First registered on 16th October 1999, this is a particularly special example of the increasingly rare Volkswagen Golf Mk4 V5. Finished in the striking Canyon Red, complemented by a beautiful cream leather interior, it is a wonderfully understated example of Volkswagen's late-90s engineering and one of the more characterful models from the era.
With just three former owners and showing a genuine 57,500 miles, this V5 has clearly been cherished throughout its life. It is also accompanied by an exceptionally comprehensive history file, including its original sales brochure, price list, service records, MOT certificates and a substantial collection of invoices.
What really sets this car apart, however, is the considerable investment and attention to detail lavished upon it in recent years.
Having reached 24 years of age, the car was entrusted to MTSV Mercedes Specialists, who undertook an extensive programme of preventative maintenance and refurbishment to bring it back to an exceptionally high standard. The work was carried out just a few thousand miles ago and covered virtually the entire drivetrain, braking system and running gear. In fact, so comprehensive was the programme that many of the components replaced still had plenty of life left in them. This was very much a case of doing things properly rather than simply doing what was necessary.
The documented work includes new front and rear brake discs and pads, replacement rear brake calipers, refurbished front calipers and new retaining springs, complete front hub carrier and wheel bearing assemblies, new front brake backing plates, rear hubs and bearing assemblies, and replacement ABS sensors. Both front bottom arms and track control arms have been renewed, along with all four shock absorbers and all four brake flexi hoses. The brake lines have also been renewed, together with the genuine Volkswagen pipe clips.
The suspension and underside have received equally thorough attention, with a complete replacement rear axle beam and bushes, a new front subframe and bushes, replacement front anti-roll bar bushes and drop links, and a new centre gearbox mount. The underside has also been treated with Dynax protection, while components not requiring replacement were cleaned and refinished.
Further work included a replacement centre exhaust section, new battery and fuse box, replacement fan control module, air-conditioning pressure switch and compressor, as well as a replacement rear door latch, tailgate struts and nearside front window regulator.
All four alloy wheels have been professionally refurbished and fitted with new tyres and centre caps. The car has also received a comprehensive service, including fresh engine oil and filters, spark plugs, brake fluid, coolant and cabin filter.
The result is a Mk4 Golf that has benefited from an extraordinary amount of mechanical attention, offering considerable reassurance to its next custodian and preserving what is becoming an increasingly difficult car to find in this sort of condition.
As the more luxurious V5 offering in the MK4 range, this car came with an impressive level of equipment for its time. The cream leather interior is a particularly attractive feature and provides a lovely contrast to the Canyon Red exterior.
Specification includes full leather upholstery, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, heated front seats, cruise control, an adjustable steering column and an automatically dimming rear-view mirror. There are also front, passenger and side airbags, split-folding rear seats, front and rear electric windows, electrically folding and heated door mirrors, ABS and traction control.
The car benefits from Volkswagen's Climatronic climate control system with air conditioning, front and rear armrests, remote central locking, remote boot release, the MFA driver information system and the factory anti-theft alarm. Further equipment includes front fog lamps, rear wash/wipe and genuine Volkswagen mudflaps all round.
Inside, the car retains its original Volkswagen Gamma RDS head unit and CD changer, both of which are included with the sale alongside the upgraded double-DIN CarPlay and DAB unit. Genuine Volkswagen cream overmats and a genuine boot liner complete the period-correct presentation.
The history file is a real highlight, with an excellent collection of original Volkswagen literature, including the sales brochure and price list, alongside the service history, MOT certificates and an extensive selection of invoices documenting the car's life and recent investment.
The cherished registration V5 OOH is included in the sale.
MOT until 26th November 2026.
There is something rather special about the MK4 Golf V5. Produced during a time when Volkswagen was building cars with a distinctly solid, understated feel, the V5 offered something a little different from the usual four-cylinder Golf. Its naturally aspirated 2.3 litre five cylinder engine delivers a distinctive soundtrack and a wonderfully characterful driving experience that sets it apart from its contemporaries.
Today, the Mk4 V5 is an increasingly uncommon sight, particularly in manual form, and finding one with such low mileage, attractive specification, excellent provenance and this level of recent mechanical investment is becoming a real challenge.
This is not simply another older Golf that has been kept on the road. It is a thoughtfully preserved example of a rather interesting chapter in Volkswagen's history, presented in a fantastic colour combination and benefiting from a level of expenditure that would be difficult to justify undertaking from scratch.
For anyone who appreciates Volkswagen's modern classics, or is looking to add an increasingly rare and distinctive 90s/early-2000s performance-oriented model to their collection, this V5 deserves serious consideration.
A superbly presented, increasingly rare Mk4 V5 with the history, specification and mechanical preparation to make it a genuinely appealing modern classic.
On the market for £8,500.
Located at the Resto Haus HQ in North Devon.
National and International shipping can be arranged.