Is a volkswagen golf diesel with over 100k miles on the clock going to be a good buy?

It could last a day, it could last a decade.

My brother owns a golf GTI, purchased new, it lasted about 3 months before he had serious problems with it.

My friend Paco also owns a golf, an old one, and he has over 350k on the clock.

It is not a high watermark for it being deisel. One would expect the engine to last 300k.
It is the rest of the car and makers history as well as how it has been driven that maters.
I specifically hunted for a VW Deisel a few years back. First for fuel economy and next for life.
I bought my Passat TDI used with 60k. Usually people who buy a TDI intend on keeping them ther cars life. While I am pleased ith the economy (40–45mpg), I have had a good share of other issues. So the savings in gas may have been eaten in service expense. I however hope for an easy 200–300k in life.
With that in mind, I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee with 360k on it and have spent next to nothing in odd service dollars.
It also with vary based on what kind of driving has and will be done.
Take it to a mechanic and get it checked out.

I had a brand new Jetta TDI that crapped out at a little over 24k. The engine was o.k. but the electrical system was terrible. I went through two computers then the dealer wanted to replace the wiring harness! It seems that Jettas built in Mexico had a pinch point that damaged the wiring harness. To top it off VW said that the electrical system was only guaranteed for 24K and my was over so it wasn’t covered. I dumped the car with deep regrets. It was the first VW that I had that lost money. I wouldn’t buy another one unless it had a 250k warranty. Frankly, I wouldn’t buy it unless the car was in excellent shape, absolutely no rust and a very long warranty on the electrical system and drive train.

Looking at the advertisements, I like the mini better than the Golf.

@Ron_C The Electrical harness and computer was one of the items I also had to deal with on my Passat. These are items that one would not anticipate a high replacement rate on.

If you’re not used to a diesel engine, or familiar with them… then that would be a concern (though not one you couldn’t remedy by doing some reading).

Past that VW’s are a pretty reliable brand.

Good diesel engines can do 200–300k miles.

VW’s have a history of electrical problems. I heard rumors that they cleared it up, but I don’t know if that’s true or what year they resolved those problems. We have a VW like that, but so far the electrical problems aren’t overwhelming.

I know several people who own Golf / Jetta diesels over 350k.
As @mattbrowne points out, a good diesel can do 300k before its first rebuild easily. The problem is knowing if you have a good or bad diesel.
Many factors play into evaluating this. @jerv can weigh in on this question better than I can, he is much more conversant with the vagaries of VWs.
As far as I can tell from the ad, the car is a good deal.
I recommend you have a competent and trusted mechanic check out the car and do a compression test and a fuel-pressure test. An oil analysis might not hurt, but those are expensive- and 100k miles is not much for a diesel. Hell, my gas-powered car has 170k and I know more than one gas car that is upwards of 200k.
Most of all, remember that buying a used car is always a gamble. Make sure the stakes are commensurate with the odds, if you can.

VW makes an excellent diesel engine. As everyone above said, the problems lie elsewhere. I’ve had a Jetta and a Golf. The door handles broke off, the window motors failed, the AC was a joke. Worst was the electrical issues (ended up wiring the headlights, glow plugs and wipers directly to the battery with toggle switches on the dash) and the CV joints. Both my cars needed expensive CV repairs.

@Blueroses You now reminded me of both CV / axle repairs on my passat. ugggggg

Would you believe it; like I said in a previous post, my 2000 VW went through two computers and a wiring harness. I traded it for a brand new Mercury Cougar (I don’t know if they’re available in Europe), Anyway the Cougar blew a main bearing at 7500 miles. The engine was rebuilt (my choice) and in 200 miles the main gasket blew. We have a lemon law and Ford wanted the car back. I got a Focus ZTW 5 speed in 2003. It has everything including leather seats. I still have it, it’s a great car. I notice that the same car is available in Belgium with a diesel engine. I would have bought that and my car would be absolutely perfect.

If it were an A2 (the second generation, 1983–1992) then I would say that it was still fresh after 300,000.

However, VW dropped off a little in the mid-90s, took a nose-dive in the late-90s, and hasn’t scraped itself off the ground yet. Diesel or not, expect electrical problems. Why? It’s a Volkswagen; that’s what they do.

The mileage doesn’t scare me, but the year does. And this coming from a guy who owns an ‘85 Toyota with 230,000 on the clock.