VW Golf MK5 Owner's Review - Still a great family car?

[@tk4270]

I have one of these. I find it runs more smoother and powerfully on Super unleaded and original size tyres. Its a good solid strong car. Had mine from 2018 at 43k miles and have had no problems in all the mot's since but i do maintain fluids, tyres and brakes etc myself. Just had my AC regassed and 4 wheel alignment done. Great reliable car.

[@MostlyHelpful]

Thanks TK and I agree - a great car for everyone.

[@Dyo17192]

Lol I only discovered the super leaded part after some research. It was driving sluggishly before even thought it might need a service or new spark plugs. Runs much better now

[@tk4270]

@@Dyo17192 ESSO and Shell super plus unleaded...expensive but the best in ratio of good quality additives in my opinion.

[@squadmeta]

If the wings are still good I'd take them off and remove the foam that causes the rust problem and apply some sealant for good measure. Also the sills can be internally sealed at the same time. Trust me that both of those things will cause problems in the future and it's cheaper to do preventative. Good cars, less faults than the Mk6 and 7 too.

[@MostlyHelpful]

This is a good tip for current owners but I sold this Golf shortly after making the video as I had my eye on something else.

[@ajpepe72]

Just replaced our Audi tdi with a mk5 golf 1.6fsi due to Ulez, fantastic car, forgot how great golf’s are !

[@willpurser93]

This was really helpful for me, showing the rear seats with the isofix and a pushchair in the boot. I’m looking at one of these as a cheap 2nd car to ferry the kids to and from nursery and you’ve answered pretty much all my questions in 1 video. Thanks!

[@MostlyHelpful]

That's great to hear Will and thanks for taking the time to comment. Certainly as a cheap run around I think the Golf would be ideal so a thumbs up from me.

[@Harryd06]

My mum and dad used to have a mk5 1.5 FSI, it was a pretty nice car however due to financial reasons the car could not no longer be maintained well, so it started to develop sensor issues. After that we got a focus mk3 which was not quite as nice as the golf.

[@MostlyHelpful]

Thanks Harry, shame the Golf developed issues. Never tried a MK3 Focus though, and in fact I don't think I've ever been in one.

[@City1Tiger]

what a downgrade

[@4stroketube]

I recently bought a golf5 1.6fsi as my first car it has 230k km on the clock and its work 100% how it should be working im happy with it would def recommend

[@MostlyHelpful]

That's great to hear. I have a Subaru Impreza now and while it is more interesting than the Golf, it certainly doesn't feel as well made.

[@antti4125]

Great video, I’ve got the mk5 1.6FSI Golf as well. Great little car, good to drive with enough power and great economy. My suggestion is to check if your AC compressor is still the original one and consider replacing it if it is as they are vulnerable to break and hence breaking the serpentine belt and ruining the whole ac system (my ac compressor broke suddenly while driving leading to 1500€ repair bill as the whole ac system needed changing and flushing)

[@MostlyHelpful]

Hi Antii, thanks for watching the video and taking the time to comment. Interesting point about the AC compressor, I didn't know that so thanks for the tip.

[@syamin72]

This happened to me last year, wish I read this before 😭. Got the ac compressor & condenser replaced

[@kesser9877]

Mine isn't very economical even if I drive steadily without harsh acceleration. I just about get 160 miles from £50 fuel which is terrible tbh.

[@toplespecah666]

@@syamin72 what kilometer?

[@syamin72]

@@toplespecah666 138k miles

[@Whosaiaze]

Good video James! Clearly spent a lot of time and effort putting it together!

[@MostlyHelpful]

Thank you Mark. It's finding the time to do the editing that remains the challenge.

[@PitbullSMD]

A change of oil and filters is like just 100 euro now in 2024 in Romania for this one ,that includes the money the mechanic asks for the fact that it worked on your car . I have a 1.9 TDI 105hp

[@MostlyHelpful]

That sounds like good value compared to UK prices. Here you'd get charged the equivalent of €100 just for the oil, let alone the other parts or the labour to do it.

