VW GTE
EA211 in the eHybrid. System output 150 kW (204 hp) or 180 kW (245 hp GTE). 13 kWh battery for approximately 60–70 km electric range.
GTE — the company car tax optimizer, not a sports car
245 hp system output, 81-mile electric range (since 2024). Tax benefits make it attractive for company car drivers. Drives surprisingly close to the GTI — but not close enough. No collector future, no enthusiast appeal. A tax calculator on wheels.
Engine Weaknesses 6
The DGEB PHEV in the Tarraco (245 hp system output) shares the known HV coolant circuit problem of the VAG PHEV platform. Defective heat exchanger between A/C and HV cooling causes coolant loss and pressure issues. Repair approx. 400 euros plus fitting.
Symptoms: Red warning triangle, hybrid fault message, vehicle will not start, HV coolant reservoir level dropped
Individual HV battery cells can fail prematurely and deactivate the battery. Skoda started voluntary service action 93P7 in September 2022. Primarily model year 2021.
Symptoms: Sudden power loss, vehicle unresponsive to throttle for 2–3 seconds, HV battery warning, vehicle must be towed
In the DGEB PHEV Tarraco there is no alternator. The 12V battery is supplied through the HV system. With purely electric use and no regular combustion engine operating phases, the 12V battery can be drained.
Symptoms: Keyless entry failure, starting difficulties, 12V battery warning, pre-conditioning not working
The Tarraco with DGEB occasionally shows hybrid ECU errors leading to warnings and electric drive failure. Software update or ECU replacement required. HV work only at certified Level 3 workshops.
Symptoms: Hybrid drive drops out, fault message on display, vehicle drives in combustion-only mode
The 12V starter battery drains through faulty control unit software (BEM/gateway), especially on early vehicles 2020–2021. Multiple system errors are triggered by undervoltage.
Symptoms: Vehicle activates itself overnight, numerous simultaneous ADAS errors, vehicle will not start
After the 8-year/160,000-km warranty expires, HV battery replacement costs approx. 12,000 euros at the Skoda dealer. Real long-term degradation data is not yet available.
Symptoms: Noticeably reduced electric range (below 70% of original range), battery capacity display declining
Vehicle Weaknesses 12
Approximately 56,000 Golf 8 vehicles were recalled because the automatic emergency call (eCall) did not function reliably due to a software fault in the OCU3 control unit. Around 26,000 vehicles in Germany were affected.
On Golf 8 vehicles from model years 2020–2022, a loose engine cover can come into contact with hot engine parts and melt, causing fire risk in the engine bay. VW carried out a recall.
On the Golf 8 (CD), the A/C compressor centre bolt works loose on its own. Debris enters the refrigerant circuit and damages the entire system. In addition to the compressor, the dryer and expansion valve must also be replaced.
The MIB3 infotainment system in the Golf 8 frequently crashes or shows a black screen. Navigation, reversing camera and driver assistance systems fail as a result. Early production years 2019–2021 are particularly affected.
The front camera on the Golf 8, responsible for Travel Assist, Lane Assist, Front Assist and ACC, frequently fails and must be replaced. Software updates are often insufficient — a hardware defect is usually the cause.
The Golf 8 suffers from excessive quiescent current due to extensive electronics and software bugs, prematurely draining the starter battery. The many networked control units do not reliably enter sleep mode.
The electronic parking brake on the Golf 8 shows faults in conjunction with the shift-by-wire gearbox. Error messages and Auto-Hold failures occur; in some cases the brake locks when pulling away.
The DSG gearbox in the Golf 8 shows software and hardware-related shift misfires and juddering. The tight software integration with the MQB-EVO vehicle network causes gearbox failures during system errors.
Golf 8 owners report banging and metallic noises from the front axle at slow speeds over bumps. Dry bump stops, control arm bushings or strut bearing wear are cited as causes.
The capacitive touch sliders for temperature and volume below the infotainment screen are barely or not at all illuminated in the dark. Even during the day, accidental emergency calls are triggered by unintentional contact.
The Golf 8 also suffers from condensation inside headlights, particularly with LED matrix units. Sealing issues in the headlight housing allow moisture ingress especially after washing or during large temperature swings.
Interior quality on the Golf 8 (CD) was significantly downgraded compared to the Golf 7. Hard plastics dominate the lower area. Soft-touch surfaces are largely absent, which many owners see as a step backwards.