Faults:

Rear passenger door deadlocked itself and refused to unlock (still an ongoing issue).

Traction control light comes on if you go above 70mph. Have been advised it's an air flow sensor fault on the engine, as all the systems are interlinked (still an ongoing issue).

Various rattles and squeaks from the dashboard when driving around town.

Heater direction controls work on their own terms; when you want it on the windscreen to clear it, it will direct it at your feet.

General Comments:

Good driving position, although could do with some lumbar support.

Starts first time, every time.

More than enough space for 5 people for short trips, and 4 on longer trips. Plenty of boot space.

Comfortable ride, but a bit wallowy if you decide to press on a bit. The heavy engine up front doesn't help matters.

Good economy; 48-52 on motorways, 37 in town. It's only costing £280 in fuel a month, and that's doing 300 miles a week.

Not been exactly impressed with the performance of it. Although it is the 130bhp diesel, it has no power below 2000 rpm, which is very frustrating around town. At higher speeds it whistles along nicely, but it doesn't feel as torquey as it should for a diesel.

The 6 speed gear box is a gimmick only; the car would be so much more tractable with the standard 5 speed of lesser models.

Although it's a good car and it's saved me a fair bit in money, the few little electrical faults have put me off the car. Don't believe the hype about VWs being completely reliable; they have faults like every other car.

Faults:

Front driveshaft gaiter and rear exhaust bracket at 7 years / 110,000 miles.

MAF sensor at 8 years / 120,000 miles.

Clutch and dual mass flywheel last week (132,000 miles).

General Comments:

Gutsy, reliable, frugal old car that still looks good, and still drives well.

Almost impossible to get less than 45 mpg out of it. Perfectly possible to squeeze 60 mpg on a gentle run. Averages 50 mpg with no problem at all.

Faster and more economical than our E90 BMW 318d, although dynamically it's not even in the same league. The PD130 engine is a great match for the Golf though. Effortless grunt, regardless of gear. Runs out of steam early compared to modern diesels, but the lower-midrange muscle is still impressive to this day.

Plenty of kit - all round electric windows, electric heated mirrors, electric sunroof, Climatronic, CD player, etc etc. Driving position is a little "high", but good seats and overall comfort levels.

Good looking interior, which although a little dated, still has good quality materials, and a very clean design.

Serviced and maintained for buttons by a family friend who is a VW tech. Even the clutch and flywheel set me back less than £400 fitted (Sachs parts used). That's the biggest bill the car has given me by a significant margin.

Still worth a couple of grand, and would be easy to sell on. Can't say that about many near ten year old mass market hatchbacks. Very cheap car to own in TCO terms.