VW Golf Mk6 1.4 tsi - Buying a used Mk6 GOLF 1.4 TSI with new Timing Chain

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Sat 11 Aug 2018 01:58
VW Golf Mk6 1.4 tsi - Buying a used Mk6 GOLF 1.4 TSI with new Timing Chain - 096

Hello everyone.

I have some important queries answered regarding a car I am looking to buy. I currently own a 9N3 Polo E and I'm looking to upgrade to a MK6 SE 1.4 TSI 122.

So the car in question is a 2009 MK6 Golf 86K in Huddersfield for just over £4.5k - Full service history and receipts but no MOT as of yet


Sounds good? But there is a catch! The car has had a new clutch (@85K) and timing chain (@84K) I understand the TSI's have dodgy timing chains but this has had the work fully and professionally done. Along with the clutch at the same mechanic who is a few doors down from the dealer who's selling the motor.

As you can tell I don't know much about this, but what is the general consensus here? Am I getting a well sorted car or one that someone is itching to get rid of because its been unloved. Would that affect me or can these Golfs keep going after a rebuild?

Plus replaced timing chain = Rebuilt Engine. So would this affect fuel economy? How can I tell if the rebuild has been done proper?

Look forward to hearing the replies - Cheers.

Edited by 096 on 11/08/2018 at 01:59

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 11 Aug 2018 07:31
VW Golf Mk6 1.4 tsi - Buying a used Mk6 GOLF 1.4 TSI with new Timing Chain - SLO76
Don’t touch it. It’s a car with a poor reputation and it’s had a new chain, and likely damage done if the old one failed. Someone has disposed of this as a non-viable write off due to engine failure and the garage has repaired it as cheaply as they can to turn a profit.

On this money forget anything complex and trouble prone like this and focus instead on simple normally aspirated petrol models with solid reputations such as the Mazda 3, Toyota Auris, Kia Cee’d, Ford Focus 1.6, Astra and Honda Civic. The Mk V and VI Golf’s are bad for a number of other issues beyond chain failure and aren’t a good bet at this money.

Edited by SLO76 on 11/08/2018 at 07:32

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 11 Aug 2018 12:13
VW Golf Mk6 1.4 tsi - Buying a used Mk6 GOLF 1.4 TSI with new Timing Chain - Avant

We don't thank you often enough, SLO, for continuing to give us the benefit of your professional experience.

Many people will have learnt from you that on a limited budget the best way to go is Japanese or Korean and petrol-powered (because there's a much better chance of getting a good one) or Ford (because there are lots around to choose from). Wth Fords you have to be careful with the choice of engine: correct me if I'm wrong but the 3-cylinder 1.0 petrols are dodgy, and is it all or only some of the 1.6 diesels?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 11 Aug 2018 22:09
VW Golf Mk6 1.4 tsi - Buying a used Mk6 GOLF 1.4 TSI with new Timing Chain - Big John

Also with this money - don't buy a diesel. It'd be at the age when someone is dumping a problem , eg DPF, turbo etc..

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....