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Nov 06, 2018 - 09:53 PM
Hi there
If you're looking for as painless an ownership experience as possible, your best bet would be one of the later Volkswagen Golf VI derivatives. With the change from Volkswagen Golf/Jetta V to the sixth-generation, Volkswagen ironed out some electronic- and mechanical niggles of the fifth-generation, leading to a better-made car with fewer design flaws.
However, be aware that some 1.4 TSI engines (as used in the Volkswagen Golf VI) have presented issues with premature cylinder bore wear, with the first symptoms becoming visible between 90 000 and 120 000 km. This was due to a miscalculation in the engine's control unit software, which led to over-fuelling when used with lower-quality fuel.
Your best bet would be a Volkswagen Golf VI 2.0 TDI, as those have since proven themselves to be durable and well-developed. But, whichever Golf or Jetta you choose, ensure that it first receives a thorough evaluation from an independent third party (such as Dekra or the AA), with particular attention being paid to the engine's compression (if it's a petrol). This will show up any latent defects in the engine, before you buy it. Also insist on a car with a full service record, ideally from a Volkswagen dealership - this is especially important if the car in question has a DSG transmission.
Hope this helps!
The AskAutoTrader Team
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