Mk7.5 Golf - News and Discussion Thread

[Mr T.]

Hi all. It's been a VERY long time since I last poked my head in here. Brings up sad Mk7 GTI memories

Anyway, my brother is looking to purchase a used Wolfsburg Mk7.5 R and I just wanted to ask if there is anything he should be looking at specifically to ensure it's a good buy. Limited info other than it's sporting a DSG, has 62k on the clock and they want $49k. Dealer used so has a 2 year warranty (he's going to read that word for word to see if it's worth the paper it's written on). I can't find it on Carsales but the one photo my brother provided shows it is sporting an all-round Flow Designs slip lip kit which I recommend removing as that will be a PITA on inner Melbourne streets. The lip kit could indicate an enthusiast owner which could be good or bad lol.

Anything to look for? He's also looking a new Polo GTI.

Thanks!

I have one that will be handed back to VW at the end of this year. Will have 30k on it if you want to wait for it[emoji3]


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[gregozedobe]

Check the Haldex AWD system is working properly. If the gauze filter on the Haldex pump gets blocked it reverts back to FWD and spins the front wheels if taking off hard, if it is working properly they just grip-and-go (even on a wet road).

If it has crappy no-name ditch-finder tyres walk away (if they skimped on tyres they probably skimped on maintenance)

Look for a good service history (especially oil changes every 15,000km or 12 months, whichever came sooner).

Check for signs of a coolant leak (lots of thermostat housings leak).

Check the ride is comfy in Comfort (drive mode) and firmer in Race, and DSG should change to S mode when Race is selected

Check the Auto cruise control works correctly

Driver seat electrics should adjust settings smoothly

Check infotainment screen doesn't have any black lines or dead pixels

[mattaus]

I have one that will be handed back to VW at the end of this year. Will have 30k on it if you want to wait for it[emoji3]

Something tells me he won't want to wait!

Check the Haldex AWD system is working properly. If the gauze filter on the Haldex pump gets blocked it reverts back to FWD and spins the front wheels if taking off hard, if it is working properly they just grip-and-go (even on a wet road).

If it has crappy no-name ditch-finder tyres walk away (if they skimped on tyres they probably skimped on maintenance)

Look for a good service history (especially oil changes every 15,000km or 12 months, whichever came sooner).

Check for signs of a coolant leak (lots of thermostat housings leak).

Check the ride is comfy in Comfort (drive mode) and firmer in Race, and DSG should change to S mode when Race is selected

Check the Auto cruise control works correctly

Driver seat electrics should adjust settings smoothly

Check infotainment screen doesn't have any black lines or dead pixels

Cheers. Servicing seems to be an issue. Apparently it was serviced as required twice between new and 30k, but then wasn't serviced again until the current dealer took possession at 60k. Price also seems high for 62k, so he's going to low ball an offer based on the service issue and relative price. He's not desperate to have it so can be patient.

Thanks for the tips

[Mr T.]

Something tells me he won't want to wait!



Cheers. Servicing seems to be an issue. Apparently it was serviced as required twice between new and 30k, but then wasn't serviced again until the current dealer took possession at 60k. Price also seems high for 62k, so he's going to low ball an offer based on the service issue and relative price. He's not desperate to have it so can be patient.

Thanks for the tips

I couldn’t wait either.

Some good things to look for by Greg though very hard to check on owners driving of the car, launch control and if they tracked the vehicle.


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[gregozedobe]

Cheers. Servicing seems to be an issue. Apparently it was serviced as required twice between new and 30k, but then wasn't serviced again until the current dealer took possession at 60k. Price also seems high for 62k, so he's going to low ball an offer based on the service issue and relative price. He's not desperate to have it so can be patient.

Thanks for the tips

30K without an oil change ? Run (not walk) away, and don't look back. I'd also be worried what else was neglected if they couldn't be bothered to organise a simple engine oil change.

[iNcHeS]

I couldn’t wait either.

Some good things to look for by Greg though very hard to check on owners driving of the car, launch control and if they tracked the vehicle.


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Hey Mr T - I'm the brother in question and may have just put a deposit down on a 2018 MK7.5 R.

The contract is pending a pre purchase inspection I've organised with volkwerke in Melbourne. It's a fair drive ~35kms, and I will be taking it to and from the mechanic. So I'll have the luxury of giving it a bit of a work out on the way to see if there's anything that stands out... Obviously checking tracking history is difficult, is launch control worth trying to use on the way to see if any issues arise? Any other issues to look out for on the long drive?

