Polo rates worst in Drive return rate

[beefa]

Todays Drive section in the paper shows some stats on % of new cars without faults in the first 6 months.
In the small car category the Polo rates worst with only 49% of new cars sold not having faults.

[FL00DY]

Todays Drive section in the paper shows some stats on % of new cars without faults in the first 6 months.
In the small car category the Polo rates worst with only 49% of new cars sold not having faults.

Hands up as one of the 51% But that's terrible news, I feel for the guys that have had problems.

[Kai]

I have problems!

But i thrash mine!

[Wand Weaver]

I've got one of the flawless ones - although I really do feel for some of the guys here who've hit trouble with theirs.

I do have an issue with these surveys though - they don't define 'fault'. I mean, if the light that comes on as you slide the vanity mirror cover over stops working, that would be logged as a 'fault'. If your gearbox fails, that would also be logged as a 'fault. If your handbrake button makes a slight rattly noise, that would be a 'fault'.

Of the three - one is a lot more important than the other two. Yet they've all got equal weighting as 'faults'.

I'd like to see faults split up into 'drivetrain', 'essential electrics', 'non-essential electrics', 'interior trim' and 'bodywork' to see where the faults actually lie. The definition of 'essential electrics' would be electrical systems essential to the safe operation of the car.

Radio head unit problems or power windows/mirror problems aren't essential. Coilpacks and Headlamps, on the other hand, are.

[Timbo]

I'm also one of the happy campers, although I do (now) have the creaking door seals the unlocateable dash rattle in hot weather, and have blown the 12v accessory plug fuse.

Nothing I can't live with or which detracts from my overall enjoyment of the car

[natee]

Gone through 4 cupholders, bonnet was not aligned, and 12v accessory plug also wasn't working but nothing drastic...

a bit upset with the cupholders but hey at least it wasn't something important, just inconvenient, how hard is it to replace a cupholder properly

[phaeton]

I'd expect them all to be GTIs

Seems the Spanish have Siestas afterall

[REDMKVGTI]

The numbers dont mean a lot really. As has been said, you need to break down "faults" into stuff that matter, and stuff that doesn't. Also, people that buy a GTI tend to be a little bit fanatical, and so probably bring the car back for less significant foibles than say the average Hyundai driver.

Then maybe I'm wrong, and they are dodgy little beasts, not that it would make you love it any less.

[Eddy]

Hoyhoy.
I'm in the 49% .
& loving the little girl.
Haven't been back to VW as yet.

[beefa]

That 51% is people who HAVE had problems : ) Its worth noting the figures were for 2006... hope 2007 is better

[Golf Loon]

I have issues with "Drive" as a publication. These are the same fools who wax lyrical about the latest commodore and criticize any car that needs premium petrol, no matter if it makes you go further.

[shaneth]

I have issues with "Drive" as a publication. These are the same fools who wax lyrical about the latest commodore and criticize any car that needs premium petrol, no matter if it makes you go further.

Good call. As its been said before whats a fault consist of in there survey. Grain of salt. Thats all i will say.

[gpk_gti]

"drive" written by old codgers who wear cardigans and enjoy the smell of wee!! wouldnt even use "drive " as dunny paper..when are they going to do a write up about all the problems with the new commonwhore???

[Ben_GTI]

the unlocateable dash rattle in hot weather

If you hit the passenger side dash as hard as you can it stops for 2 weeks. I don't even want to explain how I found this one out.

[DaveMack]

(some) Journo's rule of thumb ...

Interview two people with identical cars. One says: "It's great!" other says: "It's crap .." and then proceeds to whinge for 15 minutes. Journo measures by time spent with each owner.

Anyway ... I had an odd fault today (that appears to have self-corrected) ... started the engine after sitting in car park (waiting for you know who) and the driver's window was down for air circulation. As we moved off ... went to raise the window. Nuttin'. Window didn't budge. So I tried the switch for the passenger window ... same nuttin. ??? WTF goes on here? Got home. Turned engine off. Re-started ... windows fine. I'm at a loss.

Dave