alot of the problem is the lack of a quality servicing from garages in Ireland. I goto germany alot and I honestly can say there is not much problems with vw's there! Lots of people in Ireland want new cars and can't afford to maintain it properly. maintanance is essential and to save money lots of people give their cars to the local mechanic who just does the normal service not putting in genuine vw parts by going to the local parts supplier. And putting in crap oil like maxol 10w 40 into modern vw's is pathetic! Volkswagen service in Ireland needs to be improved without a doubt and to stop ripping people off! That's what gives Fiat, Alfa, Citroen, Renault a bad name the quality of servicing is disgraceful! Ford isn't much better and have lots of problems too! There are lots of factors like emissions for instance.And car manufacturers have to spend lots these days on trying to reduce emissions which is expensive, so they have to reduce costs in the quality of components. And quiet a few Vw garages In Ireland do NOT service the Dsg auto tip box every 40 k which is essential. So if buying a vw with dsg check for dsg service at 40k if it has not being done walk away! If any car has not being service by vw and has not got a full and complete service history walk away trust me! I got a 02 passat 1.9tdi 130bhp from a local dealer and had a full service record down to when the tyres were replaced, It's a U'K import! Fantastic and you don't see much of that here. Once you drive off in your new car the dealers don't want to know you! There are always going to be problems with cars even Toyota have many along with honda! The only car that has no reported problems I have heard yet is the Prius but maybe it's because there isn't that many around ? I do think VW reliability isn't what it used to be but then no car today is without problems! I would be interested what people think?