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Clutch judder on Golf - what's the fault?

Very occasionally I experience severe clutch judder in my 2005 Volkswagen Golf when pulling away in 1st gear, generally after stop/start driving in heavy traffic for 30 mins plus. Higher revs allow a smooth departure.

The rest of the time I have no problems at all and the car runs very nicely. Is this a failing clutch and/or something I should be concerned about? The car has nearly 80,000 miles and I am the second owner.

Asked on 23 March 2014 by namehere

Answered by Honest John
I've had this on Golf GTIs as they got older, especially in reverse. It was actually the clutch release bearing slipping off centre.

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