Skip advert
Advertisement
Long term tests

VW Golf GTI

A windscreen crack necessitated a replacement

The Golf’s driver’s door was struggling a little with the whole concept of closing, and the windscreen had come out in sympathy with a large crack, so I put in a call to the previously helpful Autohaus of Northampton to explain my woes. ‘Not a problem,’ they said. ‘Jolly good,’ I said. We were getting along swimmingly.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The great day arrived. I removed my bike and golf clubs (you can fit a lot into a Golf) and dropped the GTI off. Later that afternoon they phoned me. I missed their call. I then spent the next few hours trying to raise a member of the service department. I listened to most of a compilation tape whilst on hold, but could get no word on the GTI. Poor show.

At the service desk the next day I was informed that they had repaired the faulty door catch under warranty. Good. They then told me that they had ‘located’ the crack on the windscreen. Would I like a replacement? No, I merely wanted you to engage in a game of ‘hunt the glaringly obvious flaw’ and then leave me with a damaged screen.

Autoglass are outside as I write.

Running Costs

Date acquiredSeptember 2005
Total mileage18,905
Costs this month£468 (windscreen)
Mileage this month1357
MPG this month30.8mpg
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

‘There are still a few used car bargains. I almost dare not speak their names’
Audi R8
Opinion

‘There are still a few used car bargains. I almost dare not speak their names’

Jethro confesses an addiction, but one that you almost certainly share
24 Jan 2025
Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid 2025 review – the best 992 Carrera yet
Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid – front
Reviews

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid 2025 review – the best 992 Carrera yet

A new hybrid engine and chassis upgrades have injected personality and huge capability into the 992 – it’s our favourite 911 this side of a GT3
24 Jan 2025
Porsche 989 – dead on arrival
Porsche 989
Features

Porsche 989 – dead on arrival

Porsche’s first saloon might have predated the Panamera by a decade and a half, had the sums added up
22 Jan 2025