Volkswagen Golf Estate (2009 - 2013) 1.6 TDI (105bhp) BlueMotion Tech SE (Start Stop) 5d (2011/61) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

I had little choice in the car I ordered. It could also say "I'm an accountant" or "I'm boring" or "I'm stupid enough to believe that VW have a reputation for reliability".

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

I don't think anybody notices it. It's like a washing machine, a piece of white-goods which is just there.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Not a chance, because; - It causes physical pain to the driver. - It's not as reliable as it should be. - It's not very economic with the fuel. - It's not that pactical for an estate. - It's dull, dull, dull I tell you.

What are you likely to buy next?

Limited choice from company approved list but ignoring that, first choice would proabably be the Honda Civic Tourer as it and its specs look good. Alternatively Skoda Octavia estate because Skoda make a better VW than VW, I would have preferred this at the time instead of the Golf if it was allowable on the company list. Most likely to get Toyota Auris hybrid estate because it's on the allowable list and is low P11D tax cost, it also looks less dull than the Golf whilst being more practical. Ford Focus would be a good option, but the lease cost is unreasonably higher.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

Yes

What price did you pay?

£20,585

When did you buy the car?

September 2011

Did you get a good deal and why?

Got through company mandated lease provider, so no idea if they got a good deal.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Was the cheapest combined lease, running, and P11D costs of the very limited number of estate cars on my company's approved vehicle list.

What was the dealer like?

The VW dealers I've taken it to for service and repairs have been good all round.

What's it like to drive?

Uncomfortable on long journeys, the driving position is strange and something about it gives everyone who drives it one or more of; knee, hip or back pain. Gearbox is numb and doesn't give good feedback. Vehicle is too heavy for the 1.6 TDi engine, which lacks torque in comparison to rivals. 5-speed gearbox needs downshifts to accelerate on motorways more often than you would like, then it quickly ends up revving too hard and running out of puff. For a supposedly "Eco" car, the MPG is disappointingly poor. Average on a clear motorway run struggles to approach 45MPG quite often. Previous Saab 93 estate with 1.9 TDi got 50+ MPG regularly on the same run. It can be got higher but you have to be much slower (HGV speed). Wears rear tyres off on the inside edge.

What's it like to park?

Haven't pranged it yet.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Yes; - Door lock stuck after 6 months. - Unknown electical fault caused it to be completely dead, until the nice man from the AA fiddled with the connector plugs under the bonnet. - Turbo pressure hose failed after about 12 months. - Secondary coolant pump failed after about 18 months.

What's most practical about your car?

It's an estate car. But not very big on the inside compared to similar rival cars. The Ford Focus & Saab 93 estates I had before were much more practical. The Peugeot 308SW I had as a hire car was huge inside.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

None.