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Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Lemon Odds and Nada Odds for the Year Ending June 30, 2018

An asterisk (*) marks results based on small sample sizes.

Year Make/Model Nada Odds per 100 Cars Lemon Odds per 100 Cars    
51 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 17500 miles driven2017 Volkswagen Golf 1.8T
[?] see reported repairs
  51 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 17500 miles driven
70 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 12900 miles driven2017 Volkswagen GTI and Golf R
[?] see reported repairs
  70 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 12900 miles driven
39 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 28600 miles driven

A year ago the 2015 Golf 1.8T had a similarly high repair frequency, while the GTI has generally been better.
2016
Volkswagen Golf 1.8T
[?] see reported repairs
  39 vehicles, 11.8 months per vehicle, 28600 miles driven

A year ago the 2015 Golf 1.8T had a similarly high repair frequency, while the GTI has generally been better.
87 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 21700 miles driven

A year ago the 2015 Golf 1.8T had a similarly high repair frequency, while the GTI has generally been better.
2016
Volkswagen GTI and Golf R
[?] see reported repairs
  87 vehicles, 11.7 months per vehicle, 21700 miles driven

A year ago the 2015 Golf 1.8T had a similarly high repair frequency, while the GTI has generally been better.
56 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 38900 miles driven

Redesigned. Golf 1.8T initially had a higher repair frequency than the GTI, and the TDI still does. Unclear why. All might have a somewhat common problem with failing AC compressors.
2015
Volkswagen GTI and Golf R
[?] see reported repairs
  56 vehicles, 11.4 months per vehicle, 38900 miles driven

Redesigned. Golf 1.8T initially had a higher repair frequency than the GTI, and the TDI still does. Unclear why. All might have a somewhat common problem with failing AC compressors.
42 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 46400 miles driven

Refreshed for this model year. Reliable so far.
2014
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
[?] see reported repairs
  42 vehicles, 11.3 months per vehicle, 46400 miles driven

Refreshed for this model year. Reliable so far.
36 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 57900 miles driven2013 Volkswagen GTI
[?] see reported repairs
  36 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 57900 miles driven
38 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 70800 miles driven2012 Volkswagen GTI
[?] see reported repairs
  38 vehicles, 11.5 months per vehicle, 70800 miles driven
26 vehicles, 11.1 months per vehicle, 86200 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.
2010
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Join or sign in to view   see reported repairs
  26 vehicles, 11.1 months per vehicle, 86200 miles driven

Redesigned for this model year.

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs. Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Lemon Odds and Nada Odds

Other sources of Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI reliability data provide only averages, which can conceal as much as they reveal. So we also report the percentage of Mercedes-Benz E-Classs and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTIs with no repairs at all in the past year and the percentage of Mercedes-Benz E-Classs and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTIs that are lemons (required three or more repair trips in the past year). These figures might surprise you.

These stats are promptly updated four times a year, to closely track Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI lemon odds as the cars age. Others can be over a year behind. Only TrueDelta tells you how reliable the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI have been recently.

To see how frequently Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.

TrueDelta Reviews the Brand Reputation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Brand Reputation: Pros
YearComment
2014 I tend to ignore brand reputation and image, and this is reflected in my reviews. But there's just no way to ignore that a Mercedes is a Mercedes. Audi and BMW now command similar prices, but haven't yet acquired the same mystique. They probably never will for people born before 1980. This mystique cuts both ways. The three-pointed star makes too strong a statement for some people. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Brand Reputation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2010 4dr Sedan 268-horsepower 3.5L V6
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Premium mark, german engineering and ride. Powertrain durability see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 210hp 3.0L V6 Diesel
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Prestige see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2008 4dr Sedan 268-horsepower 3.5L V6
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Good looking & styling. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2007 4dr Sedan 268-horsepower 3.5L V6
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD
It is a Mercedes, enough said. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2007 4dr Sedan 268-horsepower 3.5L V6
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD
The Merc E-Class has established itself as a performer as well as a superior luxury vehicle. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2007 4dr Sedan 507-horsepower 6.2L V8
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD
It is Mercedes, there is nothing like pulling up to a place in an AMG. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2007 4dr Sedan 382-horsepower 5.5L V8
7-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Mercedes Benz brand reputation speaks for itself. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2005 4dr Sedan supercharged 469hp 5.4L V8
5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Mercedes is still king. Is why you see movie stars go buy them. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2004 4dr Sedan 221-horsepower 3.2L V6
5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
It is the quintisential Mercedes. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
2004 4dr Sedan supercharged 469hp 5.4L V8
5-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Mercedes has always been a car that demands perfection from its assembly line. And AMG even raises the bar. see full Mercedes-Benz E-Class review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Brand Reputation of the Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI

Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Brand Reputation: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2009 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
I always see Volkswagens as great, reliable cars. The GTI is special because of its utility and performance. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 2dr Hatch 170-horsepower 2.5L I5
6-speed shiftable automatic FWD
german built, soild car see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2008 2dr Hatch 250-horsepower 3.2L V6
6-speed automated manual AWD
Like the 2004 R32, the 2008 R32 had a limited production run of 5000, most of which are now sold. The R32 is really a well balanced "mini grand touring" car; without the stigma of being a "rice racer" like the Evo or STi. A great car for road and track! see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2005 2dr Hatch 200-horsepower 2.8L V6
6-speed manual FWD
VW builds a quality car, besides their electrical issues, which I have not had in either of my last two GTIs. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2004 4dr Hatch turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel
5-speed manual FWD
VW, to me, means smart and sophisticated; while, at the same time, being practical and understated. Owning one shows you know automobiles without having to shout about it. VWs are not appliances. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Brand Reputation: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2016 2dr Hatch turbocharged 210hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Low reliability see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2013 4dr Hatch turbocharged 140hp 2.0L I4 Diesel
6-speed manual FWD
VW does not have that great a reputation in the U.S. This is a shame because the Golf really seems to be a well-made vehicle. Time will tell whether it holds up, but there are many horror stories of poor service, poor dealers, and the factory not standing behind their warranties. I'm hoping that VW has improved their ways, but this remains a major sticking point. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2009 4dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
VW dealerships have one of the worst reps. for fair service prices. The dealer I saw was great on the test drive front, but I feared the service desk a few years down the line. see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review
2007 2dr Hatch turbocharged 200hp 2.0L I4
6-speed manual FWD
Too many people, VW are still seen as nice cars that break often see full Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI review