Used car dealer warns popular second-hand vehicle 'can cost a fortune to fix' despite low cost

The renowned car expert Scotty Kilmer has warned motorists against purchasing a particular used hatchback , despite its popularity and strong sales record.

Scotty, with decades of experience as a motor mechanic since the 1960s, is a familiar face on YouTube where he dispenses valuable tips to help car owners save cash and steer clear of costly mechanical repairs.

In one of his latest videos, Scotty reviews a fifth-generation Volkswagen Golf and points out that it doesn't match up to the build quality of some of its rivals.

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He said: "If you've watched me for any great length of time, you'd have noticed that I'm not a big fan of Volkswagen, and here's why."

"The quality isn't job number one with Volkswagen. They're full of all kinds of plastic that breaks all the time and can cost a fortune to fix."

Available in the UK from 2003 to 2009, the fifth-gen Volkswagen Golf was sold as a three or five-door hatchback and also as an estate, offering a broad selection of trim levels and engine options.

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While many owners have commended the engines' reliability and the generous space within the model range, Scotty has indicated that the interior's fit and finish might not age well.

Consequently, he advises avoiding high-mileage versions which could exhibit worn interiors and potentially brittle plastic parts.

Scotty later issued a warning on his video about troublesome automatic gearboxes fitted in Volkswagens of the period, specifically for those located in the United States where he is based.

He further explained: "Plus, their automatic transmissions stink, they break a lot and they cost a fortune to fix. That's why this one is a standard [manual], so we don't have to worry about that. But 96 percent of Americans drive [vehicles with] automatic transmission, so all of those people, theirs wouldn't last so well."

However, numerous Volkswagen owners contested Scotty's claims, sharing their personal experiences in the comments section under the clip.

One user disputed Scotty's claim by writing: "My 2013 [Golf] GTI is still running strong with almost 150,000 miles on it. And everything is holding together very well. [It's] been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned."

Another spectator was also puzzled by Scotty's claim and countered: "Americans must get different VWs than us Europeans because build quality is never really a problem with VWs over here. Plus they're great cars."