It can't be more than 7 yrs old. Why do you want to drain it? Coolant in our old Focus is 19yrs old. Can't think of a good reason to change it. Can think of a good reason not to; the introduction of a fresh supply of corrosive oxygen.

Coolant types and compatabilities are complicated, but the standard cheapo green stuff usually has a 2 year recommended life span.

I don't pay much attention to recommended oil change intervals (last fill was 6 years) because I have reasonable faith in oil, but I don't have any faith in cheapo Chiwanese coolant, so I change it pretty often.

My problem is not with the drain but the refill bit, which tends to leave air in the system on my car.

IIRC I've read this is also a particular problem with the Golf.

My solution was to boil the coolant by disabling the fan, but I believe you can buy a gadget that applies a vacuum during refill.

Can't think of a good reason to change it. Can think of a good reason not to; the introduction of a fresh supply of corrosive oxygen.

... provided you make up the coolant with deionised and deaerated water of course.

Seem to remember our old Golf did not have a drain tap, the drain it you had to remove the bottom hose.

Seem to remember our old Golf did not have a drain tap, the drain it you had to remove the bottom hose.

... and sometimes you have to cut a hose off and get a new one ....

Usually on VAG cars the bottom hose is attached to a plastic "part" that is water sealed into the radiator via an O ring and a hose retaining clip (sort of U shaped). Pull out the clip to release. Always replace the O ring and possibly the clip as they can rust.