[@shininggodmsbeyblader8284]

Great video! Production quality on these videos is really good too!

[@MostlyHelpful]

Thanks for noticing, always trying to improve the quality.

[@ness8802]

I don't completely agree. Brought mine 2004 1600 fsi. three years ago. Get too many things wrong with them . I had to replace the nox, lamda sensor underneath myself. I looked into it a lot. Searched many parts places, cheapest was £350 without fitting , labour. btw!! Changed coil packs. One door lock mechanism. Need new light switch. My bonet is fine. Strutt coil and ball joints recently fitted. And mot. But it's a second hand car so to be expected. Had power and idling issues. But since major service it's ok now. Well sort off. There is a disturbing rattle , knock noise underneath. The suspension is crap !! Lol. Over uneven roads. Getting it seen to. I look on KZbin a lot. Front Lights I cleaned up with some cleaning liquid, paste from Halfords. I do like my car through. It looks good. You got a good one there. I think mine needs new shocks maybe. It's done 980000. Oh and the Air con don't work. Lol

[@MostlyHelpful]

Sounds like a nightmare OneNess with your Golf, but thanks for watching my video. For what it's worth the Fiat Bravo I bought to replace it I much prefer to drive, but it's definitely not as well built, sadly.

[@Tasos521]

how many miles?

[@penman8985]

I have a mark 7 Golf and love it. Great car. 👍

[@MostlyHelpful]

MK 7 and 7.5 will go down as some of the best Golfs ever in my opinion. Equally, the MK8 will go down as the one they got wrong.

[@JuliaNewham]

I have a 2004 model. Have looked after it very well and love driving it. Also live in Surrey! Very comfortable inside. Great size. Have trouble with engine fault codes, though. Currently struggling to know what is causing codes P3042 and P0420 that have suddenly come on together. If anyone has any idea about this, I would be really grateful for some advice!

[@MostlyHelpful]

Great to hear you've enjoyed your Golf Julia and sorry to hear that it has recently been misbehaving. Code P0420 when Googled seems to suggest an issue with an oxygen sensor (not clear whether pre or post catalytic convertor) and I found this thread which might be useful for you. Good luck in getting it sorted! www.volkswagenforum.co.uk/threads/golf-mk5-1-6-fsi-p0420-error-engine-light-back-on.22090/

[@md-detailing]

Great video! im a new subscriber and i cant wait for more of your videos! Hello from Croatia! :D

[@MostlyHelpful]

Hi David, thanks for taking the time to comment. I've been busy with other things and my latest video explains why but I'm pleased to say I'll be back with new videos very soon. Cheers, James.

[@md-detailing]

@@MostlyHelpful i will check out your last video later!🙏🏽🤗

[@paulomachava1856]

Great video sir exactly what I wanted thank you sir

[@MostlyHelpful]

Thank you Paul for letting me know and taking the time to comment.

[@russelltolley7947]

Lovely video. But I've always asked since I was 20, ( and I'm now 60+ ) why would anyone but any model but the GTI ?

[@MostlyHelpful]

Thank you. I didn't choose this car ( I took it in part-exchange) so that's why I didn't get the GTi but there's plenty of reasons to not choose the GTi. The obvious being that, for somebody who doesn't care about driving, they won't need/value the additional performance. For younger drivers they may want the GTi but can't afford the insurance or running costs. And for those who've had our fun in previous cars they may just want the smoother ride and easier life of the lesser models. I personally think the market (in the UK) at least has got far too obsessed with "performance" and so now we've got cars that have far too much power with far too firm suspension running large expensive tyres when our roads are in a terrible state and are speeds are being more and more controlled and policed. Those performance cars have squeezed out the competent mid-range cars so we now have polarised model ranges with some very slow low rent cars at the bottom and then some very fast uncomfortable cars at the top and nothing in the middle. The Audi A3 range is a good example of this. You either get 150hp in the entry level ones or after that you get an S3 with 328hp and there's nothing in between.

[@baraajad8484]

I loved your children just hearing you talking about them 😅 great review though.

[@MostlyHelpful]

Thanks Baraa, I really appreciate it.

