Volkswagen Passat Estate (2005 - 2011) 2.0 Sport TDI (170ps) 5d (2006/06) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Nothing in particular apart from needing to carry lots regularly.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Gets admiring glaces and comments...until they see the repair bill!

Would you buy this car again and why?

No. Far too many problems with it. It may be comfortable & powerful, but my 02 Passat TDi is far, far more reliable at 210k miles (and counting).

What are you likely to buy next?

Would consider a newer Passat with the common rail diesel engine, or possibly the Mazda 6.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£7,000

When did you buy the car?

September 2011

Did you get a good deal and why?

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

What was the dealer like?

What's it like to drive?

Excellent! Loads of power on tap for quick, safe overtaking, although a bit of turbo lag at lower engine revs. Corners like it's on rails. Very good for motorway cruising.

What's it like to park?

It's longer and has less rear visibility than my 02 plate Passat estate, so parallel parking not so easy. Also 1st and Rev gears are next to each other, and not obvious which is selected. This is compounded by the auto-release electronic parking brake which does not allow you to feel gear selection at clutch bite point before fully releasing.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Lots over its life time. Parking brake stuck on, warranty fix. Alarm going off for no reason - expensive fix. 1 diesel injector failure - expensive fix (other 3 injectors replaced f.o.c. at vehicle recall). Diesel Particulate Filter failure - very expensive fix.

What's most practical about your car?

Loads of space. Can get a tandem bike in the back with room to spare.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Bi xenon lights that turn into the corners...very useful on country roads.