Volkswagen Problems

Volkswagen spokesman Karl Gehling says: "For a Mark VII Golf GTI without a full load it is 250kPa or 36psi front and rear." This information is also in the owner's manual and on the tyre plaque in the glovebox.

That Tiguan is getting old and a customer complaint is not unusual for Volkswagen. If he wants the best car then, it's the CX-5 but the Hyundai ix35 and Kia Sportage also get The Tick and are the value champions.

VW’s reputation was hit for six in the wake of the problems with its DSG gearbox, but that affected later models than the one you were wanting to know about. The earlier models were generally sound and reliable and I would have more confidence in them than I would in some of the later ones. When looking to service the Golf I would recommend you find an independent specialist with experience in VWs and use them instead of a dealer. That way it won’t be expensive to maintain.

Softer brake materials are coming to all cars, which is why Bendix developed its Euro+ pads. You're right about driving style having a huge influence on brake wear.

The primary function of reversing lights is to warn the car behind not to floodlight the space behind your car for reversing.

We aren't being flooded with complaints about the DSG gearbox the way we were a couple of years ago, which suggests the company has addressed the issues that were causing owners such concern. If you like the DSG I would go with it.

You're right that the Subaru has the best CVT but it's still not remotely as good as a DSG in a VW Group product. As for more time with CVTs, I've driven them all for more than a week and they are as appealing as brussels sprouts.

None of the above. It's the Volkswagen Polo, which recently had a significant price cut, that gets The Tick from me.

It's too early for a reliability read on classy utes such as the Ford Ranger/Mazda BT50 and VW Amarok, which with their lusty turbo diesels are great for heavy work.