[@alexfreedomrebel]

very nice video !

[@MostlyHelpful]

Thanks very much Makridis.

[@probait-o1o]

!!! There isn't hook for TOP TETHER in Golf MK5. What you attached that child seat is hook for luggage mesh (as you can read in golf user manual.). It is very dangerous to do this. Please note on video. Top tether always has its own label.

[@MostlyHelpful]

Thanks for your concern but you are wrong, at least when concerning Euro market cars. Take a look here and it clearly shows this is a designated Top Tether Point. www.vwhilfe.com/vwseite-176.html

[@howardg186]

I’m glad you didn’t drive it like Monky London!

[@MostlyHelpful]

To be fair it's hard to do a "full send" with just 113hp!

[@lucymot2010]

Thank you, just got one.. your right not much fun to drive 🙈😬 and mine has rush round the front wheel arch that I'll replace for now.. and I'll definitely puy something on the bonnet catch Thank you for confirming 😊

[@MostlyHelpful]

Thanks for taking the time to comment Lucy. Having sold the Golf I then ended up in a 2010 Mini and despite all the hype I didn't find that much fun to drive either. The Golf was, in retrospect, a much nicer car to drive (lighter controls, less rattles, smoother ride) and I do slightly regret selling it. The Mini on the other hand I regret not selling sooner!

[@itchyscratch3829]

Not compatible with E10 petrol

[@MostlyHelpful]

According to this list only a small number of cars made in a specific period are affected. The car featured in the video will be fine on E10. check-vehicle-compatibility-e10-petrol.service.gov.uk/manufacturer/Volkswagen

[@EastDallasKicks]

You forgot the better 2.5L vw blessed North America with in the “rabbit” 😎

[@MostlyHelpful]

That would be a nice engine in the Golf for sure. We had the 2.5 V5 in the previous gen car here in the UK, but sadly not in this generation.

[@derekparker2534]

❤

[@MostlyHelpful]

Thanks my friend 👍

[@gisellekalengankongolo7737]

5-door

[@MostlyHelpful]

You're not wrong there.

[@itchyscratch3829]

£290 per year car tax/VED!

[@MostlyHelpful]

I'm not sure what your point is. Plenty of cars from this era cost £290 a year, plenty are less and plenty are more. The costs are clear so nobody should be surprised.

[@Matty12333]

£30 a year on the Mk7 prior to April 2017 but it's a newer car so of course it's going to be cleaner than a Mk5

[@Traviconation]

Monkey London fans?

[@MostlyHelpful]

See here: www.youtube.com/@monkylondon

[@Traviconation]

@@MostlyHelpfulohhh, I see do you have any platforms to talk to you on, I wanna ask some questions please.

[@MostlyHelpful]

@@Traviconation If you've got questions on the Golf feel free to post them here, I'll remind you though that I sold that car back In April 2021 and my memory of it is fading as I only had it 75 days.

[@Traviconation]

@@MostlyHelpful I’m looking to get a golf for my first car at 17 when the time comes for me, but I wanted to ask you a few quick questions on how it performs. I wanted to know if you had any issues on the lowness of the car such as scraping on bumps and things and if the interior looks or feels cheap, and if it actually is spacious as it has transmission tunnel and the back looks tight. Also how high would insurance be for me at 17 years old and if it really would be a good first car for me. What common problems do the mk5’s have and how much do they cost to fix them and if the audio quality has deep bass or not, because you know me a young black driver blasting out music is a bit of me I can’t lie. If you manage to get back to me I appreciate you.

[@MostlyHelpful]

In your situation I would run some insurance quotes and see what the costs are. Given your age it's likely to be very expensive and that may rule it out, in which case the other questions won't matter. But to answer them, my Golf was comfortable and had no issue with clearance at all. Interior felt fine, better than my Fiat, not as nice as my Mercedes. Plenty of room in it for adults so no issue there, but the stereo was rubbish so that would need upgrading. Common faults will depend on which engine, but generally they are common enough that most faults are known and fixes identified. Good luck!