Volkswagen

Overall, Volkswagen vehicles score high in terms of vehicle reliability over time, which is largely the result of Volkswagen’s typically-German approach to the research, development and production of its engine mechanicals.

The end result of Volkswagen’s attention to detail, sourcing of high-quality components and rigorous quality control ensures that the vast majority of vehicles produced by Volkswagen are of high quality and offer reliability over time.

As it stands, Volkswagen sets its service intervals at twelve months or 15,000kms, whichever comes first. Considering the majority of its lineup features a turbocharged engine, this means that Volkswagen cars are not particularly high maintenance because, typically, a turbocharged engine requires more frequent maintenance to ensure the correct airflow and power outputs.

In terms of sheer numbers sold, the original Volkswagen Beetle remains one of the best-selling vehicles produced by VW, with a total of 23 million constructed over its 81-year production cycle.

In terms of the most common Volkswagen model you’ll find on the road today, however, that award goes to the VW Golf hatchback, of which 35 million in total have been produced since its introduction in 1974, followed by the VW Tiguan SUV which broke the 20-million unit mark back in 2020, and is in a production cycle that averages just under one million units per year around the globe.

The most common Volkswagen models on sale here in Australia include the Polo and Golf hatchbacks, which are competitively priced and offer a heap of entertainment and safety features. Top sellers in the VW lineup also include the Tiguan and Touareg medium and large SUV platforms, as well as the Arteon and Passat sedans, Transporter and Multivan vans, and of course, the Amarok dual-cab ute which has found a new home with Australian buyers.

As it stands here in Australia, Volkswagen packages its new vehicles with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty for vehicles sold on or after the 1st of January, 2019. This includes a one-year membership for Volkswagen roadside assistance, while the warranty as a whole is transferable to a new owner during the warranty period.

Certified used cars purchased from Volkswagen receive a one-year limited warranty, and remain protected by Australian Consumer Law’s statutory warranty for pre-owned vehicles.

In terms of servicing or repairing a Volkswagen vehicle outside the authorised VW dealership network, any work carried out by a licensed third party will not void the warranty term or coverage period, however, Volkswagen retains the right to request more information about the work carried out, and will not be liable for any faults caused by that third party repairer.

Volkswagen Car-Net is a connected service for VW vehicles that is included with the purchase of a new vehicle that equates to a five-year membership. Key features of the Volkswagen Car-Net service include an emergency call feature once the airbags are deployed, connection with a Volkswagen specialist, GPS tracking in the event of theft, as well as remote vehicle access, diagnostics and maintenance health reports and a set of parental controls.

Volkswagen’s Car-Net is not available for Australian drivers.