﹒Excellent condition throughout
﹒Only 52,722 miles from new
﹒Subject to a recent recommissioning
﹒Recent MOT and Service

Volkswagen faced a real dilemma when it replaced the chunky but much-loved MK2 Golf GTI in 1991, keen to push the GTI name into a more refined state of mind, the press prematurely announced that the edges had finally been rubbed off the mighty Golf. Yet, in truth, it never lost that sheen that made the car such a valuable commodity. Heavier than its predecessors, the GTI didn’t quite offer the verve and agility of its earlier namesakes but its useful torque and fluency in the corners were appreciated by those who had grown up owning past Golf GTI’s and were looking to settle down with a more mature machine. Of course, you also had the carved in granite build quality, along with the positive image of having a Volkswagen Golf GTI parked on your driveway. Packed with ABS, a multi-function computer, drivers air-bag, air-con and cruise control, the GTI could not only just take on its competitors but was also frugal and practical. 

This car is being offered to you in excellent condition thanks to a combination of careful ownership profiles, low documented miles and a recent recommissioning. We present you with a genuine modern classic that deserves a re-evaluation and offers the potential to become a wise investment.

The current keeper of the car felt duty-bound to bring it back to its former glory. Essentially treated as a hobby renovation, he was mindful not to overspend too much cash on it. This was not helped by the realisation that while he was working on the car, there was a temptation to actually keep the car and use as a weekend driver. The reality of the sale is due to the need to free up space to allow more projects.

The car was taken on by its current owner in 2020, after buying the car off his landlord, who had kept the car in storage for around 6 years. MOT records show the car has only covered around 3,000 miles since 2013. The landlord never found the time to sort the car out, and therefore never registered the car under their name. Forward to the present, the current owner saw the potential in the car thanks to its condition and low miles. He states that it was a good solid base to start off with and the Golf has not needed any significant amount of work to get it up to its current condition. The main focus was a respray, new front bumper, repair the headlining and replace a good proportion of renewable service items. The car also comes with a fresh MOT and service.

The car comes with 20 years of MOT’s which correlates nicely with the mileage. It had been originally registered new by VAG Main dealer Colbourne Garages Ltd in Surrey in November 1996 and then owned by a lady owner who covered who around 3,000 miles a year - yes, this sounds far too good to be true but the condition of this car, along with the MOT history fully supports this. The car also has VW service history stamps to 2001. As the car had been inactive for a period of time, the owner has taken the wise decision of replacing all of the serviceable parts, which includes brakes and engine items. He has also taken the precaution of replacing the timing belt and cooling system - essentially a top end rebuild of the engine. As a formality, the owner tells us that the work carried out is documented in a project log with before and after images of the work - in this instance due to the comparatively straight forward nature of the overhaul and the car's decent condition, it is not a particularly comprehensive document but enough proof that it has been done.

The interior is in very good condition, as expected for a car that has seen sympathetic use. The cloth seats are in good order, with no rips or tears. The dashboard and plastic trim are in good condition, with the smallest of age-related wear. The headlining was fixed, presumably falling down during its time in storage and the rest of the interior is all original. The door cards, door rubbers, facia, switches and buttons are said to be as you would expect a car of this mileage to be. The carpets and mats are in good condition. The electric windows and air-con are said to be fully functional. All of the other electric items are working.

The exterior panel work is remarkable straight and the big news with this car is the absence of corrosion. The MK3 GTI's comparative rarity can be attributed to its poor rust resistance record, which now makes it rarer than the first two generations. The MK3 Golf used lower-grade steel, but mercifully this 1996 example is one of the later examples which benefitted from improvements to the quality, placing this rust free 5-door example as a genuine rarity. The equal panel gaps, along with no signs of deformation or dents can also confirm that the car has been spared of any major accident repair. 

The front bumper has been replaced and repainted, it was after this renewal that the owner decided that it would be best to repaint the whole car in its original Storm Grey colour. As a result, the finishing and lustre of the paint are to a high standard. All of the exterior plastic and trim components are in good condition with no major scuffs or damage, just slight evidence of age and minor wear and tear. All of the glass is in age-related condition with no significant chips or scratches. There are no signs of misting or damage to the lamination.

Other than the renewal of the brakes components and engine service parts, there isn’t a huge amount to expand on in terms of the mechanical renovation aspect of the car, but it is said to run well with no issues regarding the engine, exhaust or the suspension. The engine has had a new timing belt, along with renewed cooling system components. It is said to fire-up straight away, with no issues regarding the running - no reports of knocking noises or blowing are present. The engine reaches temperature without signs of overheating and the dashboard lights remain off after start up. The visual presentation of the engine is pleasingly clean and also includes a recent battery.

The original alloys are in great condition with no signs of kerbing, just minor wear and tear. The tyres show above legal thread and are in good condition. The owner has reassured us that nothing significant will need doing to the car, but it’s worth considering that due to its period of inactivity, things many need to loosen up as the car is re-introduced back into service. The underside of the car is in very good condition, with a rust-free floor pan with virtually intact undersealing. The boot/spare wheel well and engine bay areas show no signs of significant corrosion, the suspension components are also in a remarkably clean condition.

Values of decent low miles MK1 and MK2 GTI’s have become beyond the reach of the casual buyer looking for something well made and fun to drive, so this is precisely where the MK3 GTI comes in. Curiously still under-appreciated, the MK3 has always lived under the shadow of its older fast-but-loose sisters. The MK3 doesn’t sacrifice safety for enjoyment, and in GTI form is still fun to chuck around. Most of the MK3 GTI period rivals from France and Japan have long been dispatched to the scrapyard, yet thanks to Volkswagens outstanding build-quality and finish of materials the Golf becomes a natural choice for those looking for a modern classic that can be used in modern conditions.

Please note: Photos provided by seller

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