Faults:

Clutch replacement after 130,000 kilometers (quite a mile, since I bought the car used).

Replaced the timing belt shortly after 150,000 kilometers.

The engine control unit can fail, causing the engine to stall while driving or not start properly. This may be intermittent, but often prevents the engine from starting. Fortunately, this isn't normal, nor does it affect the engine.

No more problems, the engine runs perfectly, just perform the proper service as indicated in the manufacturer's manual.

General Comments:

It's a very comfortable and spacious car, especially for long trips, with a spacious interior, good soundproofing, and a very large trunk.

It handles well on the road, absorbs bumps well, and feels stable. The suspension is also soft, making driving as pleasant as possible.

The interior finishes are of good quality, and the car feels well built. A great improvement by Volkswagen compared to previous models.

Some people say the 2.0-liter diesel engine in this Passat is unreliable. In my case, I've never had a problem in over 150,000 kilometers, so this review is based on my experience.

It has sufficient performance for road use, with good thrust for overtaking. Fuel consumption is remarkably good, staying below 7 liters per 100 km (in the city; on the highway, it's even lower). Being a diesel (and over 15 years old), it's relatively quiet and not very noisy. Inside the car, you can barely feel the engine. At speeds above 120 km/h, it's very comfortable, safe, and stable. It performs as well as a gasoline engine while consuming half the fuel.

It is a car that, despite its age (not much but not little either), remains a very valid option for those looking for space, comfort and solid performance.

Faults:

To name just some of the problems;

Clutch, turbo, oil leaks, DPF, driveshafts, ABS, and major rust everywhere.

General Comments:

This Passat I bought used back in 2017 was a decent car for the first year or so, then it quickly fell apart.

Looked after well (full history and I also did every service and drove properly!) yet this car gave me too many problems. My previous old Mondeo from the year 2000 was honestly better.

The car was just unreliable and expensive to fix, which is a shame as it was otherwise a fine car.

High-line model had leather and lots of toys, comfortable to drive, 2.0 TDi was economical (around 45 mpg) and had just about enough power.

Good looking in silver, till the wheel arches rusted like a pig.

VW is overpriced and overrated, not recommended.

Faults:

Rust and then more rust.

Electronics problems like central locking.

Clutch and flywheel.

Weak suspension.

General Comments:

Comfortable, but poor quality.

Paint quality poor and anti corrosion non-existent.

Rusted out doors and trunk after a few years.

Looked like junk after 7 years.

Faults:

Nothing, only a dead battery, which I replaced.

General Comments:

I really love this car, and due to the fact that this is the only car that I have owned with this level of refinement, I cannot really compare it to say a BMW or something of similar value.

Well appointed and probably the most comfortable car seats I have ever sat in; no backaches after long drives.

DSG gearbox is questionable and can feel a bit clumsy at times, but then in Sport mode it will blow away everything I have been next to from a standstill at the lights, so it has its fors and againsts.

I love the exhaust note and have no idea why people upgrade to another exhaust system.

Paint is of very good quality and buffs up well.

Hi beam could be brighter for a car of this quality.

I love the car, but could still see myself upgrading to an AUDI down the track and going back to a turbo powerplant over NA...