2013 Mk7 Golf GTi Reliability

[P6GTD]

My current 7.5P is the most reliable car I have ever run, bar none.
30,000 miles, coming up 4 years in March and faultless. Tempting fate I know.
Treated like a baby when new and still carefully warmed up before driving hard.

[VWRed]

I bought my 2013 Mk7 GTi PP privately back in April 2021 with 48k miles on the clock, 3 previous owners and 'good' service history. As one does, I did my homework and fully checked it over before doing the deal. I wasn't particularly looking for a VW, was contemplating a Seat Cupra or the like, had a budget of 13k. Having owned hot hatches in the past, I was coming from a 1.2 Honda Jazz (wife car) and just wanted something to have a little fun in, as well as being slightly practical. The reviews I'd read all pointed towards the MK7 GTi PP being one of the best GTi's to date, with dare I say, a good reliability record.

Anyhow, the car's been a joy to drive, but as others have mentioned has had a few niggles which have become apparent over the months. The first thing was it having an annoying 'drone' around 55-70mph, albeit hardly noticeable but once heard, unable to un-hear. Turned out to be tyres which although still with a few mm remaining, I changed for 4 new Goodyear Eagle F1's which were on a Costco deal (£395 supply and fit). Next were rear discs and pads, followed a few months later with front discs and pads. Next, 3 months ago, following an annoying 'knocking' sound when driving over certain road surfaces new front shocks, lower arm bushes and drop links which cured the issue.

These expenses, along with an alloy wheel refurb have totalled around 2k. With the quote I've had for a water pump/thermostat housing due to a very slow loss of coolant over 12 months (£710incVAT), this will take the expenses since purchase to around 3k. With all this work completed, the car is running a dream, but, I've got this niggle that a clutch, exhaust or even maybe a turbo could be heading my way down the line. Turbo aside, I guess much of what I've mentioned could be labelled as 'consumables' (discs, pads, shocks, clutch, exhaust, tyres, etc) and are offset by the lower purchase price I paid back in 2021.

Loving the car as I say, but costs can add up. With the MK7 now becoming 'middle aged' and mostly out of warranty, it would be great to have a database of costs for repairs (such as water pump/thermostat, turbo, etc) and 'consumables' (such as discs, pads, clutch, exhaust, etc). Does one exist or does anyone think it's worth starting a thread??

[Rob_benton]

I personally sell over 300 various used cars a year. Trust me, the mk7 is no worse than most cars this side of an Honda Jazz!  And I’d happily sell and run mk7’s!

Another benefit we have is that there are loads on specialists and knowledge out there on the mk7’s, so when things go wrong, they are easily sorted.
I’ve had an electrical issue with a Ford KA that not even an auto electrician or Googling the forums could sort.

[Finglonga]

I have had my GTI PP from new in 2014 and done 110,000 miles. As I am an ex Mechanic I know how to treat cars, it is always serviced properly and warmed up, even then I do not thrash or abuse it.

However it is on it's third water pump, has a new Gearbox as it had a fault from Day1, new Cam Sensor covers as there were weeping and recently a new Turbo as the waste-gate has seized on the spline (another design fault). Only time it left me stranded was when the gearbox ate itself.

[Carbon VW]

I have had my GTI since new in 2013 and it has covered 130,000miles and has been brilliant. I have had a new inlet manifold and new thermostat housing. A stuck front caliper last week and other than that it’s been oil and filters and brake pads and discs. Its treated like a baby but driven spiritedly !!

[VWRed]

Good to know there are a few other 2013 Mk7 GTi's out there that are still going strong. Was looking at my documentation and see the date of production on my car was 17/06/2013, so guessing one of the first off the production line! There's always a temptation to trade in for a newer model but guessing unless it's within warranty ie, less than 3 years old, you could be buying a car that's due for all the items I've already done on my 2013 model!

[Ginagee]

Had my Reflex Silver MK7 GTi from new Jan 14 - now approaching 60K miles. Performance pack, panoramic roof and Dynaudio. Touch wood - it has been exceptionally reliable. The water pump went around 35K miles - and the rear shocks went very recently (bad potholed roads in West Yorkshire!!!).

I still love it. I do get tempted by newer cars. Other than servicing, fuel, vehicle tax and insurance etc... why spend a fortune on something newer when my GTi does a great job and it's soooooo good to drive? Nothing else would be worth the expense over what I have. It does everything I need from a car. And I still turn round to admire it after parking!!

[GolfTi]

July 13 - one of the first in the U.K.

93K

New water pump/housing (under warranty).
New brakes all round.
1 new set of Contis and 1 new set of PS4s (fronts due soon). Ran Winters for 5 yrs but no longer.
8 sets of Bosch aero twins.
1 new OEM battery at 6 years.
New sun glasses holder.
New light/rain sensor. (under warranty)
Original Austins two tone powder coated a couple of years ago. (No issues since).
New gear lever because I scratched mine quite badly.

Suspension checked today - all good. (Greased bushes again, seems to last a couple of years then gets squeaky again)
Still under extended warranty (probably up to 100k then VW won't renew it).
Still love it and will keep it as long as I can - perfect car for me. Not a mk 8 fan after having a few courtesy cars...

[Adam T7]

That’s great, especially for an early, before the bugs get ironed out, model.
I had a brand new very early 3 Series back in early 1999 - many issues resolved on later models.

[Harry Goldenblatt]

Discussing the reliability of the Mk7 Golf GTi with a friend yesterday, he was totally convinced that it was one of the most unreliable sporty hatches out there. Owning a 2013 Mk7 GTi PP which I bought on sca.auction back in 2020, I argued the opposite, albeit I am having to get the water pump/thermostat replaced imminently. Anyhow, this got me thinking, how reliable is the Mk7 in comparison to other comparable cars? With my Mk7 being a 2013 model with 60k on the clock, should I be concerned that the turbo's about to blow, the clutch to slip and the suspension about to go ping  ??   

Fortunately, the answer is a resounding "no". The Mk7 Golf GTi is one of the most reliable sporty hatches out there. In fact, Consumer Reports gave it a perfect score for reliability, based on hundreds of reviews from owners. The Mk7 has received praise for its reliability, performance, and value for money. Other drivers have mentioned that the Golf doesn't have any major issues, despite its sporty nature. So, while it's understandable that you may have to get the water pump/thermostat replaced, you shouldn't expect any other major issues for the foreseeable future.