Volkswagen Golf GTI 2013-2017 Reliability & Common Problems

Is the Golf GTI reliable?

The seventh-generation Golf GTI is, broadly speaking, reliable hot hatchback. Indeed, it does have a number of known issues (see below), all of which are detcable and repairable.

Parts are readily availble thanks to the vast number of Volkswagen dealserships and independent specialists in the UK.

Engine: Loud noises from the turbo, a loss of power, smoke from the exhaust and an engine warning light are all signs of turbo failure.

The IS20 turbo fitted to early cars is prone to failure and can even explode, causing shrapnel to fly into the exhaust and intercooler. Ouch. If it fails, upgrade to the more reliable IS38 from the Golf R.

High oil consumption is a common issue with engines. It can be caused by a worn piston ring, a faulty valve seal or camshaft cover seal. Be sure to check the oil levels and watch out for any big drops on a test drive.

Coolant can seep out from the underside of the thermostat housing (you’ll smell it) but it can be hard to spot a leak as the coolant has a coagulant in it. Check the oil pan for any residue and the car’s history to see if the housing has been replaced. Coolant can also leak from the water pump if it fails, which can cost £500-£750 to replace.

Wheels: The alloys are easily scuffed and, being diamond-cut items, they’re expensive to get refurbished. Also watch out for ‘white worm’ corrosion, because once it bites, the wheel needs a full refurb.

An owner’s view

Paul Wilson: “I’ve covered 20,000 miles over 18 months in my manual car, which has proven itself as both a go-kart and a long-distance cruiser. I bought it as an alternative to an estate as I have a dog and it has offered great accommodation with a compliant ride.

"But an early £1100 bill for a new air-con condenser and compressor was most unwelcome and, sadly, ownership has not been of the quality I expected - with high oil consumption and its body very prone to stone chips and blistering sills.”

Also worth knowing

A variety of special editions joined the Mk7 GTI ranks, starting with the 261bhp Clubsport 40.

If that isn’t hardcore enough, there’s the Clubsport S. With its rear seats removed, 306bhp, new suspension and a kerb weight of just 1360kg, it is arguably one of the finest GTIs ever – but only 150 RHD cars were built and it costs about £40k today.

The GTI TCR rounded off the Mk7.5. It looks the part but fails to hit the same heights as the Clubsport and can only be had with an auto gearbox.

Sam Phillips

Title: Staff Writer

Sam joined the Autocar team in summer 2024 and has been a contributor since 2021. He is tasked with writing used reviews and first drives as well as updating top 10s and evergreen content on the Autocar website.

He previously led sister-title Move Electric, which covers the entire spectrum of electric vehicles, from cars to boats – and even trucks. He is an expert in new car news, used cars, electric cars, microbility, classic cars and motorsport.

Sam graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2021 with a BA in Journalism. In his final year he produced an in-depth feature on the automotive industry’s transition to electric cars and interviewed a number of leading experts to assess our readiness for the impending ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars.

Matt Saunders

Title: Road test editor

As Autocar’s chief car tester and reviewer, it’s Matt’s job to ensure the quality, objectivity, relevance and rigour of the entirety of Autocar’s reviews output, as well contributing a great many detailed road tests, group tests and drive reviews himself.

Matt has been an Autocar staffer since the autumn of 2003, and has been lucky enough to work alongside some of the magazine’s best-known writers and contributors over that time. He served as staff writer, features editor, assistant editor and digital editor, before joining the road test desk in 2011.

Since then he’s driven, measured, lap-timed, figured, and reported on cars as varied as the Bugatti Veyron, Rolls-Royce Phantom, Tesla Roadster, Ariel Hipercar, Tata Nano, McLaren Senna, Renault Twizy and Toyota Mirai. Among his wider personal highlights of the job have been covering Sebastien Loeb’s record-breaking run at Pikes Peak in 2013; doing 190mph on derestricted German autobahn in a Brabus Rocket; and driving McLaren’s legendary ‘XP5’ F1 prototype. His own car is a trusty Mazda CX-5.