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Volkswagen
Golf
Mk7·
2013-2020
hatch
Value
Price (AUD)
$10k-$40k
Body styles
5-door hatch, Wagon (Golf Wagon / Alltrack)
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive (FWD), 4MOTION all-wheel drive (Golf R, Alltrack)
Origin
Germany
Built in
Germany
Overview
The Mk7 (2013-2020, with a Mk7.5 facelift from mid-2017) was built on VW's MQB platform and sold in Australia across Trendline/Comfortline/Highline trims plus the hot GTI and AWD Golf R, with a Wagon and Alltrack body. Engines were near all turbocharged: the 1.4L EA211 TSI (badged 90TSI/92TSI then 103TSI/110TSI, the volume sellers), a 1.8L TSI Highline, a 2.0L EA288 110TDI turbo-diesel, and the 2.0L EA888 TSI in the GTI (162kW, 169kW Performance, up to 213kW in special editions) and Golf R (206kW Mk7, 213kW Mk7.5). The Australian-delivered GTE plug-in hybrid and e-Golf EV were NOT officially sold here in this generation, so they are excluded. The defining caveats are VW-typical: the DQ200 7-speed dry-clutch DSG's mechatronic and clutch-pack failures (a major AU recall/saga), the EA211's plastic water-pump housing, EA888 timing-chain tensioner and turbo concerns on the hot cars, and the EA189 1.6/2.0 diesel Dieselgate emissions recall on early TDIs. A well-maintained, DSG-sorted example is a genuinely good drive; a neglected one can be expensive.
Engines & variants
1.4L TSI petrol (90TSI/92TSI/103TSI/110TSI)
Engine
1.4L turbocharged direct-injection I4 (some 103TSI/110TSI add cylinder deactivation - ACT)
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
1395cc
Power
90-110kW (90TSI 90kW / 92TSI 92kW / 103TSI 103kW / 110TSI 110kW)
Torque
200Nm (90/92TSI) / 250Nm (103/110TSI)
Drivetrain
FWD
Economy
5.2-6.5 L/100km combined
Transmission
6MT, 7-speed DSG (DQ200 dry clutch)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Belt-driven (cam belt) - approx 90,000-120,000km / time-based interval
Pros
- Refined, economical and torquey for a small-capacity turbo
- Proven EA211 - far better than the older EA111 1.4 TSI it replaced
- Belt-driven (no EA111 chain-tensioner nightmare)
- 110TSI with ACT cylinder deactivation is the sweet spot
Cons
- DQ200 7-speed dry-clutch DSG is the weak point (see problems)
- Plastic water-pump/thermostat housing leaks
- Direct-injection intake-valve carbon over time
- Needs 95 RON premium unleaded
Known problems
high
DQ200 7-speed dry-clutch DSG failure (mechatronic / clutch pack)
The DQ200 dry-clutch 7-speed DSG suffers mechatronic valve-body failures (loss of high pressure, jerky shifts, neutral/limp events) and clutch-pack wear that causes shudder and slip, especially in stop-start city use. Subject of an Australian recall/service action for power-interruption faults; pre-2015 units are worst.
Fix: Mechatronic unit replacement or rebuild and/or clutch-pack replacement; confirm any recall software/hardware updates were done. Prefer a serviced car with DSG fluid history (DQ200 uses a sealed gearbox but mechatronic gets fluid).
medium
Water pump / thermostat housing coolant leak
The EA211's plastic integrated water-pump/thermostat housing warps and leaks, showing as slowly dropping coolant and damp around the pump.
Fix: Replace the water pump/thermostat assembly with the updated part; common preventive job.
low
Intake-valve carbon build-up (direct injection)
Direct injection means no fuel washes the intake valves, so carbon accumulates causing rough idle, misfire and lost power over time.
Fix: Walnut-blast intake clean; regular highway runs and quality fuel slow it.
