Faults:

This has been one one the most economically cars I have had. The size is good and the ride is comfortable. I have not had any major faults until now when my n/s rear door went into a "deadlock" position (2nd time it has happened) and the repair cost is nearly £400.

The boot light keeps coming on at its own leisure (we have 2 of the same model and the other one is doing the same)

I have also got a problem with the automatic gearbox. Especially when the car is cold it keeps "jumping", and it is going in for a check up tomorrow. It seems it losses oil and due to a pressure failure the "jumping" occurs.

General Comments:

I think the Passat TDI (would only buy diesel) is a very good car with a nice shape.

I would consider changing the car in a few months to Skoda Octavia TDI which is virtually the same car, but with a lesser price tag. It seems good value.

Faults:

Air conditioning pump failed at 110000 miles - over £400 to fix and that was by a local garage. God knows what a VW dealer would've charged!

One ABS sensor failed.

General Comments:

Considering it was the lowest powered TDI in the range, the performance was adequate and she towed my parents-in-law's caravan with no trouble at at all!

Had considered trading it in for new model Passat, but redundancy and the general apathy of VW dealers put me off.

Excellent economy - 50mpg generally, 42-45 on a fast run and 30 towing.

Faults:

- Water pump seals leak. Needs replacement. Most economic to change timing belt at same time.

- Substandard suspension components failed. Required new suspension arms at front.

- Required new suspension bushings all round.

- Poor quality indicator flasher unit failed. Vibration from the dash caused electrical contacts inside to loosen and wear.

- Water leaks into engine bay

- Dashboard rattles and makes noises.

- Air conditioning behaves inconsistently - doesn't always switch on particularly at low engine revs (?)

- Brake discs needed replacement at 40000 miles (although this is probably to be expected)

General Comments:

Nice turbodiesel engine. Very economic.

The build quality of this car is however totally inexcusable. It will be the last VW that I ever buy. The dealers charge ridiculous rates for labour to fix problems that are of VW's making.

The suspension design is fundementally flawed, and will be subject to repeated failure and premature wear for the life of this vehicle.

The quality of the electrics, and some of the mechanical parts is highly suspect. There is a feeling of cheapness on close examination of some engine parts. VW engine parts are generally not repairable. The whole part is removed and replaced.

The ride quality is comfortable, and the diesel engine is very economic, but the vehicle.

Faults:

AC Compressor at £400

Suspension Control Arm at £200

Rust on rear window sill

Noisy tappets.

Slow coolant leak.

Intermittent electrical fault.

General Comments:

A nice car, that shows off the Germanic build quality of the interiors. As its not a Sport model however, the suspension is wallowy, and does not engender safe feeling at high speed.

The suspension problems have also put me off, as I read many people suffer from the creaking suspension bushes that are costly to fix!

Overall though, disappointed really, and will be returning to Nissan shortly (changing to a 99 plate Primera today!). Much better handling, and reliability to boot... although the interiors will need some getting used to.