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

Four affordable used Japanese performance car icons
Used Japanese cars
News

Four affordable used Japanese performance car icons

Japanese icons don’t have to be expensive. These five-star stunners can be yours for under £40k
5 Dec 2025
The Toyota GR GT is Japan's answer to the Aston Martin Vantage
Toyota GR GT SJ
News

The Toyota GR GT is Japan's answer to the Aston Martin Vantage

Toyota has revealed its highly anticipated flagship V8 super GT, and we’ve spoken to the team behind its creation in Japan
8 Dec 2025
Hydrogen could be the future of supercars, and Bosch has built a Maserati-engined prototype to prove it
Bosch JS2 RH2 hydrogen race car – front
News

Hydrogen could be the future of supercars, and Bosch has built a Maserati-engined prototype to prove it

Bosch targets Le Mans with hydrogen-fuelled Maserati-engined race car
8 Dec 2025