I want to buy a Volkswagen Golf V but am worried about the ESP fault - how do I know if it's been fixed? | Ask Honest John

What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

I want to buy a Volkswagen Golf V but am worried about the ESP fault - how do I know if it's been fixed?

I'm going to take a look at a 56-reg MkV Volkswagen Golf TDI at a local independent dealer at the weekend. I've had quick browse on here and found a lot of people talking about the ESP fault that seems to be affecting a large number of MkV Golfs. If the car has had this problem, will it be easy to see if the new part has been fitted and the fault rectified? What percentage of Golfs has this actually affected? Will they all go wrong at some point? If there is no sign that the car has had this unit replaced, would I be able to use it as a bargaining tool when making an offer? Should I not touch this car with a barge pole?

Asked on 9 September 2010 by smoggyrich1

Answered by Honest John

ECU testing does a fix that costs £300 fitted. Don't get conned into paying a dealer £1500 - £2000 for a new ABS/ESP module. I've heard of around 200 cases. I'd estimate it affects at least 10 per cent of Golfs and probably more.

Tags: known defect esp

Similar questions

Is the known Volkswagen Teves/ESP fault down to the whole unit or just a sensor?

My wife has a 2005 Volkswagen Golf 2.0FSI GT with 51,000 on the clock. The light in the ESP switch, and the dashboard steering wheel and ABS signs, have all come on together, intermittently, over the last...

Why was Volkswagen reluctant to repair an ESP system fault on my Jetta?

I purchased a Volkswagen Jetta from Car Giant, White City for £9,639 in March 2008. It had had one owner (Avis) and a very low mileage. Car Giant gave it a clean bill of health. I subsequently had it checked...

Why is Volkswagen burying its head over the ATE Teves module fault, and is my 2008 Golf likely to suffer failure?

Earlier this year you ran a reply about the numerous failures of the ATE Teves Mk 60 ABS/ESP module. As I own a 2008 Volkswagen Golf Plus I was quite concerned that I could suffer one of the failures you...

Related models

Volkswagen Golf (2004 - 2008)

Decent handling and comfortable on the move, impressive TSI engines, massive improvement over the previous Golf, high-economy Bluemotion models, high quality feel of interior, five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.