Thanks a bunch!



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[iNcHeS]

Hey Mr T - I'm the brother in question and may have just put a deposit down on a 2018 MK7.5 R.

The contract is pending a pre purchase inspection I've organised with volkwerke in Melbourne. It's a fair drive ~35kms, and I will be taking it to and from the mechanic. So I'll have the luxury of giving it a bit of a work out on the way to see if there's anything that stands out... Obviously checking tracking history is difficult, is launch control worth trying to use on the way to see if any issues arise? Any other issues to look out for on the long drive?

Thanks a bunch!



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To clarify I ran from the wolfsburg, this one's a 2018 model my18, just a tad over ~30ks.

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[Grugly]

To clarify I ran from the wolfsburg, this one's a 2018 model my18, just a tad over ~30ks.

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Smart move!

The biggest thing to look for is the services have been completed in a timely manner and by reputable people (not Kmart tyre and auto).

These cars are fairly bulletproof if you maintain them properly.

Also, the warranty went from 3 years to 5 years in 2018 with some being sold under a 5 year offer so check with the vw dealership how long is left on the original warranty.

Don't stress about tracking and launches if it's been well maintained. Usually LC gets boring fairly quickly to most and is not used often after the first few.

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[iNcHeS]

Smart move!

The biggest thing to look for is the services have been completed in a timely manner and by reputable people (not Kmart tyre and auto).

These cars are fairly bulletproof if you maintain them properly.

Also, the warranty went from 3 years to 5 years in 2018 with some being sold under a 5 year offer so check with the vw dealership how long is left on the original warranty.

Don't stress about tracking and launches if it's been well maintained. Usually LC gets boring fairly quickly to most and is not used often after the first few.

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It's actually due for a service now... the dealer said they would service it before I took it, but im in two minds as to whether to let them, or just cop it on the chin and pay for a volkwerke service....

[Grugly]

It's actually due for a service now... the dealer said they would service it before I took it, but im in two minds as to whether to let them, or just cop it on the chin and pay for a volkwerke service....

Is it a VW dealer or a used car dealer? I would always reccomend a specialist does the service as generally they are cheaper.

If the dealer is a VW dealer than have them do the free service for you as the workshops are guided by processes and it would be hard for the apprentice to screw it up.

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[iNcHeS]

Is it a VW dealer or a used car dealer? I would always reccomend a specialist does the service as generally they are cheaper.

If the dealer is a VW dealer than have them do the free service for you as the workshops are guided by processes and it would be hard for the apprentice to screw it up.

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Used car dealer In saying that, I will be getting the volkwerke inspection done AFTER the dealer services it, if they do...

[Prins]

Hi, first time poster here.

My son want's to buy a 2019 VW Golf Mk7.5 with 160K Km on it. I just want to know what to look out for specifically to determine if it's a good buy. This will be his first car and I'm not really familiar with Golf Mk7.5, all I'm reading from the internet is the DSG issues with the Golf.

With that, what do I tell him to look out for when inspecting and testing the car? I've seen the Service Logbook and no mention that DSG Gearbox oil has been changed. Weird thing is it was serviced by VW Dealership. Would that be a dealbreaker if DSG oil has not been changed since new? Thanks!

[DV52]

Prins:Hi.

hmm........ I'm personally not convinced that the "DSG issues with Golfs" are a real thing!

Don't get me wrong - I'm sure that some (even a few) Golfs have suffered DSG problems - but the trouble with "reading from the internet" is that you ONLY hear about the bad-side of stuff. Very few folk write posts on the web when stuff goes right!! So yes, DSG problems have arisen - but how many actually go pear-shape in the total number of Golfs sold? I don't know!!

Anyway, ultimately it's a gamble no matter what used-car your son purchases - as is the chance of any other component in the car failing!!

My advice (for what it's worth) is forget about what has happened to other cars on the net and have your son focus on what IS happening to the actual car that he is intending to buy! By this I mean -I suggest that you ask the car, itself to tell you its health!!

As you may be aware, this Golf constantly monitors its own health and it stores a fulsome report of it's finding in computer memory. I've never understood why so many 2nd-hand car-buyers ignore this valuable resource when it's just sitting in the car waiting to be accessed!

This health report is far better than service reports and it's far more reliable than the seller's hyperbole because it's up-to-date, its complete and it does NOT tell porkies!!

