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Honest John: why can’t Volkswagen fix my noisy Golf?
Our consumer champion advises on VW quality concerns – and German car reliability in general. Plus: where can I buy an electric convertible?
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If your car has developed a fault, or for consumer advice, turn to Honest John by emailing honestadvice@telegraph.co.uk
Feeling rattled
I bought a new Volkswagen Golf Mk7 just before lockdown in March 2020, so have done fewer than 2,000 miles. I like the car but there is an extremely annoying tap-tap sound from the right-hand side. The dealer changed the seatbelt housing and subsequently the door lock housing and an airbag. Each time, the car is returned with the same fault. Because of Covid, I couldn’t go out on a test drive with an engineer to indicate the noise although it is quite loud. Am I making too much fuss, or should I persist to get this irritating noise rectified? PM
At the moment I receive more complaints about the latest (Mk8) and previous generation Golfs than anything else – I am guessing that VW’s supposed reputation for quality and reliability leads buyers to expect too much. If it isn’t the seat belt mechanism, the door lock or the side airbag, it might be the window regulator mechanism. There were several recalls over faulty welds in the airbag carriers and seats of the Golf Mk7.
Mercedes mythology?
I owned a string of Mercedes, all bought new, and had nothing but problems as soon as each car hit three years or about 35,000 miles, especially the top-of-the-range S-class. I have always serviced my cars at garage-recommended intervals, at the very least. I have since owned a Jaguar XJ (seven years old), a Land Rover Discovery (four years older) and a Kia Venga (six years old) and none has given any trouble. Is this unusual? SN
It’s a popular myth that German cars are the most reliable, as your experience proves. Cars produced by Japanese and Korean manufacturers tend to generate the least amount of complaints – and all figure towards the top of the various customer satisfaction surveys.
Roofless ambition
We always have a convertible as a second car, which doesn’t get used for long runs. To replace it, an electric car (EV) or a hybrid would seem ideal but I can find no convertible EVs, which would seem to be a missed opportunity. Is there such a thing? DG
The Smart ForTwo electric cabrio is great fun in city traffic but, as the name suggests, it only seats two. VW has revealed plans for an ID.3 four-seat cabriolet EV, due in 2023.
Short answer
I want to replace my 10-year-old VW Tiguan, but the new one is longer than my 2011 version. I want a similar car, not too long, and possibly a petrol/hybrid. Any ideas? EH
Look at a Suzuki Vitara 1.4T BoosterJet 48v Mild Hybrid, which you can get as an AllGrip 4WD if you need all-wheel drive and also as a six-speed torque converter automatic. It’s slightly shorter than your Tiguan. Alternatively, go for a VW T-Roc or T-Cross.
Brace yourself
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I bought a new Toyota Corolla 1.8 Touring Sport from a main dealer early in 2020. It did not come with a spare wheel, although there is a well in the boot for a spacesaver. Foolishly, I did not insist on one. When I had a puncture, your dim view of tyre sealants was strongly supported by an AA patrolman and the tyre fitting company, who both viewed the sealant as dangerous because any repair is unlikely to remain effective. I have asked Toyota to supply a spacesaver, but they say they are unable to do so because of stock shortages. Is there somewhere else I can get one? CD
A search on Google throws up numerous suppliers. But you need the full kit: a full-sized spare wheel or spacesaver emergency spare, jack, wheel brace, a captive nut for the wheel-well and a thumbscrew bolt to hold it down securely. An unsecured spare wheel could be flung out in a crash and seriously injure occupants.
Not pad
My daughter took her VW Polo to a main dealer for a service and an MoT test. It had some advisories, which included tyres and a suspension coil. She had these items replaced, but was also then told that she needed new brake discs (not mentioned on the advisory list) and also that the brake pads were 70 per cent worn. The garage then fitted new discs but not fresh pads. My daughter did not realise that it is pads that should usually be replaced, rather than discs. Is this a new money-making scam? GS
You don’t mention the car’s mileage, but normally the discs would only be replaced if corrosion had eaten into them or if they were worn thin. In either case, had the discs become grooved due to corrosion then the pads, too, would have needed replacing because they would also have become grooved. If the pads still had plenty of material on them, then they would have been fine (although they are relatively low cost and are usually replaced at the same time). It’s odd in this instance that the old brake pads were left in, especially if they were 70 per cent worn.
Pass the portal
What do you think about the many websites selling used cars? They seem to be popping up like mushrooms. Also, is it possible to retro-fit a reversing camera? AF
Some of the sites are simply portals through which any dealer who meets their criteria can sell cars. Their value to the dealer is supplying him with sales leads, which is why, whenever you visit a car website these days, you are constantly badgered to be “helped” to buy a car. Others are full-scale operations with huge factories that properly refurbish used cars before reselling them. It’s possible to retro-fit a reversing camera, but not always one that uses the car’s existing touchscreen to display an image of what is behind.
Spanish inquisition
![Seat Arona - front 3/4 action](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/2018/01/23/Arona-main_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqyrWwF6MtecCrN8V2WBmwDuSGsNXsSz6H8bjBT0ln1lQ.jpg?imwidth=350)
After 20 years of driving older Mercedes, I am embracing all the technologies that in the past would require a pilot’s licence with a Seat Arona 1.0 petrol. My only doubt is the reliability of the DSG automatic gearbox. Should I be concerned? KN
Like the VW T-Cross, this has the notorious DQ200 seven-speed dry clutch DSG unit but, since some improvements made in 2017, complaints have died down and are now almost non-existent due to the 1.0 TSI’s low torque, which the DQ200 is easily able to handle.
Where on Earth?
I bought a Audi S3 in March 2017.The best extra was the “virtual cockpit” with Google Earth overlay, but that stopped working. Audi UK said Google Earth no longer supports software for pre-2019 cars, but to get a free software update from my dealer (although this would not restore the Google Earth overlay). Must I accept this as technology moving on, or should I seek redress because the system is not fit for purpose? ML
Software updates are routine on all manner of electronics; cars are no different. Thinking that you may not have renewed your subscription, I checked with Audi and was told: “The A3/S3 from MY2017 onwards requires a free software update in order to access satellite maps. This update can be conducted at any Audi centre. The customer also needs to have an active Audi connect licence.”
Climate change
I bought four Michelin CrossClimate tyres for my Audi Q2, on your recommendation, and can confirm they are excellent after the snow and ice we experienced a month or so ago. DS
You should also enjoy a much better ride quality and steering feel.
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