A few seconds of chain rattle on a cold start, later a permanent noise; the chain stretches and the tensioner does not hold it. If the chain jumps, the engine is badly damaged inside, and the repair is a rebuild. The tensioner is driven by oil pressure, so it does not hold with the engine stopped: a car left rolling in gear is the typical trigger for the chain jumping.

The light, magnesium cased MQ200 and the MQ250, sized for higher torque, are the most widespread manual gearboxes in the transverse engine VAG models. Both have the same two weak points, and both depend on use.

The servo motor of the electric parking brake seizes: the brake does not release, or does not apply properly. The repair is replacing the motor or the switch, and the rear caliper can be affected too. On a used car it is a separate warning sign if the seller blames only the switch.

The front wishbones and the dampers wear far earlier than average: in the roadworthiness test the suspension failure rate on the B7 stands out, and the leaking damper appears primarily on this generation too; after seven years the figures go clearly above average. Symptoms: uneven tyre wear, vibration through the steering wheel, knocking on uneven roads, and visible oily dampness on the damper rod. Per side the wishbone is a mid range parts and labour job, and the damper costs less; when they come due together the total is a serious item.

The contacts of the lock module cannot take the current draw of the lock motor, so over time they burn through and their resistance rises. At first the door only sometimes fails to open or lock centrally, later not at all. The alarm often reports it too: the car sees a closed door as open. Typical fault codes are 67074 (central locking motors, electrical fault) and 67330.