Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 160hp Highline common faults.

2007–2009, estate, petrol, 160 HP.

The list covers this version.

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2 fault write-ups. 1 important. 1 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

1 important faults

expensive1

Water ingress through the collector under the windscreen

expensive

Leaves and debris block the drains of the water collector under the windscreen. The standing water seeps into the cabin through the bulkhead grommets, and it also reaches the electronics box sitting in the right hand side of the collector. Once that box is wet, the electrical faults come from there.

forum sources only

What to check

Lift the footwell carpet in all four places and feel the insulation
Smell the cabin: a musty smell indicates water ingress even if it has been dried out
Open the bonnet and check whether the tray under the windscreen is full of leaves

1 more steps in the write-up

comfort1

Electric window regulator: cable and plastic clamp

comfort

The cable of the window regulator jams or tangles, and the holding clamp (originally plastic) breaks, dropping the glass into the door. It is often preceded by a crunching noise. The repair requires removing the door trim; the refurbishment kits come with a metal clamp, precisely because the factory plastic is the weak point.

What to check

Run all four windows fully down and up, and listen for crunching
Try them while driving too: a binding window behaves differently when warm
Check whether the glass moves evenly and does not tilt in the guide

1 more steps in the write-up

Official recall1 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

A12/00923/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

The driver airbag's gas generator may be faulty, resulting in uncontrolled inflation and the release of metal fragments. This increases the risk of injuries to the occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.

Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

No engine and transmission for this yet. When they are in, you see them here.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim: Highline
Body: estate
Fuel: petrol
Transmission: manual
Engine size: 1390 cc
Power: 118 kW (160 HP)
Drive: FWD
Production: 2007–2009

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

Engine oil and oil filter
- LongLife30,000 km or 2 years(valid only with LongLife-approved oil)
- 15,000 km or 1 year
Air filter
- 60,000 km or 4 years
Brake fluid change
- first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)
Coolant (antifreeze) change
- first: 193,000 km or 10 years, then 97,000 km or 5 years(G13 / G12++: first change at 120,000 miles or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles or 5 years)
Cabin (pollen) filter
- 30,000 km or 2 years

All V versions

Information, not an expert opinion

We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.

A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.

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