Volkswagen's Perception of (un)Reliability

[@obonk69]

love my 12’ tdi. it got the og clutch and dmf replaced at 250k miles, og rear brake pads replaced at 240k, and now sits at 263k. i don’t hesitate to jump in and do 2500 mile road trips in it. had a mk2 with a boosted 12v previously, and a 1.8t mk4 gti. i’ve loved them all

[@john_dee1431]

I cannot agree more with the analysis in this video. It amazes me how CR rates VW models poorly overall but their detailed category rankings reveal strong signs of reliability in key areas on par with similar makes.

[@stepanstepanavech5639]

I was saying this for many years VW are reliable but not forgiving if u lack of maintenance and when u buy VW make sure that it was serviced.

[@nsoper19]

Agree 100%

[@MyerShift7]

No they aren't. I had a brand new one and random crap broke and failed

[@stepanstepanavech5639]

​@@MyerShift7 listen mate i don't know witch car you buy from VW but were you ever stranded that you have to call tow even new toyota now have problems that is why you covered by manufacturer defect or problems a special new cars and yes i agree that the new car they don't make as good as old ones they don't wanna you to keep your car for 20years they wanna you buy every 5year new one with shit ton problems

[@flipimon]

A lot of times it comes down to the mechanic ​@@MyerShift7

[@WhiskeyInspekta]

My experience with newer than 2010 VAG cars in the amount of plastic parts they used in their drivetrain. Plastic oil cap, plastic coolant parts, plastic intakes parts, even their clutch parts. Ask me how I know

[@LaytonKnightt]

This is purely anecdotal, but I went from a 9th gen Corolla to a Mk6 Jetta 2.5 and it was not only more reliable, but far less stressful to live with. I don’t know if I just had a lemon Toyota, or a really reliable VW, but I am strict on maintenance, and the former was like playing mechanical whack-a-mole by 108k miles. If the reliability misconception keeps used VW prices down, that’s fine by me. I love how cheap, reliable, and fun these are.

[@jared2232]

Car reliability is such a vast topic I find it very hard to believe you can even really pinpoint your finger as to which brands are deemed to be reliable and which are not. Who owned the car before you and how you treat it yourself play a vast role in how the car will treat you in return. That's why everyone's experiences with different brands will vary tremendously. Just throwing it out there MOST people don't treat their vehicles great lol.

[@NeuKrofta]

Working on Hondas and Toyotas are worse than Volkswagons and the parts arent any more expensive. VWs are great cars for the most part

[@gvidobarscausks9272]

i had a VW Bora/Jetta Mk4 with 280k km milage and only reason i parted ways, was because of rust, but the engine was running perfectly and drives like a dream

[@atlasforge6524]

I personally feel the issue with gauging reliability a lot of people say I've owed it for 15 years and -12 miles. The issue with time is that doesn't gauge reliability in any sense of the word, miles do.

[@warbirdtbf]

I own a 2008 VW Rabbit which was bought brand new in July 2008. It just hit 67,000 miles. The Rabbit has been very reliable. I change the fluids regularly and I recently changed the spark plugs and coils (ECS Tuning). I had to replace the headliner because of the bad factory adhesive that was used. The fabric on the doors and on the rear side panels is starting to droop and pull away. This will be replaced. Maybe plaid?? I also have the infamous vacuum pump leak. I have the kit to replace the faulty gasket and this will be a DIY project. I plan to keep the car for a very long time. I am craving a 2021 Golf. I love the new GTIs.

[@scottferris6309]

I have owned Volkswagens for the past 14 years and have been very happy with their reliability. My local dealer has an excellent service department which has always taken good care of my cars. I am hooked. I would not own anything else.

[@mikealicious3848]

Currently have my ‘09 with 136k miles on it. I’ve been changing the oil every 4k miles or 5 months with 5W40 Leichtlauf High Tech Engine Oil (5 Liter) - Liqui Moly LM2332. It has never left me stranded. Parts that have failed on mine: 2019: ABS module, VCG, & serpentine belt (dealer) 2020: Alternator (Indy shop) 2021: PCV diaphragm (Indy shop), oil cap gasket (DIY) 2022: vacuum pump delete kit (DIY), MAP sensor (Indy shop) 2023: belt tensioner (DIY) 2024: valve cover kit (DIY) Upcoming fix 2024: OFHG (Indy shop) I’m getting my trans replacement out of at ‘14 Jetta 2.5l. Trans has only 27k miles on it for $700. I’ll be doing a drain and fill every 40k miles with OEM Febi Bilstein G055025A2. Many use Valvoline- maxlife, but I feel comfortable sticking with OEM fluid. I have done preventative maintenance on some other items as well.

