Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI 115hp BlueMotion Comfortline common faults.

2012–2017, hatchback, petrol, 115 HP.

The fault list covers: CHZD, DKRF engine, DQ200 transmission.

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10 fault write-ups. 7 important. 5 recalls.

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

Before you buy

Known faults

7 important faults

expensive7

VII: early water pump and coolant regulator

expensive

On 2013 and 2014 Golf VII cars the early version of the water pump and the coolant regulator built into it fails at 20,000 to 30,000 km. The regulator does not open the main circuit properly, and the pump does not deliver enough. The temperature fluctuates, in extreme cases it runs up to 130 degrees, and the red light comes on. The replacement, labour included, is over a thousand euro, because the pump and the regulator are one unit. If you keep driving with the red light on, the engine can overheat.

between 20,000 and 30,000 km

What to check

Watch the coolant temperature gauge after startup: it should settle evenly and not fluctuate
Ask whether the red coolant light has ever come on, even once
Check the level in the expansion tank and the colour of the fluid

2 more steps in the write-up

DQ200 (7 speed dry DSG): mechatronics

expensive

A thin wall of the mechatronics valve body can crack, which causes a loss of pressure. The typical signs: jerking and harsh shifting from 1st to 2nd at low speed, a flashing PRNDS display, then a gear engagement fault, intermittently at first.

What to check

Pull away slowly from standstill and watch the 1 to 2 shift: does it jerk, is it harsh
Check whether the PRNDS display flashes or the dash reports a gearbox fault
In creep mode (brake released), does the car move off evenly

1 more steps in the write-up

EA211 (1.0 to 1.5 TSI): water pump and thermostat module leak

expensive

In the EA211 the water pump and the thermostat are one plastic module, and the pump is driven not by the timing belt but by a separate toothed belt behind the exhaust camshaft. There are usually two problems with it: the plastic housing warps or cracks (slow coolant loss, a sweet smell, rising temperature), or the drive belt ages (a chirping noise, then an engine left with no cooling). The housing is particularly sensitive if oil reaches it: for example from a leaking crankcase ventilation. The module has to be replaced whole: dismantling it warps it in itself.

What to check

Check the level in the expansion tank, and ask whether it needs topping up
After a cold start smell the engine bay: a sweet smell means coolant
Look for dried, whitish pink deposits on the exhaust side of the cylinder head

2 more steps in the write-up

Panoramic roof: drain hose leak

expensive

At the factory the roof drain hoses were fixed to their stubs with only a few spots of adhesive; heat separates them over time, and the water runs onto the headlining. The drains are also narrow and block up easily. The sign is a damp headlining around the A-pillar, or water in the footwell. The maker issued a technical bulletin about it for the 2015 to 2017 Golf and GTI models.

What to check

Feel along the headlining beside the A-pillars and at the corners of the roof
Open the roof and look at the drain openings in the corners of the water channel running around it
Pour a little water carefully into the channel, and see whether it drains out behind the wheel

1 more steps in the write-up

VII: knocking from the climate control blend flap motor

expensive

After startup or while driving a loud clicking, clattering noise comes from behind the dashboard, typically for three to five seconds, at irregular intervals. The actuator motors that move the climate control blend flaps fail. Stripping the dashboard is seven to eight hours of work, so the labour makes up most of the bill.

What to check

After a cold start sit quietly in the car and listen for the clicking from behind the dashboard
Set the temperature from cold to hot and back, and watch whether there is any clattering
Check that the air blows according to the set temperature on both sides

1 more steps in the write-up

VII: steering that binds, then jolts, on the motorway

expensive

On a longer straight stretch, typically above 100 km/h, a small steering correction first has to overcome a noticeable force, and then the steering responds suddenly, with a jolt. It is most obvious when holding a lane: the car does not follow your hand smoothly but "jumps". It does not come from wear but is a characteristic of the steering rack, and VW issued a service bulletin (TPI) about replacing it. Outside warranty the replacement is a major item, comparable to a significant share of the car's value on an older example.

