Things to look for when buying a MK4?

[richw911]

Well as the link above states tht the 1.4 and 1.6 gearbox isnt the best i have had my 1.4 for the past year n half now at 72k and havent had a problem as yet. It prob does come down to the luck of the pick at the end of the day buying a used car.

Have to disagree.

Our polo had a new gearbox when we got it and a friend of mine had a Seat Ibiza 1.4 had his gearbox go, someone else i know had a Seat Cordoba 1.6 same problem.

Even the place that supplied the gearbox to my friend said they all had weak rivets and it was a design fault on all gearboxes between certain years 

[j_bailey]

Thanks for your replies again. Just searching around reviews and articles, come across a few things saying VW do/did a Gearbox repair kit for the 1.4/1.6 costing around £50, that changed the rivets to bolts. Does anyone know if this is still about? And would this fix the problem? Are the rivet problems definitely just between 1998-2001 models?

I've wanted a Mk4 for years, driven them a few times and just loved the basic style and feel. Don't want to wait years until i can get a 1.8t. Thanks for your help.

[Wayne]

Thanks for your replies again. Just searching around reviews and articles, come across a few things saying VW do/did a Gearbox repair kit for the 1.4/1.6 costing around £50, that changed the rivets to bolts. Does anyone know if this is still about? And would this fix the problem? Are the rivet problems definitely just between 1998-2001 models?

Yes the diff rivets are a known failure the problem is the whole gearbox needs stripping to down to fit them, so not cheap or easy to sort.

I've wanted a Mk4 for years, driven them a few times and just loved the basic style and feel. Don't want to wait years until i can get a 1.8t. Thanks for your help.

In that case why not look at a 1.8 non turbo.

[CraigDavieBeattie]

so Rich and Wayne... is it just the early - 2001 models of the 1.4 and 1.6 that were more likely to occur gearbox failure? mines an 03 plate, seems ok so far, never had a problem. Did they change the setup or something?

[Wayne]

so Rich and Wayne... is it just the early - 2001 models of the 1.4 and 1.6 that were more likely to occur gearbox failure? mines an 03 plate, seems ok so far, never had a problem. Did they change the setup or something?

I believe the later ones were a different design.

[CraigDavieBeattie]

I hope so lol, no bad signs as yet.

[bullzeye]

First of all . id make sure the engine is not stolen!!! as i was ripped off 2k with this problem last week buying a 1.6, turns out it had a 2.0 stolen engine in it

easyly missed if you dont know what your lookin at, and then by time u realise, and contact seller you get the "sold as seen" bullsh!t lol

[CraigDavieBeattie]

Cant u get him done for stolen goods? wud it come under as that? take it u have contacted ur local police.

[j_bailey]

Just tried contacting my local vw dealership and they said they cant even tell me if they can changes rivets on the MK4 without a chassis number, wasn't asking about any specfic MK4 but just the DUU gearbox in general so no help therefore cant get a quote for doing this yet.

[richw911]

so Rich and Wayne... is it just the early - 2001 models of the 1.4 and 1.6 that were more likely to occur gearbox failure? mines an 03 plate, seems ok so far, never had a problem. Did they change the setup or something?

2003 is is fine