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VW Golf TDI in UK Crosses 450,000 Miles in 10 Years

Besides a minor accident and failed alternator, the car has been trouble-free

A man in the UK has driven his VolkswagenVolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
9654 photos
31 videos
Mk.IV Golf S TDIVolkswagen Golf 1.9 TDiGermany, 1997 > present4 photos
over 450,000 miles in 10 years.

Roy Dyson bought his Golf TDI in 2002 when he moved in Devon, England. He and his wife wanted a vehicle with good fuel economy to make long drives to visit family. Dyson bought the used 2001 Golf TDI with 6,021 miles on it.

The retired couple frequently visited family in Lancashire, England, and had covered 100,000 miles in the car by July 2004. By June, 2007, Dyson had put over 250,000 miles on the hatchback. Dyson had no mechanical troubles with the car beyond an alternator failure shortly after the car crossed 300,000 miles. He was in one minor accident in it when, during a snowstorm, he slid off the road and damaged the passenger door.

Now the car has passed 450,000 miles and is still going. The engine is entirely original, and the cylinder head has never been removed. Dyson still averages 54mpg. Other than wear items like brakes, tires, timing belts, etc nothing has needed replaced except for the alternator. Dyson expects the car to hit 500,000 miles next summer.

Dyson is going to have to drive quite a while to beat the Guiness World Record holding Volvo P1800Volvo P1800Sweden, 1960 > present3 photos
owned by Irv Gordon in New York. In 45 years Gordon has put over 2.9 million miles on his VolvoVolvoSweden, 1927 > present49 models
4535 photos
6 videos
.

Other examples of incredibly high mileage cars include a Mercedes-Benz 240DMercedes-Benz 240 DGermany, 1975 > present1 photo
1 video
in Greece with 2.86 million miles that is now in the MercedesMercedes-BenzGermany, 1924 > present197 models
9852 photos
33 videos
Museum, and a Volkswagen BeetleVolkswagen BeetleGermany, 1938 > 200339 versions
102 photos
3 videos
in California with 1.4 million miles.

The VW Golf Generations

The compact Golf was launched by Volkswagen in 1974 and has been ever since the most successful model of the German brand, even overcoming the mythic Beetle. It has been the top selling VW model, with over 21 million build and sold, having saved the company by the time Beetle’s sales were falling dramatically.

Golf Mk1, 1974-84

The first generation of the Golf was launched in 1974, starting a new sort of vehicles for Volkswagen: the front wheel drive with front-mounted water-cooled engine cars. Petrol engines ranged between the 1.1L and the 1.8L, with power outputs from 49 to 110hp. As for the diesel engine, there were 1.5L and 1.6L options, with power outputs between 48 and 69hp.

Golf Mk2, 1983-92

The second generation of the Golf would be launched in August 1983, as a slightly bigger and somewhat rounded version. Both interior and exterior dimensions, as well as the weight and the wheelbase length, were a little bit higher. The most basic engine for this generation of the Golf was the 1.3L, while the most powerful one was a 2.0L, both petrol engines. The diesel engine range included only the 1.6L choice, which could either be naturally aspired or turbocharged.

Golf Mk3, 1991-99

In 1991, the third-generation Golf was released. The Mk3 Golf would win 1992’s Car of the Year election. Petrol engines ranged between the 1.4L and the 2.9L, with output respectively from 54 to 188 hp.
There was only the 1.9L diesel engine available, but its variants ranged amongst the D, SDI and TDI; diesel engines produced from 63 to 109 hp.

Golf Mk4, 1997-2003

For the Golf’s fourth generation, Volkswagen provided some extra innovation in high-performance engines, especially for the 2002’s R32 version with its 3.2L VR6 engine. The Mk4’s range also included a 1.8L turbocharged gas engine, as well as the 12-valve 2.8L VR6.

Golf Mk5, 2003-2009

By the year 2005, Volkswagen’s top selling model reached the 24 million built and sold. It has been officially declared the world’s third most sold car. Engines for the Golf Mk5 now include direct-injection FSIs and TDIs. Petrol engines range from a 1.4L – turbocharged and supercharged – to the GTI’s 2.0L and the R32’s 3.2L. The diesel engines were a 1.9L TDI and a 2.0L TDI or SDI.

Golf Mk6, 2008-2012

By the launch of the sixth generation in 2008, a total of about 26 million units of the model had been sold since its introduction. The engine range at launch included 59 kW / 80 PS to 125 kW / 170 PS power units. The petrol engines, starting at 90 kW, were all charged TSI engines while the diesels were new common rail TDI engines.

Golf Mk7, 2012

The new Golf debuted in 2012. The seventh generation Golf is 56mm longer overall and has a 59mm wider track, but it is 100kg lighter than the outgoing model and gets 23% fuel economy. The wheelbase is 43mm longer. The cleanest BlueMotion model uses 3.2l/100km of fuel and emits 85g/km of CO2. The new car has received an environmental certificate from TÜV Nord. Compared to the previous model it uses resources 12% more efficiently.