Volkswagen Passat Estate (2011 - 2014) 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech SE 5d (2012/12) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Nothing that I'm proud of! The "prestige" of the VW badge is highly over-rated and mainly due to an excellent marketing campaign. This car says "chosen because he didn't want a Citroen".

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

I avoid getting into those conversations.

Would you buy this car again and why?

Nope - nothing particularly wrong with the car, but there have been more minor niggles and gripes in 50k miles than I experienced in 200k miles with the Mondeo estate I had before.

What are you likely to buy next?

Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia, Trabant or Reliant Robin ... anything except a Passat.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

Yes

What price did you pay?

£23,499

When did you buy the car?

January 2013

Did you get a good deal and why?

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Company car - limited choice, this was the best of a really poor selection! Wanted the Mondeo so much!

What was the dealer like?

What's it like to drive?

Competant, ordinary, but does pull quite well.

What's it like to park?

Maybe I'm getting old and rubbish at parking, but only when I'm in a VW! Lines of sight and views to front and rear and not conducive to good driving.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Electric windows with intermittent faults - randomly opening or refusing to close. Central locking not working some days, fine the rest of the time. Untraceable at the dealership! Clutch smells really badly after a short reverse uphill or after short stop-start traffic jams, and the auto-hold lets go on hills without cause or grabs hold on the flat for no reason.

What's most practical about your car?

Roofbars as standard, yep, used them once or twice so the extra wind drag and noise is well worth it.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The door - so that I can get out of it.