Of course even with a good health report (meaning a SCAN with no errors)- there still can be no guarantees about bad stuff happening in the future. But at least a SCAN can draw a line in the sand and provide a snap-shot of how the car is feeling when the report is taken.

The bad part of getting a health report from the Golf is that a diagnostic device is needed to pull the data from the computer network in the car. The actual process isn't difficult - but you will need to find someone with a tool to extract the information.

I note that you live in Melbourne. Because this is your first post - maybe send me a PM and we can arrange something (I own a few diagnostic devices- so you can choose which tool you prefer)

Don

[Prins]

Prins:Hi.

hmm........ I'm personally not convinced that the "DSG issues with Golfs" are a real thing!

Don't get me wrong - I'm sure that some (even a few) Golfs have suffered DSG problems - but the trouble with "reading from the internet" is that you ONLY hear about the bad-side of stuff. Very few folk write posts on the web when stuff goes right!! So yes, DSG problems have arisen - but how many actually go pear-shape in the total number of Golfs sold? I don't know!!

Anyway, ultimately it's a gamble no matter what used-car your son purchases - as is the chance of any other component in the car failing!!

My advice (for what it's worth) is forget about what has happened to other cars on the net and have your son focus on what IS happening to the actual car that he is intending to buy! By this I mean -I suggest that you ask the car, itself to tell you its health!!

As you may be aware, this Golf constantly monitors its own health and it stores a fulsome report of it's finding in computer memory. I've never understood why so many 2nd-hand car-buyers ignore this valuable resource when it's just sitting in the car waiting to be accessed!

This health report is far better than service reports and it's far more reliable than the seller's hyperbole because it's up-to-date, its complete and it does NOT tell porkies!!

Of course even with a good health report (meaning a SCAN with no errors)- there still can be no guarantees about bad stuff happening in the future. But at least a SCAN can draw a line in the sand and provide a snap-shot of how the car is feeling when the report is taken.

The bad part of getting a health report from the Golf is that a diagnostic device is needed to pull the data from the computer network in the car. The actual process isn't difficult - but you will need to find someone with a tool to extract the information.

I note that you live in Melbourne. Because this is your first post - maybe send me a PM and we can arrange something (I own a few diagnostic devices- so you can choose which tool you prefer)

Don

Thanks Don! I just asked my son and the car he is interested in just sold. I will PM you if he can find another Golf that he can afford. Thanks again!

[Lucas_R]

Hi, first time poster here.

My son want's to buy a 2019 VW Golf Mk7.5 with 160K Km on it. I just want to know what to look out for specifically to determine if it's a good buy. This will be his first car and I'm not really familiar with Golf Mk7.5, all I'm reading from the internet is the DSG issues with the Golf.

With that, what do I tell him to look out for when inspecting and testing the car? I've seen the Service Logbook and no mention that DSG Gearbox oil has been changed. Weird thing is it was serviced by VW Dealership. Would that be a dealbreaker if DSG oil has not been changed since new? Thanks!

Somewhat irrelevant now because you say the car has been sold - but assuming its just a lower spec Golf with the 1.4L turbo engine, the DSG gearbox's fitted to these models are quite fragile. (a 7 speed dry clutch transmission referred to as the DQ200 transmission). The arch nemesis of this gearbox is the cost saving "dry clutch" design which really suffers in stop-start traffic and hill starts - leading to the clutches overheating which causes them to shudder and wear out prematurely. VW list he oil in this gearbox as "lifetime oil" but this is garbage and it would be a good idea to have the oil replaced by a VW specialist workshop.

Lots of Golf's with this DQ200 gearbox have had issues with the clutches and/or the mechatronics which is the computerised brain that controls the gearbox.

Given this particular car has done 160,000km in 4 years then I suspect its either a country car or has spent a lot of time on the motorway - which in the case of this gearobx, is the best conditions for it as there is very little opportunity for stop-start traffic. If, on the other hard, if this car has been used for Uber/Doordash etc then it's no doubt been in a lot of stop-start traffic.....one of the risks of a 2nd hand car is that you will never know it's previous life.

The diesels and high performance Golfs (GTI and R) use a much more robust DSG gearbox (still a 7 speed unit, but a wet clutch design and referred to as the DQ381) which is very reliable and has no problems in stop-start traffic, unlike the DQ200 used in the lower-spec Golf's.

VW has been using the problematic DQ200 gearbox since 2011 or so and the amount of issues and failures is incredible.

My advice for your son would be to avoid buying a car with this DQ200 transmission.