Buyer beware…

ENGINE

It’s chain driven so you don’t have to worry about cambelt replacement, but you should make sure coil packs, tensioners and bolts are in good order. You will know something’s off if you can hear a rattle from the engine. Oil changes are recommended every 10,000 miles and the rear differential and four-wheel drive system need to be serviced every 40,000 miles.

TRANSMISSION

The R32’s DSG requires an oil change every 40,000 miles and is reliable if this is adhered to. Owners suggest the most common fault with the DSG is failure of the mechatronics unit, which can cost up to £1500 to replace. Manuals can sometimes struggle to get into third gear.

BODYWORK

Issues are similar to the standard fifth-generation Golf. The plastic lining on the wheel arches can wear away paint, eventually leading to rust. Other rust-affected areas are the door sills, just below the rear VW badge and the roof seams. The front lights can also suffer from condensation if the seals wear.

INTERIOR

The optional Recaro seats can wear around the edges and the seat mounts are prone to rattling. Leather seats can also sag. Damp can affect the battery storage area, boot, sunroof and carpets.

ELECTRICS

Look out for flickering headlights. Cruise control and climate control systems can break and be costly to repair. Some owners have experienced problems with the sunroof opening by itself. People have been known to disable the engine management system light if they don’t want to pay to repair certain parts so check it on start-up.