VW repair guides
Every guide here comes out of the yard, not a brochure. We have been stripping Volkswagens in Lenasia South since 2008, so we see the same faults over and over — the Mk4 coil packs, the Polo Vivo clutch, the DSG mechatronic, the Amarok V6 timing chain. These write-ups set out what usually goes wrong on each model, how to tell that fault apart from the ones it gets confused with, and which part you actually end up replacing.
They are written for owners deciding whether a repair is worth it, and for mechanics who want a second opinion before they order. Nothing here is a substitute for a proper diagnosis — but it should tell you what you are looking at and what to ask for. When you know the part you need, .
The Touareg is a genuinely tough SUV with a handful of expensive habits. Here is what actually goes wrong on Mk1 and Mk2 cars in South Africa, what it costs to put right, and which parts are worth buying used.
11 min read
The Transporter earns its living here, and the faults that matter are the ones that end engines. Here is what actually goes wrong on T4, T5 and T6 vans in South Africa, in owner language, and which parts are worth buying used.
12 min read
Both Amarok engines have expensive habits, and they are not the same habits. On the 2.0 TDI a shredded serpentine belt can destroy the engine. On the 3.0 V6 it is DPF and EGR cooler trouble. Here is what goes wrong on each, with real South African costs.
16 min read
A practical guide to the faults that affect the VW Tiguan in South African conditions — water-pump leaks, carbon buildup, DSG warnings, DPF blockages and sunroof leaks — with symptoms, causes and the parts you'll need.
9 min read
The Golf Mk4 ages into predictable faults — most of them sensor or electrical, not catastrophic. Here is what actually goes wrong, what it costs to fix in South Africa, and which repairs are free.
7 min read
The MK1 Golf's four signature faults — stiff gear selection, hot-start failure, erratic cooling and brake lights that stay on — diagnosed with local parts prices.
6 min read
The MK2's own fault list: carburettor air leaks, dead ignition, 5th gear lockout, K-Jetronic idle hunting and a clutch that won't disengage after a rebuild.
8 min read
The faults T-Cross owners report most — DQ200 dry-clutch DSG failures under 60,000 km, instrument cluster glitches, cam drive wear on the 1.0 TSI, turbo actuators and weak aircon — with costs and fixes.
9 min read
Twenty minutes at a quick lube, two hours in your own driveway the first time. Here is the honest time breakdown, plus what makes a VW take longer.
5 min read
The Golf 6 GTI's CCZ 2.0 TSI has one fault that can write off the engine and several that are merely expensive. Here is how to catch each one early, and what the repair costs in South Africa.
5 min read
Six Mk3 faults that catch owners out — a pedal that goes to the floor, a misfire that only shows between 2000 and 3000rpm, and the R138 relay that cures most no-starts.
6 min read
PCV valve failure, DSG jerkiness and boost leaks are the Mk5's signature faults. Here are the symptoms, the fault codes, and what each repair actually costs in South Africa.
4 min read
The faults VW Polo Vivo owners report most often on South African forums — EPC lights, hot-starting problems, third-gear crunch, jerking at low revs, aircon and brakes — with practical fixes.
7 min read
That burning smell is the friction lining cooking against the flywheel. Here is how to read the symptoms, limp home safely, and avoid a dual-mass flywheel bill.
4 min read
The battery light almost never means the battery. Here is what it actually tells you about your charging system, and what happens if you keep driving.
5 min read
