My Volkswagen Golf 1.6 S is a 1999 model which I've had for eight years, since it was two. It's been very reliable until last Christmas when the water pump broke, but hey, it took 100,000 miles to break it.

Other unexpected problems have included:
* Brake pipe leak,
* Electric window jammed.
* Lambda sensor failed (but again, at 100,000 miles).
* Fault with radio - it sometimes (not always) keeps cutting out every few minutes. Just enough to be occasionally annoying, but not bad enough to bother buying a new one...

Overall though, I've been very happy with the car. Still on the original clutch, and I don't think I've ever had the exhaust box changed. Still looks great, paintwork in good nick with not a spot of rust (and I only wash it about twice a year), and the interior doesn't look like it's seen the miles it has.

I have owned my Golf for just over 1 yr and have had any difficulties with. I am more than happy with this vehicle and would recommend anybody to get one. However I do miss the performance of my MK3 GTi (ie my previous vehicle) therefore my only regrets are that I wished I had opted for the GTi MK4.

The S model of the Volkswagen Golf family car is extremely basic (maybe I would have been happier with a higher spec model? My first dissappointment was the stereo, there are 4 speaker grills in the car (so one would have thought that meant 4 speakers?) not so...only 2!...dissappointing for a music lover such as myself.

Secondly, no rear headrests

Thirdly no cup holder (crucial if like me you work in the car!)...VW wanted to charge me £100 for a new holder inc the £75 fitting fee....highway robbery when it only took me 1 minute to fit it myself!

Forthly, and most importantly the car has been the most unreliable I have ever driven!...the list is as follows:

Cracked inlet Manifold
Faulty door hinges
Faulty Stereo
General engine management problems.

I think the main reason why I would not recommend a Golf is that VW customer service is/ was (glad to say I don't have one anymmore)...shocking to say the least....to the extent that whenever I went into my local dealer to have work done there was ALWAYS someone else in there having arguments with the staff over the bad service.

My car was in so often I was on first name terms with the staff!