New member looking at a mk8

[Lancslad1985]

Hi everyone,

Just joined the board, I’ve had several golfs in the past and lots of VWs but never a golf gti. The opportunity to get a 24 plate mk8 with low mileage has come up, I just wondered if there are any issues with the mk8 now? I know when it was first released there were quite a few, but were these rectified over time? Any other issues I should be aware of?

Appreciate any advice.

[valentino]

Hi, i had an early Mk8, and had lots of issues which were later found out to be related to the steering wheel.  Eventually got that changed, and it was fine after that. After its 3 year warranty was up, which was mid 2024, part exchanged for a late mk8 on a 24 plate. Done 4000 miles so far with no issues.
You should be fine, especially if you have a warranty on the car, and if its one of the later ones.

[WelshGolf]

Had a Mk8 for 2 years and had zero issues with it. Mine was a 22 plate so missed out of the issues the early cars had

[Lancslad1985]

Thanks for your input both, really appreciate it.

[Exonian]

Welcome Lancslad 

I’m currently running a December 2023 Golf which has been (touch wood) completely trouble free so far at 9000 miles. It’s my second mk8, preceded by a December 2020 Golf which was fairly trouble free until its second service when it had a software update which triggered all sorts of warning messages going off non stop. This was cured by a new steering wheel as a warranty claim and was fine for the rest of its time with me.
The later cars don’t seem to suffer that affliction.

[Lancslad1985]

Thanks Exonian, appreciate the input. Had a few polo gtis and a golf gtd in the past but finally at a point I can consider (afford) a golf gti so came here as it seems a friendly forum.

[DrivenToDistraction]

Welcome to the forum 
Are you looking at a specific car yet? There are plenty of low mileage Mk8 GTIs on Autotrader but dealers are typically asking around £33.5K for very low mileage examples with upgraded wheels. For about the same money you could get a standard low mileage (typically ex-demo) 8.5. There are only a few 8.5's currently listed but if you are not too bothered about colour choice or upgraded 19 inch wheels, I would suggest looking at an 8.5. From the outside, the 8 and the 8.5 look nearly identical but the 8.5 has some significant upgrades under the bonnet and especially in the cockpit. Good hunting!

[Lancslad1985]

Thanks DTD. There’s a 24 plate pure white mk8 at £29k at my local dealer. I’d love an 8.5, my wife’s got an 8.5 match that I’m jealous of as I’d moved away from VW but I miss my golfs, but the 8.5 is significantly more at the moment. £29k seems a bargain for a car less than a year old with such low mileage but I’ll keep my eye out for ex demos, thanks for the advice!

[Aidey]

Same story here, I had A Mk8 R one of the first, during covid and had nothing but issues, it went back... I have a Clubby now late build and i have no issues, apart from when its really cold you do get the odd alert saying it cant do this and that

[Exonian]

Thanks Exonian, appreciate the input. Had a few polo gtis and a golf gtd in the past but finally at a point I can consider (afford) a golf gti so came here as it seems a friendly forum.

Well, you’ve had the warm up act cars so now time for the real thing!
£29k sounds excellent value for what you get and the nearest 8.5 prices look to be about £4 - 5k more having just had a quick sweep of the classifieds.
If it’s lightly optioned and under the VW Used system you’ll probably get two years breakdown (£240?) thrown in, plus possibly a service pack and no £600 tax bill to cough up right before Xmas! 😱😁