Golf windows misting up

The ventilation on my 2009 Volkswagen Golf (1.4 TSI) has always seemed poor (mist takes ages to clear in the mornings) but this evening when driving home the problem suddenly got worse. In fact, I had to pull over for five minutes until I manged to wipe all the windows clear.

The temperature outside was cold (3 or 4 degrees) but this is a road I have driven virtually daily in all weathers for five years in various cars and I have not had this problem before. I have dropped the cabin pollen filter out of its housing - it was bone dry and none of the carpets are damp. My wife tells me the same has happened to her occasionally too. In another situation this could have been dangerous - is this a common Golf fault?

Asked on 25 November 2014 by 2xTrancer

Answered by Honest John
This sometimes happens in VAG cars seemingly inexplicably. When it happened to Mk II Golfs and Jettas on a wide scale the culprit was failure of the heater matrix and all had to be recalled for new heater matrixes: a nightmare job for dealers. So check that isn't leaking.

If all dry and under the mats all dry, and the vents set to recirculate, then something inside the car has introduced damp and the difference in temperature between inside and out has caused the internal condensation.
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Comfortable and quiet on the move, enjoyable to drive. Nicely trimmed with great attention to detail. 1.4 TSI sweeter to drive than a diesel.
 

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