[@eurodriven2507]

That's the same fluid I used when servicing my fiancee's 2.5 Rabbit. Same thing, heard about using the Valvoline stuff, but would have questioned it endlessly had I done it so went with the Febi fluid. The only other brand I considered was LiquiMoly, but Febi being OEM makes it an easy choice for very similar cost.

[@zachdelever196]

Going on year 5 with my 2016 Jetta sport (it has never seen a garage and I live in Midwest) I’ve only ever really done oil change, rotations, and brake/pads. Maybe I just got lucky on a work horse one 😂

[@loganle6566]

if you take care of the car, it will take care of you. I have a mk4 1.8t 5 speed that i’ve put 30k miles on and aside from freak accidents like cracking a transmission case due to road debris, she’s been dead nuts reliable. oil changes every 3k and timing services done on the dot per manufacturer recommendations. they aren’t as bad as they make them out to be

[@eurodriven2507]

My first car was a 1.8T auto box Passat. I had it from 130k to 160k. The random issue it had was a fuel pump die suddenly in the middle of winter. Otherwise it was the expected stuff after 15 years, CV joints, a coolant hose, a set of brake pads, and a valve cover gasket. I put a lot of miles on it and wasn't at all easy on it. It was a first car after all, it's expected to take a bit of abuse. In hindsight, I should have kept it. I didn't sell it for much and it would have been a better backup car than my Jeep is.

[@jellyfrosh9102]

3k oil changes lmao wtf What is this, 1965?

[@sandropasquariello224]

I had a GTI 87 used I had so much fun with that car.

[@wopsieneter]

I don't really get the reputation tbh. Both my parents have driven multiple VWs for years and there werent really any insane repairs needed, even on my dads 2006 diesel Passat that reached 600.000+ Km before he finally got rid of it last year because parts were too hard to come by. VWs have a lot of merits. Its a gigantic brand with huge install bases, so spare parts shouldn't be too hard to come by depending on where you live and a brand like that tends to stand to lose more than gain from actually making cars explode just out of warranty.

[@MyerShift7]

Nope. Not perception. Had a brand new, built in Germany MKV. Steering rack failed, clutch slave cylinder blew out (came out to car will fluid under it), constant electric problems, breaking interior bits (like every dash vent but one). Such a blessing when some kids ran a stop sign and the car got totalled. Luckily all* the safety kit worked and saved my ass

[@jaxonvictoria4345]

…on your sample size of 1? Lol

[@triplebarreldarrel]

I gotta say i love my sportwagon and my rabbit the sportwagon required a difficult to replace expensive part replaced once but besides that has been just regular maintainance and the 2008 rabbit is litteraly just standard maintenance and an easy to replace capacitor oh and the starter went after 150000 miles but was again easy to replace

[@wakisakamwela]

In my experience, a VW might last if you give it attention. The corolla will definitely last even if you don't...😂

[@nowayjose596]

Well put.

[@triplebarreldarrel]

Not if it's really new.. toyota and honda arnt really reliable any more unfortunately 😕

[@w32crazydev]

hahahahaaha sold my toyota turbo yesterday.. such piece of crap car.. 2 gearbox rebuilts 1 waterpump during warranty.. and i bought it new and never changed oils later than 7000km... previously to that i had a ford and never gave me such serious trouble

[@Ryy22]

Models before 2016, yes. Now not anymore, Toyota reliability has been decreasing with every year

[@w32crazydev]

@@Ryy22 definetly and i learned it the hard way. I dont have a car anymore :D

[@slipmoto317]

i had a mk6 2.5 manual jetta and it was very reliable and fun i would have kept it if i didn't trade it for an e90

[@topspot9417]

The difference between the Prius and VW is that once you fix something in Prius, it will last a long time, where is in VW you fix one thing after another and that is annoying.

[@eurodriven2507]

Not in my experience. My VW - sway bar end links. Nothing after for another 20k miles. The Prius, which has less miles. Has been through a couple coolant inverters. (Maybe more like 3 or 4). It needs end links, control arms, rear axle bushings, motor mounts, transmission mount, ball joints. It has an EVAP issue. ABS doesn't work. It's needed two wheel bearings, a blower motor, etc etc. Why in less miles has it needed more attention? All for less MPG, worse cabin, worse ride quality, worse power, etc, etc.

[@topspot9417]

@eurodriven2507 I hear you but this is just your experience and if you do your research and read multiple owner reviews Prius is winning in reliability. Same mileage does not mean anything as maintenance and the way how each vehicle is used will be the key.On top of that there were some bad years for Prius and VW, so you need to know this before choosing a vehicle. Just my 2 cents and the choice is always yours

[@topspot9417]

@eurodriven2507 find the Prius club where the owners share their mileage with 300-400.000 miles.There is a reason why taxi are using priuses, not vw

[@eurodriven2507]

TDIClub has plenty of members beyond 300/400k miles too. And VW TDI's are very common taxis in other countries. You're welcome to your own opinions, to find your own sources, but my main point is the reliability that I've experienced being superb compared to both of the Japanese vehicles I've had experience with being semi-problematic all around and those problems being an absolute pain to deal with.

