Volkswagen Passat 2000-2005 used car review

The Volkswagen Passat offers a comfortable drive and premium features at a low price. A poor reputation for reliability makes it a risky buy.

The Volkswagen Passat sits in an unusual position in the car market. It is considered a premium model when compared to Japanese cars like the Mazda6 and Nissan Primera, yet it does not have the high-end image of the Audi A4 or BMW 3-Series. It is available in sedan and wagon versions - the latter is known as the Variant.

The interior features some very nice feeling soft plastics and fabrics - the odd item out is an area of wood-look plastic trim around the stereo and doors.

The steering wheel is wrapped in leather. Chrome-trimmed gauges are straightforward and easy to read. A red information screen is set in the centre of the dash cluster. The centre console features a Japanese navigation and stereo unit, which will require a band expander to receive local stations. Below it is the climate control air-conditioning.

The front seats are very well sculpted for support, particularly under the thighs. The driver's seat has a massive range of forward, backward and height adjustment, which makes it easy for drivers of any size to get comfortable. The rear seat has plenty of legroom, although the ceiling feels a little low. Three adults are unlikely to find enough width across the car.

The Passat's boot is a reasonable size and we think up to four large suitcases will fit. However, that might take some juggling because the entrance is a little shallow. The rear seat splits and folds forward for larger items and there is a ski port between the seats.

Comfortable and easy are the best ways to describe how the Passat drives. The steering is quite light and the ride is soft with most bumps absorbed well. Road noise is also minimal. The brakes feel very soft, although that might be more of an indication that our car needs a service.

Forward and rear visibility is not great when parking - the low curving nose makes it difficult to guess where the edges of the car are. Parking sensors and reversing cameras are not standard on any models and we think a camera would be a great addition. You can buy one to fit yourself from $50 or have a professional do it from $200.

The Passat has a reasonable tow rating for a medium-size car. It can pull 750kg unbraked (a medium-size garden trailer) and up to 1,600kg braked (a medium-size trailer boat).

Listen for a harsh shift, particularly a thump on downshifts when the car is slowing. Check too for “flaring” or a slight rev when the engine changes to a higher gear. Total loss of drive is also possible. A replacement transmission is the easiest way to fix the issue, but the fault is so common there’s a chance the new box will do the same. A rebuild is pricey and unlikely to be economical.

ABS pump failure is another common problem. It is reasonably expensive to rectify, so check for any warning lights that stay illuminated as you drive. If you’re buying privately, make sure the ABS warning light comes on when you first start up as part of the check-light test cycle in case an unscrupulous vendor has removed the bulb to hide a faulty system.

Carefully check the interior too, because the glue holding the roof lining and door trim fabric in place can fail over time. The only solution is to have new head-lining installed by an automotive trimmer at the cost of several hundred dollars.

Aging air-conditioning units on Passats are another weak point, so make sure you check both the hot and cold cycles to determine the correct temperatures are being reached. Look under the carpet in the front footwells - the aging air-conditioning condenser pipe can become blocked which may cause water to back up and drip down into the cabin floor.

Other weak points to watch out for in the cabin are the door grab handles, cloth panels behind the handles, electric window switches, the driver's door master switch, window regulators and central locking actuators.

Be aware that the wear cycle of the front discs and disc pads is usually considerably shorter than in the Passat’s Japanese rivals and, although not expensive, the labour cost of fixing them can be an unexpected burden.

New Zealand-new and used import models have similar specifications. The key difference is in safety specification. Electronic stability control is standard and New Zealand-new model cars get front, side and curtain airbags. Only front airbags are standard on import models and the others are common options.

This review covers the Volkswagen Passat for model years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Review vehicle supplied by Turners Cars.

*Our insurance estimates are based on a 35-year-old male with no accidents in the last two years, garaging the car in Mission Bay, Auckland. The car is not used for business and will cover 10,000km to 20,000km a year. We estimate with no option add-ons and $500 excess. Customise your estimate at Trade Me Insurance.