USED Volkswagen Passat Saloon (05 - 11)

My car

Had this car for 90k from new. A 56 plate. In over 2,000,000 miles driven this one has broken down the most of any car I have had. DO NOT get a 2.0 tdi PD engine. Go for the CR one. Based on the dealers comments and the recovery drivers they seem to know about the PD engine.

It is a lovely comefortable motorway cruiser with a big cabin and a cavernous boot. Great vehicle with lovely touches. Lockable rear seats so have a nice secure boot. Coin draws at a sensible location to grab toll money from. Comfortable, if slightly narrow, seats. Reasonable handling. Just pray not a hot summer as the air con is VERY underpowered even from new. Had it checked and they said was right, but it could not cool the cabin and if anyone was in the rear then the windows had to be opened on a hot day.

The cons...the reliability. 3 injectors failed - one after another. 1st one at 86k and sat in dealers for over a week. No warning just cuts out and you are left with extremely heavy and unassisted brakes and stearing. VW not interested but know it is an issue according to all 4 local dealers. 1 turbo failed at about 50k Hand brake switch broke so brake would not come off Hand brake wiring loom failed with same result as above Rear boot would not shut as catch failed with less than 2k on the clock Front suspension struts and stearing rack replaced under warranty Rear window switches replaced both on passenger door and drivers door at seperate times.

There is more but you get the idea!

My car

I own 1.9 TDI SE for four years bought from the main dealer. This car is such a shame. This is the worst car I ever had. I can list some common problems, just google this faults then you will find 1000's of affected cars, I list a few below. Fuel pump changed twice, Clutch and fly wheel changed, ABS Loom changed, Electronic parking break fault, Steering column fault and car does't start,Heater Blower Fault, Boot lind don't close in winter (But can be sorted with some white lithium grease)and finally Engine oil pumb failure (low pressure, stop engine)if you get this, need to replace the engine no other easy fix. These are common faults or manufacturing deffects, but still VAG does't recall the products. Beware if you planning to buy one of these.

My car

I have done 80k in the last 2 years in my 58' Reg Passat. Its a big comfy motorway barge and not a sports car, handling is safe ride ok on the 17' wheels. Issues: new turbo at 45k warranty job, tyres changed every 18-20k front and 60k rear, no other faults. The Air Con is a bit weedy on a hot day, however black car with a black interior doesnt help, headlights are rubbish.

I like this car as you can leave it any where and the back seats lock down to make the boot ultra secure. Solid and Reliable but not exciting. Its a lease car so cant comment on dealer costs. Audi/BMW/Merc have a higher image and Ford/Vauxhall etc have a lower image, the VW sits nicely in between. I would have another.

My car

This car definitely I would go next. I bought as it has 10k on the clock. It is very roomy inside and has enormous large boot (as I can compare with my other car Peugeot 407) so I would totally disagree with previous reviews. So far I have nearly 3 years and had no other things than service it. It never let me down. It is very reliable car even parts are not cheapest. However nothing cheap these days anymore. At least it last. This is my first german car and I would never go for any other. It has fine and sharp breaks, very good handling on the road, turbo chargers good speed so you could feel strong power of it. Only one disaqdvantage has high oil consumtion.