1.8L TSI petrol (Highline)
Engine
1.8L turbocharged direct + port injection I4 (EA888 Gen3)
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
1798cc
Power
132kW @ 4500-6200rpm
Torque
280Nm @ 1350-4500rpm (250Nm on early manual)
Drivetrain
FWD
Economy
6.0-7.0 L/100km combined
Transmission
6MT, 7-speed DSG (DQ200 dry clutch)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (timing chain)
Pros
- Strong, flexible mid-range - the pick of the non-GTI petrols
- EA888 Gen3 adds port injection, easing carbon vs pure DI
- Premium Highline-grade equipment
- Smooth and quiet for the class
Cons
- Same DQ200 dry-clutch DSG concerns as the 1.4
- EA888 timing-chain tensioner attention (less acute than older Gen2)
- Can use oil if maintenance is stretched
- Premium fuel required
Known problems
high
DQ200 7-speed dry-clutch DSG failure
Shares the 1.4's DQ200 dry-clutch DSG: mechatronic valve-body faults and clutch-pack wear causing shudder, jerky shifts and limp-mode/neutral events, worse in city driving.
Fix: Mechatronic and/or clutch-pack replacement; verify recall actions and shift quality on test drive.
medium
EA888 timing-chain tensioner
EA888 engines can suffer a weak chain tensioner; a rattle on cold start is the warning. Gen3 is improved over Gen2 but worth checking.
Fix: Replace tensioner (and chain if stretched) with the updated part; address any cold-start rattle promptly.
low
Oil consumption
Some EA888s consume oil via PCV/valve-stem or ring wear if servicing was stretched.
Fix: Monitor oil level; PCV/breather service; ring work only if severe.
2.0L TDI diesel (110TDI)
Engine
2.0L common-rail turbo-diesel I4 (DPF) - early 2013-15 cars used the EA189 Dieselgate engine; later cars use the clean EA288
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
1968cc
Power
110kW @ 3500-4000rpm
Torque
320Nm @ 1750-3000rpm
Drivetrain
FWD
Economy
4.5-5.5 L/100km combined
Transmission
6MT, 6-speed DSG (DQ250 wet clutch)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Belt-driven (cam belt) - time/km based interval
Pros
- Excellent economy and strong low-down torque for touring
- Pairs with the tougher 6-speed wet-clutch DQ250 DSG, not the DQ200
- Long-legged and quiet highway cruiser
- Good value used as buyers shun diesel
Cons
- Early 2013-2015 cars carry the EA189 Dieselgate engine and emissions recall
- DPF/EGR issues on short urban-only running
- Injector/EGR maintenance at higher km
- Post-Dieselgate fix blamed by some owners for EGR/economy niggles
Known problems
medium
EA189 Dieselgate emissions defeat-device recall (2013-2015)
Early 110TDIs used the EA189 engine fitted with emissions defeat-device software that breached ADR 79. VW ran a mandatory Australian recall (software, plus a flow transformer on 1.6 TDI) to bring them into compliance. Some owners report post-fix EGR and economy complaints.
Fix: Confirm the emissions recall was completed via VIN check; budget for EGR cleaning/replacement if symptoms appear.
medium
DPF clogging / regeneration issues
Diesel particulate filter clogs on short, cold, urban-only trips that prevent regeneration, triggering warnings and limp mode.
Fix: Regular highway runs to complete regens; forced regen or DPF clean/replace if blocked.
medium
EGR valve / cooler and intake soot
EGR valve sticking and intake-manifold soot are the usual common-rail diesel ancillaries, causing rough running and limp mode.
Fix: EGR clean or replacement and intake clean by a diesel specialist.
2.0L TSI petrol - GTI (162kW / 169kW Performance)
Engine
2.0L turbocharged direct-injection I4 (EA888 Gen3); GTI 162kW, GTI Performance 169kW, special editions to 213kW
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
1984cc
Power
162kW (GTI) / 169kW (Performance) / up to 213kW (40 Years/Original editions)
Torque
350Nm @ 1500-4400rpm (370Nm on Performance/editions)
Drivetrain
FWD (with VAQ electronic front diff lock on Performance)
Economy
7.0-8.0 L/100km combined
Transmission
6MT, 6-speed DSG (DQ250 wet clutch)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (timing chain)
Pros
- Benchmark hot hatch - fast, composed, everyday-usable
- Uses the tougher 6-speed wet-clutch DQ250, not the DQ200
- Performance adds VAQ front diff and bigger brakes
- Strong tuning potential and aftermarket support
Cons
- EA888 timing-chain tensioner needs checking
- Turbo/water-pump and high-pressure fuel pump wear on harder-driven cars
- Premium fuel and tyre/brake costs
- Many have been tuned or tracked - check history
Known problems
high
EA888 timing-chain tensioner failure
A weak timing-chain tensioner can allow chain slap; a rattle on cold start is the classic warning and, if ignored, chain skip can damage valves.