[@thevashfan12392]

yeah this video doesn't sway my interest. I prefer to just change the fluids and shop the rest.

[@manikkumar2709]

hey guys can anyone tell about the reliability of 1 litre tsi

[@josuepaz9446]

I like your channel and just bought myself 2012 TDI Jetta but I disagree with you on the Prius topic. I did the spark plugs on my 2010 Prius and it was easy although you have to remove the wiper cowl it wasn't hard, easier then my 350 small block in my truck.the car was great, I thought the oil changes where easy and has an all original drive train including the original battery. loved until someone killed it in a head on collision at 254 thousand miles. hoping my Jetta will be as reliable

[@eurodriven2507]

The Prius sparkplugs are frustrating/difficult in comparison to another 4cyl. No, its not difficult or something you need to be skillful to do. Yes, it's easier than my V8 Jeep, but a VW 2.5 spark plug job is dead easy & quick, or forgo sparkplugs altogether with a TDI. Oil changes aren't difficult on them either, everything is fairly accessible, but it's messy compared to a lot of others, though again, not as messy as my V8 Jeep.

[@sinphus]

my 1.6 16v is bullet proof

[@r2dad282]

yeah, that 2.0L TDI that was dead reliable was terrible because of some paperwork swindle--good thing the entire industry killed them off in cars and SUVs by 2018. Am I looking to buy a new car? No, and especially not an EV. Looking for a 6-8 YO turbo diesel!

[@stevesimmons6685]

Nice

[@innocentram1800]

To be frank most people at least in USA are not the most responsible auto owners. Myself included, my first car was a MK4 Jetta. Most reliable car until I left home for college. AKA dad don’t do my maintenance anymore 😂 Yeah became a piece of crap since. That’s why I only drive Toyotas now.

[@Luwab]

Top side oil changes are big part of reliability as it allows the average Joe with a jack (and stands) to change the filter and oil very cost effective well beyond the warranty covered maintenance schedule. Most americans drive even newer cars like beaters and do the bare minimum (sometimes even less) of maintenance, this is where brands like VW will punish the owner.

[@MyerShift7]

Hardly... Brand New shit broke constantly

[@jg3000]

For sure the old VW Bugs were reliable.

[@ameena7654]

My first car was a vw and even though i loved how it drove stay away from them if you want reliability and low cost ownership and low maintenance stay away youve been warned

[@TonytheGr8]

Using the Prius as a benchmark for the Toyota is kinda wack but at the same time the Prius is waaaay more reliable than 90% of VW vehicles. If access to parts location is an issue for the Prius then at least you will be accessing those areas way less when compared to the VW. The VW has to be very accessible as it parts wear and tear 10 times faster when compared to the same Prius and you will definitely need the easy access. All cars last when maintained but VWs needs 10 times more care to go the same distance.

[@eurodriven2507]

I've had to replace less parts than a Prius of lesser mileage that I'm familiar with. Big items (as of late, just the last 10k) for that Prius... CV axle, wheel bearings all around, blower motor, the sway bar end links need to be done soon, maybe control arms too. It has an ABS fault code, it has a check engine light, etc. My TDI in the last 10k miles ........nothing but fluid and filters.....

[@TonytheGr8]

@@eurodriven2507 I get your point Bt trust me when u zoom out and look at both vehicle brands, you will see that VW are always high up in unreliability lists. It’s actually awesome that you get good service miles out of your VW but you are one of the few. You got to share your VW service methods with the others 😀

[@eurodriven2507]

@@TonytheGr8Like I said, some models are problematic, others aren't. If you do your research, buy right, and keep up on the basics, they're fantastic. I do share my general services in other videos.

[@TonytheGr8]

@@eurodriven2507 👍🏾

[@TwoDollarGararge]

@@eurodriven2507 I think it boils down to what car can you make last with the least and cheapest maintenance possible most people don't want to have there car worked on that cost money with the right maintenance you can keep anything going I have a 310,000 mile focus st original motor and trans and apparently these 2.0t's like eating headgaskets for lunch and timing chain guides for dinner

[@johncollinsworth6754]

I am so tired of videos featuring b-roll footage that has no relation to the voice-over.

[@mhrosek]

where can i find the Golf. balls. poster, or ad, or what even it is :D.

[@eurodriven2507]

It's an Australian print ad I believe. It popped up on eBay and I jumped at it.