In-depth reviews

Volkswagen Passat estate (2011-2014): owner reviews

"The Volkswagen Passat estate is as comfortable and luxurious as the saloon, but with a bigger boot and a more practical interior."

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by Richard Ingram

9 Jan 2014

.polaris__post-meta--date { display: none; } .polaris__post-meta--date.no-script { display: block; padding-left: 45px } 9 Jan 2014

Carbuyer Rating

4.0 out of 5

Owners Rating

3.7 out of 5

Price

£39,665 - £51,940

Reviews

Owner Reviews

5 out of 5
4 out of 5
3 out of 5
2 out of 5
1 out of 5

61%of people would recommend this car to a friend

Common Problems

Electrics, Other (1 case)
Engine (5 cases)
Electrics (5 cases)
Other (4 cases)
Brakes (1 case)
Brakes, Electrics, Engine, Gearbox / clutch, Other (1 case)
Electrics, Engine (1 case)
Suspension (1 case)

Review 1 of 83

Tell us what you think about your car?

One of the best cars I have ever owned! Reliable, economical and comfortable (I have long term back problems). VW have still not cured the 'saw-tooth' inner wear problems on the tyres: a serious safety issue that has been rumbling on for almost 9 years. Tyres have to be replaced prematurely and owners are compelled to have their tracking checked at regular (3 months) intervals. All of which costs! Until V.W. acknowledge that a fault exists (not a 'characteristic' as the memo from Head Office explained) and provides a solution, I recommend avoiding ALL VAG vehicles.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Have covered 103,000 miles in 4 years without fault. DSG gearbox is best thing about the car - don't see why you would ever have a manual again. Switched from long life to 10,000 mile oil changes which I would recommend - you don't want to see long life oil at 18,000 miles! Also must change DSG oil at 40,000 miles. Not as good a driver as some competitors but this is a quality product which if driven and looked after carefully will reward with excellent service.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems experienced. Only expeneses incurred have been "predictable" IE Routine servicing & tyre replacement.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Some faults but overall good.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

One breakdown/ recovery when rear handbrake/caliper failed. No other breakdowns. A number of replacement parts needed-new injectors on VOSA recall, new suspension bushes, new shock absorbers.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

It has been excellent from day one - never missed a beat!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Has not failed at any time since I have owned it. Starts easily in cold weather, and again in hot weather

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

NO PROBS SO FAR

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Generally very good. injectors failed recently but replaced under a recall notice.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

no problems with reliability since buying the car

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Had no problems since new

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

no problems so far

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Minor niggles due to age but car is solid

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Disappointed that the Air-Con Compressor and Radiator failed

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

A few niggly faults - rear wash doesn't work but nothing that stops the car from being used.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

For a 19 year old car it is great.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

For the first five years it was very reliable but then niggly little problems started emerging such as doors jamming, electrical problems with the heater fan and airbag sensors.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Other than tyres and servicing not had a problem

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems so far

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

So far, so good. No unscheduled maintenance stops or trips back to the dealer.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Never failed

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

it has needed :- 2 x Radio/CD players, when they break they have to go to Germany to be opened to the get the 6 CD's back - It takes about 3 months each time.] 5 x Parking sensors 1 x Fuel Pump 1 x Inlet manifold gasket 1 x Turbo 1 x Rear brake cylinder 1 x Engine speed sensor 2 x Fuel injectors 1 x Cylinder head 1 x Helicoil of cylinder block for cam belt tensioner 1 x Set of cam followers Other parts that broke when cam belt tensioner slipped

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

only 1 problem with a glow plug in the whole time

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

My previously owned and older Passats, had virtually 100% reliability and good build quality. This one is a dog with only 70000 miles on the clock, I've spent more on repairs than on the car. These include new glow plugs, electronics/ignition, rear electrically operated handbrakes, gearbox, clutch, brakes, etc.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

This car gets you from A to B with the minimum of excitement. Engine is noisy around town, speakers are poor quality. Air con works well and brakes are good.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

No serious faults, only few niggles discovered after the purchase

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Its a VW and its bullet proof

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

issue with diesel Fuel injectors - all replaced by VW - outside of warranty period, electric handbrake switch replaced twice

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Good car usual maintenance bits

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Have not had any trouble since I bought the car

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

So far no known defects have come through and only the wipers front and rear have neede changing

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

diesel money

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

The only fault has been the push switch to the electronic parking brake. Oh, and it also had "hiccups" for the first few hundred metres when driving off from slightly warm.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

So far so good, only had the car 6 months, so can't be too specific but in the time I've had it not even a rattle from it!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Its a Volkswagen!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

one fault in 5 years

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

To date I can not fault it at all.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Never broken down on a journey but minor niggles with the electronics

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Well what can I say, other than this is one of the best cars we have ever had. I own and run a new Range Rover Sport and I said to the wife the other day what car should we take up to Ipswich to visit relatives, and we both said the same thing.... The Passat. We only have a 1.6 but it cruses lovely and the comfort is second to none, with 60 mpg and £30 road tax, insuance is low too. We just had a Full service with fluid changes from a V W dealer £160 ......I could go on and on about this car but all I will say is if you are thinking about buying one, buy it, you want be disappointed.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Rushed into buying this in 2006 after my Audi A4 packed in with electrical problems. Ex dealer demo car with 30k KMs 6 months old. I have run it now for 6.5 years without major problems. Suspension creaks on speed bumps in dry conditions, air-con pump failed at 110k KMs and I have just passed 160K KMs. Only gripe is that compared to colleagues relatively new BMWs it is a boring car ... but I can park it anywhere without it getting stolen or broken into. And it's the most comfortable car I have ever owned thanks to electric lumbar support.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Has rarely let us down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

sometimes doesn't start!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

No faults since purchase

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems encountered

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

189,000 miles and still going strong. No major components just regular service items

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems at all

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

no problems other than high wear in brake disks and pads

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems so far

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

Perfectly reliable in a mechanical sense but electrical gremlins have crept in causing a failure to the CD player, electronic handbrake and the climate control.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Unfortunately, my car has suffered from a couple of common problems which were quite expensive to resolve

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Absolutely fantastic, great performance and mpg from the diesel 170 bhp engine, excellent size boot for dog box for 2 Spaniels and comfortable accommodation for passengers. Good level of equipment, sat-nav, computer, heated seats, xenon lights. great looking wheels.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

221,000on the clock never broken down while i have had it. Only normal maintenance

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Car very reliable but has had some serious issues re electronic hand brake fly wheel and a recall for injectors

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Some electrical gremlins

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

no problems yet but it is only 2 years old

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

No Red thumbs down

Tell us what you think about your car?

I have only had the car for 3 months and covered about 5,000 miles. In that time it has been fine with no problems or faults occuring.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No problems whatsoever

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No issues of any type

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Having covered 150k miles it's never let me down!

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

No running problems so far

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

Tell us what you think about your car?

Have never let me down.

Would you recommend the car to a friend?

Yes Green thumbs up

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