1999 Volkswagen Passat Sport 20V T review from UK and Ireland
"Comfortable, reliable, high quality family car"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Air mass sensors needed replacing at 80000 miles.
Fan belt tensioner snapped at 95000 miles.
ABS ECU Module failed at 98000 miles.
General comments?
I have been driving this car for about 7 years and 90,000 miles, during which time it has been generally very reliable, with problems only starting to occur in the last year or so.
With 150bhp, performance is not bad, even with the Tiptronic gearbox.
I have found it to be a very comfortable car, with unbroken journeys of 5 or 6 hours easily achievable.
Boot is huge - I can get all holiday luggage for a family of 4 in it without having to resort to a roof box.
Fuel economy averages around 32mpg in mixed driving.
Interior cabin quality is very high. Even after 9 years it's showing very little wear, apart from the floor under the driver's feet.
Handling is not razor sharp even with the Sport model, but it's good enough for general driving. Ride quality is very good.
The only thing I think is not great is the standard fit VW radio - reception in the South East of England is only just OK on FM, and dreadful on AM.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1999 |
| Year of manufacture | 1999 |
| First year of ownership | 2001 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2008 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.8 turbo petrol Semi-Automatic |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 8 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 9 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 7 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 10000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 100000 miles |
| Previous car | SAAB 9000 |
| Date of Entry | 7th March, 2008 |