Back in the 1980s, it was common for your average family sedans to produce less than 150 horsepower from internal combustion engines that weren’t all that small. How long do Volkswagen engines last? Today’s Volkswagen engines are built to last over 100 000 miles. This is why the engine’s duration is measured in miles. How Long Do VW Engines Last? A typical Volkswagen vehicle lasts for over 100,000 miles, with many models being driven for 10 years or more. Of course, this depends on how much regular maintenance you have performed and how well the vehicle is taken care of. How long do Volkswagen Golf engines last? A well cared for Golf engine can last as long as a decade, but the average engine that's encountered heavy use and potential wear and tear through its lifespan should last at least 5 years before it develops the need for a little TLC. The Rav4 can last between 200,000 and 250,000 miles. This means that it can give the owner a good 16 years of service, however it has a potentially shorter lifespan than one can expect of a GMC Terrain. The maintenance costs of the Terrain are slightly higher at $558 annually whilst the Rav4 costs $429 per year. A 1974 "Acapulco" Thing. The Volkswagen Type 181 is a two-wheel drive, four-door, convertible, manufactured and marketed by Volkswagen from 1968 until 1983. Originally developed for the West German Army, the Type 181 also entered the civilian market as the Kurierwagen (“courier car”) in West Germany, the Trekker (RHD Type 182) in the United Kingdom, the Thing in the United States (1973 171,000 +, still goin strong. i find if ya take a power washer to the engine, on low power every now and then it makes all the difference in the future, when it comes to looks of the engine. Save Share Q1. How Long Do Volkswagen TSI Engines Last? Although the engine is durable, it will not last as long as some other engines. According to reports, it can last anywhere from 150000 to 200000 miles. The 300000-mile mark is something that is quite rare for Volkswagen engines to achieve. So, the engine makes up in performance. How long do turbo engines last? New turbocharger. That said, there are many turbo engines that are known to last long. Take, for example, the turbodiesel in some Volkswagen cars. We have seen many of them going well past 200K miles with good maintenance. Some other German turbo cars are also known to last with good care. Is a four cylinder Most Volkswagen engines on today’s roads are designed to last as far as over 100 000 miles. This explains why mileage is used as the main factor when it comes to evaluating the duration of an engine. Let’s dive deep into the Volkswagen engine to give you a clear picture of its lifespan. sqI9.