What to check

Try it on a motorway or dual carriageway: apply small steering corrections in a straight line, and watch for free play followed by a jolt
Ask whether the steering rack was replaced, and if so, whether under warranty
Do not confuse it with suspension knocking: this is the force behaviour of the steering, not a noise

1 more steps in the write-up

VII: xenon headlight misting inside, milky coating

expensive

A milky, sometimes fingerprint like coating or mist appears on the inside of the xenon headlight lens, and the light output drops noticeably. It affects cars built up to mid 2016. VW issued a service bulletin (TPI) about it with a limit sample description, and replaced the affected lights under warranty. Outside warranty the replacement is charged per headlight unit.

What to check

In the dark switch the dipped beam on, and from outside check whether the beam pattern is even on both sides
In daylight with the lights off, look into the lens at an angle: that is how the milky coating shows up
Look for misting on the lower edge of the lens, it shows in the cold and after rain

1 more steps in the write-up

comfort1

VII: the Composition / Discover Media touchscreen does not respond

comfort

The touchscreen of the head unit does not respond to touch, typically in the cold; meanwhile the radio changes station on its own, and the climate and navigation controls are unusable. It affects the Composition Media and Discover Media units between 2013 and 2016. A software update sometimes resolves it; if not, replacing the display unit is a substantial item.

What to check

In a cold car, immediately after starting, try the whole touchscreen, including the corners
Look for discolouration or a separating layer along the edges of the screen
Try the climate and the navigation from the screen, not just the radio

1 more steps in the write-up

cheap repair2

DSG selector lever: failure of the P position switch

cheap repair

The dash shows "Error: Workshop! Only leave vehicle in position P" with an audible warning. The message appears in whatever language the car is set to, for example "Fehler: Werkstatt! Fahrzeug nur in Stellung P verlassen" in German.

Show the rest

The message points at the gearbox, but the fault is not there. A tiny switch sits in the module under the selector lever and signals that the lever is in park (P). Its contact wears and can also burn. That makes the signal unreliable, and the car warns you. The fault codes appear as 617752, P173400 or B116229.

At first it is intermittent. Sometimes the message comes up, sometimes not, so a short test drive easily misses it. Later it becomes permanent, and the gearbox can drop into limp mode.

This fault looks more expensive than it is. The maker released a separate retrofit switch kit for it (5Q0713128A for the black module, 3Q0713128 for the white one), which can be fitted in half an hour. The kit costs 70 to 100 pounds. At a franchised dealer, however, the whole selector lever module sometimes gets replaced, which costs 626 to 1,000 pounds there. So the difference between the two routes is roughly tenfold.

The affected group is post 2013 MQB platform Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda cars with a DSG gearbox. The switch is in these gearboxes, because that is what these cars have in common. The part itself is not part of the gearbox but of the module under the lever.

What to check

Watch the dash after starting: the message is intermittent and can be missed on a short loop
Move the lever from P to D and back several times, then get out and lock the car
Ask whether the selector lever switch has been replaced already, and ask for the invoice

2 more steps in the write-up

TSI ignition coil: misfire, jerking, engine warning light

cheap repair

The per cylinder ignition coil of these direct injection, turbocharged petrol engines fails. According to the Haynes service material this and similar simple electrical faults account for roughly eighty per cent of workshop visits.

Show the rest

In cold, damp weather, on startup, the engine runs unevenly, misfires under acceleration, and the engine warning light flashes or stays on. Do not keep driving with the light flashing: the unburnt fuel destroys the catalytic converter.

What to check

Start with a cold engine and watch the first half minute: a rough idle or shaking is suspect
On the test drive load the engine at low revs with a lot of throttle: the misfire shows then
A flashing engine warning light calls for stopping immediately

2 more steps in the write-up

Official recall5 recallsShow

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

A12/00787/24Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety Gate

Cars initially used for internal purposes of Volkswagen AG might not have been correctly modified before they were sold to the general public. There is a possibility that certain safety systems of these cars are not correctly modified for street use. 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.