∙Just three owners
∙Amazing, unmodified condition
∙A mere 45,995 miles on the clock

There are few cars with as much heritage and as much appeal as the legendary Volkswagen Golf GTi. It was, after all, the car that truly popularised the concept of the hot hatch. A car that was built in secret by a skunkworks team of engineers who were adamant that a sporty, powerful version of Volkswagen’s popular hatch would be a hit. And they were right. The first model, launched in 1975, was the start of an automotive lineage that is still going today. Impressive.  

The car we have here is the Mk3 2.0 8v version, in five-door guise. The Mk3 was once overlooked in favour of its predecessors. However, it’s now enjoying a surge in popularity. The ‘90s and ‘00s were hard on the Mk3, with many being modified into oblivion. Few survived unscathed, which is what makes this stock example so special. With the exception of the stereo head unit, this Golf GTi is every bit the car its designers had planned it to be. No modification, no silly wheels, no body kit. Just a beautiful, fast-appreciating hot hatch. 

First registered on 11th of April, 1997, this Mk3 Golf GTi was with its first owner until October of 1999 before being sold to a father and son who would go on to own it until 2014, when the current owner acquired it. The majority of the Golf’s meagre mileage was covered by 2006, at which point it had only covered 36,000. Since then, occasional use has brought that up to 46,000. That’s 10,000 miles in fifteen years, or 667 miles per year on average! 

Over the years, the Golf has largely lived inside and as such, is exceptionally good structural condition. Frustratingly for Volkswagen, rust was an issue for the Mk3, so it’s refreshing to see one so very solid and free of any past repairs. Certainly, looking through the MOT history reveals no mention of anything of concern. There was some light misting on the old shocks in 2007. There was a blown bulb in 2011, an exhaust blow in 2014 and nail in a tyre at the same time. That’s it. The only advisories that this car has ever had. It is very impressive indeed. 

The current owner, a collector of modern classics, had to pounce on this in 2014. It had and continues to be fastidiously maintained, it’s 98% original and it’s in truly exceptional condition. However, now looking to thin out his collection, it’s time to let someone else enjoy this very rare example of a hot hatch legend.

The Golf comes with a pleasing amount of paperwork. There is an original book back and owner’s manual in the correct Volkswagen wallet. There is also a service book which is stamped up to 2017 when the car went in for a timing belt and water pump as well as a general service. 

There is also an invoice to show this, as well as other invoices for past MOTs and other maintenance works. 

There is also a copy of the original bill of sale from 1997, showing that a Citroen ZX Aura was given in part exchange! Irrelevant now, granted, but it’s nice to have that bit of history on paper. And on the note of history, the original number plates are in the boot, though they are slightly aged as to be expected. 

The car has been MOTd and as such, has a full test (with no advisories) that runs until March 2022. The logbook is also present, as is additional paperwork relating to the immobiliser system fitted to the car. 

The Mk3’s interior was always a hard-wearing one. Having done so few miles, the interior of this Mk3 in particular is in excellent order throughout. The cloth trim is all in excellent order, with no rips, scuffs or the faintest whiff of excessive wear. Everything trim-wise is as it should be. 

The floors are good, with no holes in the carpets. The car also also comes with a set of Volkswagen rubber mats (removed for the pictures to show the excellent condition of the carpets). While we’re in the lower sections, the pedals are all good, the seat runners are free and show no signs of neglect, and all the kick plates on each door are in good condition with only the faintest hint of wear from ingress and egress of passengers. 

The dash is in perfect order, with all the buttons and switched doing what they should. The LCD element of the dash binnacle works as it should, too, with no bleeding. All the dash lights operate, and there are no warnings to be seen. The only changes on the dash are the upgraded head unit (which is period correct to give it credit) and the insert for the immobiliser fob underneath the glove box. 

In the boot, there is a CD multi changer, the carpets are excellent, the tools are all present and correct and there is even a custom-made wood and fame arrangement underneath that was fitted by a previous owner. The spare is in good condition, and the boot floors when exposed reveal no signs of rot or corrosion. 

The Tornado Red paint is in good condition across the car. There are some touch ups here and there, most notably on the passenger rear door, but on the whole the paint shines and presents very well indeed. The panel gaps are all excellent, and there is nothing to suggest anything has ever been replaced. Crucially though, there is no corrosion to be seen. 

The black plastics have faded a little over time, but they’re all present, correct and free from damage. The same can be said of the red body colour bumpers, which are all in excellent condition with no evidence of bumps or bangs. 

The glass is good all around the car, as are all the lights, Cracked or damaged front marker lights and fog lights could be an issue, but not here. Everything is in tip top condition. The rear lights, which are plastic in construction, are both free of any hazing or cracks. Proof this car has spent a lot of time inside. 

The wheels all wear brand new Uniroyal tyres, and all the alloys are in presentable condition. There is a bit of age to them, but there is no major damage, nor any serious corrosion. All four wheels have been recently balanced and checked as part of the new tyre fitting process. 

Underneath the Golf, the body is absolutely rock solid throughout. Looking into the arches and around the sill ends, there is no corrosion or damage to be seen. It truly is in remarkable condition. Some of the underbody components have a bit of surface corrosion, but nothing of any concern. It’s all pleasingly solid and honest under there. 

As you would anticipate from a car with such low mileage, the mechanical condition is excellent. Something that is further evidenced by the clean bill of health given during the MOT. The car has been given a recent oil and filter change by the current owner, too. 

On the road, it’s a celebration of Volkswagen build quality. There are no bumps, rattle or creaks from anything. The steering is direct and engaging, with no noise or complaints to be heard nor any untoward feedback through the wheel itself. The brakes, too, are in good order and bring the Golf to a stop without issue.

There are no unwanted vibrations on the road, there is no pulling or wandering, the suspension feels planted but also responsive and comfortable. It’s just a lovely, lovely thing to drive. The 2.0 8V engine pulls well with no smoke, there is no slip from the clutch, the transmission is sharp and direct and, well, it’s just a joy to drive. But then, it has only done 46k. It’s not even broken in yet.

The Mk3 is coming of age. And if the values of Mk1s and Mk2s are anything to go by, now is a very good time indeed to buy a Mk3. Cars like this, that are resplendent in their originality are going to become harder and harder to find. Buy this, enjoy it, keep the mileage low, keep the condition good and you should be onto a winner.

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