Volkswagen Golf Mk5

The fifth incarnation of the Golf went on sale in February 2004. There was a choice of 1.4, 1.6 or 2.0-litre petrol engines, and 1.9 or 2.0 TDI diesels, along with a normally aspirated 2.0 SDI unit. The GTI didn’t arrive until January 2005, followed by the 247bhp R32 within the year.
In June 2005 the taller Golf Plus appeared, and in the same month in 2006 the 138bhp 1.4 TSI replaced the 2.0 GT. A year later, the estate was launched, alongside a 170bhp 1.4 TSI.
What to look forALL MkVs had a variable service indicator, but only buyers who opted for it had it activated. You can get it switched on no matter how old the car is – vital if you do high miles, as it can allow you to go twice as far between checks.
A squeaky clutch on 1.9 TDI points to weak release bearings. Also, high oil levels on TDI PDs could mean diesel has got into the injectors, ruining the engine.