I loved that car, and regularly got >35 MPG.
I've been looking for another, that's why I got excited about the Scirocco down the street, that I can't afford, but it hasn't sold yet, so maybe I can afford it, but then my Wife would be mad 'cause there is another car in the driveway, but I could store it at my Friends Repair Shop, although I already have one there. so maybe it's not for me anyway.
Dang, I loved that car,
But I still think it is the operator who decides how long a starter will last. And previous owners are the worst abusers.
Yes, other factors play a role, but these factors can be controlled by the operator as well.
My second job as a Mechanic was at a VW Dealer, at one time I had 6 (six) Rabbits in the back yard. My house looked like a bad VW commercial.
Schultz.