even with the vac hose off on my driver the mpg gauge still worked, it was wrong but it still worked

if you take the clocks out you'll see the speedo sensor, its screwed to the back of the speedo next to the cable. It has like 2 clips on the side which hold it shut on the electrical connection to the clocks. Sounds more complicated than it is, if you have a set o clocks in front of you you'll see what i mean!
It may have had a non-GTI speedo fitted and the speedo sensor wasnt bolted back on, the non-gti speedo has a blanking plate fitted where the sensor needs to go, you lever the plate out and screw the sensor on