Fix: Replace tensioner and chain with updated parts at the first sign of cold-start rattle.
medium
Turbo / water pump / HPFP wear
Early Mk7 turbos had documented failures (revised part numbers fixed it), and the electric water pump and high-pressure fuel pump are known wear items on harder-driven cars.
Fix: Replace failed turbo/water pump/HPFP with updated parts; verify boost and coolant behaviour on test drive.
medium
Carbon build-up and PCV / oil consumption
Direct injection allows intake-valve carbon, and the PCV/breather system can cause oil consumption if neglected.
Fix: Walnut-blast intake; PCV service; monitor oil. Avoid heavily modified examples without records.
2.0L TSI petrol - Golf R (206kW / 213kW) 4MOTION
Engine
2.0L turbocharged direct-injection I4 (EA888 Gen3), higher boost; Mk7 206kW, Mk7.5 213kW
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
1984cc
Power
206kW (Mk7) / 213kW (Mk7.5)
Torque
380Nm @ 1800-5500rpm
Drivetrain
4MOTION all-wheel drive (Haldex)
Economy
7.5-8.5 L/100km combined
Transmission
6MT, 7-speed DSG (DQ381 wet clutch)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven (timing chain)
Pros
- Seriously fast, all-weather AWD performance
- Mk7.5 uses the strong 7-speed wet-clutch DQ381 DSG (not the dry DQ200)
- Hugely capable yet usable daily
- Strong resale and enthusiast following
Cons
- EA888 chain tensioner, turbo and HPFP wear like the GTI
- Haldex AWD coupler needs fluid/filter servicing
- Often modified or tracked - history is critical
- Higher running, tyre and brake costs
Known problems
high
EA888 timing-chain tensioner failure
Same EA888 weak chain-tensioner risk as the GTI; cold-start rattle is the warning and chain skip can bend valves.
Fix: Replace tensioner and chain with updated parts at first sign of rattle.
medium
Haldex AWD coupler service neglect
The rear Haldex coupler needs periodic fluid (and filter) changes; neglect causes pump failure and loss of effective AWD.
Fix: Haldex fluid and filter service per interval; confirm it has been done.
medium
Turbo / HPFP / water pump and tuning damage
Turbo, high-pressure fuel pump and water pump are wear items, and aggressively tuned/tracked cars accelerate driveline and engine wear.
Fix: Replace failed ancillaries with updated parts; favour stock, fully documented examples.
Common problems (all variants)
medium
DSG software / power-interruption recalls
VW issued Australian recalls/service actions covering DSG power-interruption and related faults across DQ200-equipped Golfs. An un-actioned car can carry latent gearbox risk.
Fix: VIN-check outstanding recalls and confirm all DSG software/hardware updates were applied.
low
Electrical gremlins (infotainment, sensors, modules)
Mk7s can throw infotainment glitches, parking-sensor faults, ABS/airbag light and random module errors - typical modern-VW electrical niggles.
Fix: Diagnostic scan (VCDS); reseat/replace faulty modules or wiring; check for water ingress.
low
Sunroof drain blockage / leaks
On panoramic-sunroof cars, blocked drains cause water ingress into the cabin and headlining; some report creaking.
Fix: Clear sunroof drains; reseal as needed; check carpets for damp.
low
Coil packs and ignition misfires (TSI)
Direct-injection TSI engines can suffer coil-pack and spark-plug failures causing misfires and a check-engine light.
Fix: Replace coil packs and plugs as a set with updated parts.
low
Suspension bushes, control arms and front-end wear
Lower control-arm bushes, drop links and the like wear with age and rough roads, giving clunks and vague steering.
Fix: Replace worn bushes/arms/links; standard MQB front-end maintenance.