1987 Volkswagen Passat C review from UK and Ireland
"An economical, comfortable and reliable solid car"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Dashboard lights need very precise fiddling with the brightness dial to get them to work.
Courtesy light doesn't always work.
Noisy rear brakes, though they work fine.
Engine smokes considerably when cold.
It needed new glow-plugs when I bought it.
General comments?
The car is fairly narrow and long, with plenty of space inside and a huge boot. Driving position is good.
The ride and handling are decent enough, although the non-powered steering is quite heavy.
The front wheels are set quite far back, which makes it difficult to maneuver.
Performance from the TD engine is reasonable, it is not particularly fast. However, the economy is very good.
The diesel engine is understandably noisy, and there is quite a bit of wind noise at motorway speeds. There is fair amount of tire noise too.
This car is ffiteen years old, and there is no rust at all apart from a few minors blisters on the right rear wheel arch. The paint is still in good condition.
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All 1987 Volkswagen Passat reviews
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.6 turbo diesel Manual |
| Performance marks | 6/10 |
| Reliability marks | 9/10 |
| Comfort marks | 7/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 8/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 139000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 141000 miles |
| Previous car | Fiat Cinquecento |
| Date of Entry | 26th November, 2003 |