Faults:

Not much while I've had it, but according to the history, the DPF filter has been replaced and that was not cheap! And the flywheel and clutch also at great expense. Injectors were looked at as well at some point, but a vague description of work carried out.

General wear and tear - it's had all the oil changes and correct servicing bar, one miss according to the history logs.

General Comments:

Great car to drive, the 2.0 diesel engine pulls strong while doing a solid 50 MPG (but only on a long drive, around town expect 40 - something).

Interior is very nice and has a high quality feel even after more than ten years. Well laid out and comfortable. Electronic hand brake is a real pain to use - much preferred a lever!

One of the first of the new shape 2005 Passat's, improves on the already great previous car of the 90s and early 2000s. Very popular as a taxi and it's easy to see why - lots of space and good economy.

However, if recommending as a car to buy privately, I'd say go for a petrol one - although the year I've had it has been great and gave me no trouble, looking through its previous history, it has been a typical modern diesel car - with expensive repairs outweighing any advantage of fuel savings. You just don't get the problems this car has had with petrol models of the same type.

Only reason I bought this car in fact was because of the large amount of work it had already done to it, but let's face it, at over 10 years old and over 100K miles, I'll be moving on to another car soon. If I can afford a newer low mileage car it will definitely be petrol and possibly another Passat, as well it's a good car all things considered; just be aware of those diesel repair bills as the miles rise if you buy a diesel one of these.

Faults:

EGR valve failed £300, airbag faults, steering column lock failure £1000+, various electrical faults, central locking failure £250 etc etc...

General Comments:

This car is superb to drive and gives 50mpg+ on a run. The car has a full VW main dealer service history and is in an excellent condition. I love the look of this car.

I have to sell the car as it is simply too dear to maintain. I have only done 10000 miles over the last year, but have needed in excess of £2500 worth of repairs. The steering column fault is a common failure, which costs loads to put right, and can only be done by a main dealer for loads of money.

(If it does not go soon, I am sure that I will be caught out by clutch & DMF failure, injector failure and possibly oil pump failure; all well documented faults on the net.)