will automatically sense when a tire has abruptly stopped rotating and modulate the brake’s pressure to allow the tire to continue rotating safely. With ABS brakes, the vehicle is capable of turning while in brake mode.

STABILITY CONTROL Stability control will sense when the vehicle has reached or exceeded its limit. It will reduce the engine power and/or apply the appropriate brakes. This feature helps prevent the driver from losing control of his or her vehicle. FRONT, SIDE, AND OVERHEAD AIRBAGS

The vehicle is loaded with airbags for protection of its driver and passengers. Front airbags protect the head in a frontal crash. If the vehicle experiences a side collision or rollover, the side airbags protect the torso and the overhead airbags protect their heads.

PRETENSIONERS

Pre-tensioners on the seatbelt automatically tighten the seatbelt to secure the occupant and ensure minimal injury.

SEATBELT REMINDER

Pre-tensioners on the seatbelt automatically tighten the seatbelt to The seatbelt reminder monitors whether there is an occupant in the seat and communicates this information to the seat restraint system in the vehicle. If the seat belt is not buckled, it sends a reminder to remind the occupant to put the seatbelt on.

ANTI-WHIPLASH

In the event of a rear collision, anti-whiplash head restraints in the vehicle cradle the occupants head to minimize any whiplash injury.

SECURITY SYSTEM

The ignition disable device prevents the engine from starting without the original manufacturer’s key.