1998 Volkswagen Golf GTI

One of the very last MKIII Golfs ever registered, this Satin Silver five-door example shows what a neat design it was. Understated and elegant, we are told this one still has its original paint and panels.

Supplied new by Wayside VW of Milton Keynes – who went on to service it 13 times on the trot - it stayed with its first owner until 2015. Still only on its third, it was last serviced in May 2021 at 66,141 miles, and this included fitting a new cambelt. 

‘R32 RWP’ also benefits from being fitted with an electric sunroof and air-conditioning, both of which were optional extras when it was ordered. These two items alone added £723.40 to the purchase price, something you can verify with the original sales invoice, which is still in the history file.

Being offered with no reserve, this is a cracking example of a hot hatchback you’ve never considered adding to your collection. 

Until now. 

The Satin Silver colour really suits the Golf’s lines giving it a hewn-from-solid look the tight and consistent shutlines reinforce.

But then this is an unusually well curated example; the black trim is still glossy and unfaded, the mudflaps are bright and undamaged, and everything still aligns beautifully.

The 15-inch alloy wheels are almost unmarked and they’re fitted with 195/50R15 tyres all round, with Avon ZV5 being fitted to the rear and Yokohama Advan on the front.

The door glass, badges, and lamp lenses are all excellent too. Heck, even the numberplate plinths still bear the name of the supplying dealer. 

There are some flaws however, but they are few. There’s a touched-in scratch on the bonnet, a scuff on the nearside corner of the front bumper, and a chip in the windscreen but that’s it though.

While the interior might lack the visual flare of the earlier models there’s no denying it’s much better constructed. Much better equipped too; this one’s got an electric sunroof in addition to power windows on all four doors. Air-conditioning too, plus a Logic 950 alarm system - and it’s not like you’re missing the essential ingredients because it still has a pair of figure-hugging seats in the front, seats whose condition is good. 

The presence of the rear doors makes access much easier than it is on the more common three-door models and the rear seat is in an even better condition than the two up front.

The door cards are also good, as are the headlining, carpets, dashboard, and instruments. It’s got a set of O/E overmats fitted and the rear parcel shelf is still there too. Even better, the latter is free of extraneous speaker holes and damage, which is remarkable.

As for niceties, it does have cupholders but they’re built into the lid of the glovebox, a lovely little detail that takes us back to the heady days when Starbucks was a new-fangled American thing only found in big cities and the hot beverage of choice was builders’ tea from plastic cups and a tartan flask.

The boot is clean and solid too, and the tool kit doesn’t look like it’s ever been used. It’s so original, it’s even still got the original Sony CD player the seller tells us was an upgrade when the car was new.

As for faults, there is a little age-related wear to the outer edge of the driver’s seat but that’s all we can spot.

As you can see, it starts well and revs as it should, producing a lovely crackle from the exhaust. The seller tells us it has “no faults to drive”.

There’s no getting away from the fact the engine bay is, cosmetically, the Golf’s weakest area. It’s structurally strong and its problems are solely superficial but there’s no getting around the fact it does let the side down a little. 

Still, it looks to be in an original condition and putting it right will give you something to get your teeth into over the coming winter, won’t it?

As for the underside, no MoT tester has ever mentioned structural corrosion, which addresses one of the MKIII Golf’s few weak points. 

Most of the components under there have been protected by grease too, but there is some surface corrosion the fastidious might like to take care of. 

The GTI’s service history is comprehensive and recorded as follows:

• 21.05.2021 and 66,141 miles – service by S.P. Vehicle Services Ltd
• 26.10.2018 and 57,970 miles – service, including new timing belt, auxiliary drivebelts and sparkplugs, by S.P. Vehicle Services Ltd
• 01.06.2015 and 54,612 miles – service by A.J. Autos of Milton Keynes
• 28.05.2014 and 48,952 miles – service by A.J. Autos of Milton Keynes
• 24.09.2012 and 45,359 miles – service by Wayside VW of Milton Keynes
• 26.08.2010 and 42,548 miles – service by Wayside VW of Milton Keynes
• 04.06.2009 and 40,095 miles – service by Wayside VW of Milton Keynes
• 31.05.2008 and 36,672 miles – service by Wayside VW of Milton Keynes
• 29.05.2007 and 33,123 miles – service by Wayside VW of Milton Keynes
• 26.04.2006 and 27,667 miles – service by Wayside VW of Milton Keynes
• 22.04.2005 and 22,531 miles – service by Wayside VW of Milton Keynes
• 29.04.2004 and 18,734 miles – service by Wayside VW of Milton Keynes
• 14.04.2003 and 16,578 miles – service by Wayside VW of Milton Keynes
• 30.03.2002 and 13,045 miles – service by Wayside VW of Milton Keynes
• 11.01.2001 and 9,347 miles – service by Wayside VW of Milton Keynes
• 12.01.2000 and 6,625 miles – service by Wayside VW of Milton Keynes
• 04.01.1999 and 3,770 miles – service by Wayside VW of Milton Keynes

That’s a cracking record, isn’t it?

The Golf’s MoT certificate, which is valid until the end of March 2024, was gained, like so many before, with no advisories. 

Brilliantly, it’s still got the original purchase invoices (£11,194 including extras) and the Golf comes with the full book pack and wallet plus the all-important stamped service history booklet and plenty of old invoices and bills for the work it’s had over the years.

Oh, and the interesting registration number of ‘R32 RWP’ will stay with the car.

If you’ve been searching for a standard MKIII Golf GTI to show and use then you can stop looking because this one is an absolute belter. Still original and unmolested, it comes with a brilliant service history and is said to drive well.

There are a couple of small jobs to do but they are minor and you’ll be undertaking them in the knowledge you’re adding value with every one you tick off the list.

Speaking of value, we estimate the virtual hammer will fall somewhere between £6,000 and £10,000 but as it is being offered with no reserve it’s going to sell from the very first bid. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located in Alton, Hampshire. Viewings are strictly by appointment.  To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.