1999 Volkswagen Passat 1.8 turbo

Summary:

Beautiful, but mechanically terrible; to be avoided

Faults:

Suspected oil release pressure valve failure.

Valves bent ruining engine.

Electric window broke.

General Comments:

Nice, prestigious looking car.

Mechanically it self destructed, losing us about $7000 overnight.

The car had done about 100,000kms and had a very good service record. We had it regularly serviced.

We took it in for a service because it was having trouble starting. The next day the engine was turning over, but would not start and then went dead.

The engine was found to have been completely ruined. No one could pinpoint what had happened, but the valves (?) had bent. It is suspected that the oil pressure relief valve had failed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st February, 2008