Faults:

Nothing!

General Comments:

Excellent car, can't praise it enough. I've had one before, and when I saw this one (very cheap at less than £300) I had to have it. Quick for a 2 litre engine in a decent sized car ; 0-60 mph in just 10 seconds, and it will do just over 120 mph. Just had it serviced and changed the timing belt, runs very smooth.

Comfort? Well, I've had better speced cars (this one doesn't even have electric windows!) but it's a very comfortable car, smooth to drive and quiet, excellent ride. Central locking, alloys, spoiler, and a trip computer, that's about it. Basic spec for cars these days.

Reliability? I've had it six months and its never let me down...again, what can you say for less than £300!!

Economical too, I get close to 40 mpg on average, and that's calculated myself, I don't trust the trip computer on any car, though it does seem to be accurate.

Overall, a very quick comfortable and reliable car on the cheap. I don't know where the bad comments about this car come from - usually the USA, but the Volkswagens there aren't built in Germany, so...

The car is built so well it feels more 'executive' than family saloon. Better than the rivals (Mondeo, Vectra, etc)...not that theres anything wrong with those cars, just I like this better. And believe me, I've had LOTS of cars, everything from a Vauxhall Astra to a BMW 7-series, I just don't know why I like the VW Passat so much! Obviously bigger saloons and sports cars etc are better, but this car is just such a good 'all rounder' in terms of comfort, performance, reliability, running costs, etc.

Can't believe its about 15 years old now - and still going strong. I can easily see it lasting another couple of years. Only downside is parts are a bit more expensive than the average car, but all things considered, I'd highly recommened the car to anyone. This is the mark 3 Passat I have, but from what I here, old to the latest models are all good too, with similar good reports on reliability. Shame the USA got a bad deal on them (Why don't Volkswagen build them in Germany for the USA???)

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with the car other than the usual replacement of tyres, brake pads and exhaust.

The car never broke down and always started first time.

General Comments:

Toward the end of my ownership the car became more squeaky and rattly so that I felt I needed to buy a new car. This was annoying as I thought that it would last me a long time.

It must be the effect of my driving and British roads!

Overall the car was excellent providing cheap, comfortable travel and was particularly good on the motorway as it had plenty of power to accelerate over 70 miles per hour.

Faults:

- Steering rack (leaked fluid).

- Track rods (both) + rod end.

- Valve guides (smoky idling).

- Shot rear shocks.

- Warped coolant elbow (leaked coolant).

- Failed drivers' side electric window regulator.

General Comments:

I have to admit I quite like this car now after putting some work in it to get it right. Handling is not very involving but the engine has loads of low and middle range grunt. Everything feels solidly screwed together and works.

Cylinder head related problem was bit unexpected, but the rest of the engine is still in good works: Honing marks on cylinder walls were still visible at 127,000 miles and it doesn't consume oil anymore.

Faults:

Normal wear & tear bits.

Head gasket blew at 100,000 miles (not too bad).

Runs on fresh air.

Engine getting a bit tired now, but I think that's reasonable for the age and mileage!!

General Comments:

Reliable, a bit boring, comfortable.

Good motorway car but a bit sluggish around town.

Classic, solid, reliable boring saloon with loads of space, a massive boot and rear legroom.

I get the feeling that it will run forever.

Not a spot of rust on the paintwork.

Can't complain, but it will never light any fires!

Faults:

At around 110,000 the clutch had to be replaced. Rear wheel bearings went at around this mileage. Brake master cylinder went at around 120,000 plus other components on the braking system around the same time.

Despite these items, the car is solid & very reliable. There are very few problems & for such a large vehicle the fuel economy is not bad - average about 35mpg. I will probably keep it for a long time.

Faults:

1. Central locking pump burned out. Dealer wanted 280 pounds (!!!!) just for the part but found one at a scrappie for 80 pounds.

2. Heater controls fell apart. Fixed with super-glue (Again, dealer wanted a HUGE amount of money for the proper replacement part).

General Comments:

Great car. Very comfortable and economical. Nice high gearing ratio, making it quiet on the motorway.

Faults:

After 98,000 miles the head gasket rotted due to previous owner not changing coolant regularly (despite main dealer servicing) resulting in skimming of head etc.

Heater controls only work on screen and feet due to plastic cogs on mechanism breaking up.

General Comments:

Very happy apart from above. Regularly does 35 - 40 mpg. Sometimes more on a run.

Loads of space in the back (Dog loves it).