2002 Volkswagen Passat Sport review from UK and Ireland

Car ran beautifully for about 4000 miles and then it all started going wrong, as follows:

Warnings for "Low coolant" and "check brake pads" go off at random, despite aforementioned coolant level and pads being just fine.

Intermittent stuttering under acceleration until the engine has warmed up.

Climate control display sometimes shows garbage. You don't want to know what I have been quoted to have this fixed.

Popped two ignition coils (still stutters though)

Fuel consumption has gone from 34 mpg average to 26, yet my daily commute hasn't changed. Nobody can tell me why.

Scrubs outer edges of front tyres visibly from about 4,000 miles. Geometry has been checked by 2 VW dealers and proclaimed within spec.

Knocking wishbone bushes started in the last 500 miles, as has a groaning power steering pump.

I gave up my plasticky, but reliable 1996 Mondeo 2.0 Ghia for this car having been seduced by its gorgeous interior and handsome styling, not to mention VW's reputation for quality and durability.

It's an ex lease car from one of the biggest fleet management companies in the country. It's clearly been cared for (the interior and bodywork are both immaculate, and the car has never run so much as a mile late for a service), but as it approaches 97,000 miles, the repair list just keeps growing.

My Mondeo had 150k on it and was still as dependable as clockwork.

I prefer the Passat as a car, and apart from slightly numb steering, it drives beautifully. However, the days of VW building cars to last seem long gone. This is the most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned by a long chalk, and someone at VW needs to have a serious word with their component suppliers.

Interior quality is good though, which is nice when you're limping it to a garage for yet another problem to be fixed.

A terrible disappointment.