USED Volkswagen Passat Estate (05 - 11)

My car

Other than a Chrysler Voyager on which a wheel fell off while driving the whole family, this is the worst cat I have ever owned. I bought the Tdi sport estate and on the first day the bonnet catch handle fell off! The tailgate empties water into the boot area every time it is opened on a wet day. The electronic handbrake is a ridiculous gimmick. The fuel pump broke down stranding me and my family on a country road. Finally the engine has packed up three weeks after the warranty ran out!

Buyer beware!

My car

I went for the Passat DSG 2 months ago and I am very impressed with it. On the road it is quiet and very stable and even with the sports suspension is still extremely smooth. The auto 'box is what impresses me most though as it changes through the gear gears quickly and fluidly with no judder. My only complaint there is you need to be quite delicate with it in reverse, touch the gas pedal and it jumps back quite quickly.

It's giving me a good mpg average of 44 overall and about 53 on the motorway, not bad for an auto.

Inside the dash is laid out very nicely, and with it being second hand (07/57) with 21000 on the clock when I got it I am chuffed to bits that there is not one single rattle, squeak or any other noise that shouldn't be there, it feels like a new car in every way. The boot is the ideal size for 2 larger dogs which is exactly what I needed and space in the back is plentiful. What's more the standard stereo system is pretty good too though I do miss steering wheel mounted controls.

Overall this is a great car that has that solid VW feel that I have experienced in the past with their cars. It's a relaxing drive especially over the long distances I have to cover. On a separate point it is, I reckon, a much better looking car than the saloon.

My car

Bought 2.0 l 170 TDi SEL DSG estate in July. Good deal as it was a pack car ie what you saw was what you got. No faults on delivery. Have now covered 7000 miles including 2500 towing caravan. No rattles, very comfortable and roomy. Minimal oil consumption. Only fault so far was outside temperature sensor under-read when in hot climate :- new sensor fitted by very helpful main dealer. Lovely car to drive and be in. Very glad I bought it.

My car

Update from my entry in December.

Now have 13k on the clock and four months in. Engine getting better, pull is very strong, economy averaging high 40's (given I don't hang about I'm pleased with this). However, two faults have now occured.....offside rear caliper moter seized on one morning just after Crimbo, which meant car had to be collected by VW Roadside Assistance (who were very good), a bit surprising and not welcome. Other fault is a niggling rattle in the offside B-pillar at head height - a minor but irritating noise!

Apart from that, tyre wear seems fine - approx 4mm left on the fronts, rears not far off new. Only other thing that winds me up is the small washer bottle - given the winter weather and motorway journeys it can be easy to go through a bottle in 2 days max!

Overall though, a great car and well worth the £7k+ saving versus the equivalent A4.