Buying advice Volkswagen Passat (B7) 2010-2013, Common Issues, Engines, Inspection

[@Miclawan]

Currently owning a B7 2.0 140 Cp. One of the most safe and reliable cars i have ever driven. I can engage in a depar without problem. The seat are very comfortable, and in the back, they can throw a party while I am driving. Very smooth at high speed, I can't even realise I reached 200 Km/H. Really dangerous car if you want to keep your driving licence.

[@Nas2k41]

I currently own 2013 B7 saloon sport model, 2.0 DIESEL BLUEMOTION, 170bhp, automatic DSG gearbox. Fully loaded, leather heated seats, upgraded 18” alloys! Bought at 68k now at 150k. Still runs like new! Never taken for the recall & never will. Only had 1 problem with the passenger airbag light keeps popping up?? Apart from that this is the best vehicle I have owned since my 1992 Honda Civic eg9 oh and my Toyota avensis 2.0 TD 👍

[@Raj-zk4bb]

Hi, I am also planning to buy 2012 or 2013 model, there is news about dsg gearbox. Do you have any suggestion or recommendations about what to keep in mind or to check for before buying ? Your help on this will be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[@MrBikedrummer]

Is that engine noisy as far as revving high on the highway? I'm looking at a 2012 2.0 Thanks

[@goldaxe91]

Hi I had a problem with the passanger airbag warning too. After I went thru a puddle it came up. All mechanic said not possible that is water damage. Apparently it was water damage to the airbag control unit. I bought a second hand on ebay for around £40 and got it changed by an autoelectritian for £20. It did not solve the problem as it's need special coding so he swapped back and I took to an independent vw-audi garage where they fixed it for £50. I regularly service at every 10-12k miles with castrol oil. I've had no issues apart from the above in the last 30k miles since I bought it. It has 127k on a clock now and drives like new. Very economic car and spacious as I have an estate. I bought a furniture from IKEA 182cm fit in the boot (seats down) no problem. It is however very boring car. Even said that I cannot think any bette replacement of it now for a same budget. It's a cheap car and cheap to run.

[@tombowes9823]

Im about to buy one thank you for the extra information 2011 Passat 125tdi

[@zimbabwebassguy3441]

The timing chain failure is a design feature for planned obsolescence in VWs. Just too common

[@lesrogers7310]

I have a 2011 2.0 TDI 140. My thoughts on this against my old 2.0 B5.5 model are: 1) Ride and Handling - Handling is far superior but this has been at the expensive of the supreme ride comfort of the B5.5. Also, the B7 is not the most composed car when traveling on poor surfaces or drain covers etc. 2) Build Quality - All metal panels appear much thinner than the B5.5 and are easily dented! Not impressed! 3) DSG compared to 4 speed auto box - DSG is fantastic but needs to have regular fluid changes. Both transmissions are actually very good! 4) Visibility - Not great in the B7 due to thicker pillars containing more airbags. For some reason I struggle to park straight in the B7 where the B5.5 was easy to park. 5) Economy and Performance - Here the 2.0 TDI easily outperforms the old 8v petrol B5.5. And so it should, with the obviously thinner metal panels there is less weight to drag around. Along with is, fuel economy is also much better averaging around 50 mpg on a typical urban cycle.

[@chirilalaurentiu9701]

Hi I own a passat 2.0 l 170 bhp year 2011 and I drive it for nearly 2 years and the single problem I have it is egr valve and ac compressor in rest all good and comfortable and I drive it few times from UK to Romania with 4 people on seats and the boot full. Nice car if you check services on time.

[@ElectricLarry__]

Oooooo, European women 😛

[@steveboable]

well had mine 2 years now i have a 2 lite tdi when i got the car done 28 thousand miles now done 75 thousand miles done 42 thousand miles in 2 years is great on auto rotes or Motor ways its brillant on them so far 920 miles to a tank is comfortable yes very One Thing i say to any one have the car serviced look after it done from Calais to Budapest on the one tank make sure you change the timing belt at 70 thousand miles other wise look at a very expensive repair never let me down it all ways starts

[@stajpi]

i have just bougth a 2013 1.6tdi 105hp variant! like just yesterday :D

[@johnnyk2929]

stajpi how much u paid?

[@williamheffernan5826]

How have you gotten on with the car? Have you seen any issues with the car that you would call out?

[@LeslieWilliams-x2g]

Driving cold no issues but when warm in1 2and 3 gears in low.Revs all ok but raise the revs and I get a rattling noise rev higher the noise goes away the hotter the engine the more noise.Runs perfectly in higher gears can you help please thank you.

[@xRaThaLx]

It is a great car overall, but the rust problem is immence, my 2011 B7 sedan is rusting on all four doors just bellow the handle. Even if you change to a new door or from scrapyard, the problem occurs again there is definetrly a problem.

[@ElectricLarry__]

What are the odds of you living where it snows a lot which causes vehicles to be subjected to salt corrosion 🤔

[@planaproject]

@@ElectricLarry__ Yeah, sounds like hes not taking care of the vehicle properly. I live in sweden, which is basically more salt than tarmac in the winter. Ive never seen a B7 with rusted out doors.

[@spencerbowditch8601]

I’m tempted to swap my 2013 Tiguan 2.0 110 tdi S for a 2013 Passat b7 estate 2.0 tdi 140 highline executive both with 60k any thoughts?

[@MotorRacer13]

No

[@MmMm-fs3nc]

Hi. I see vw passat variant 2.0 TDI 140 ps .car is all good but running 440.000 km can I buy this one

[@pranavtamboli7143]

Hello I've owned Passat B7 highline modle, actually I've issue that whenever I put reverse gear camera comes out of VW symbol but does not show on display all parking sensors are working absolutely fine. Any suggestions?

[@MikeWoods1987]

I'm looking at a 2011 1.6tdi passat. Is it worth it? I have 3 kids and I want something that won't cost me a fortune to fix all the time. What is better 1.6 tdi or 2.0tdi?

[@Torzonborzoff]

Buy 2.0, less trouble with engine. More than enough space on backseats for 3 kids and you still have space for luggage and toys. I have this one and i am satisfied with it.

[@sebbe5004]

1.6 and 2.0 is basically same engine(block) difference is in cylinders, injectors turbo etc. Better buy 2.0 bcs 1.6 Will be too sluggish, i had 1.6 in octavia 2015 and there (car weight 1300kg) wasnt enought and passat is 200-300kg heavier, 2.0 tdi 140bhp i am having in my passat b7 variant, reliable cheap to run, avg 6liters/100km cheap parts, just change oil every 6000miles/10000km and it Will run forever

[@MikeWoods1987]

@@sebbe5004 thanks for replying.. I'm actually looking at a 2014 1.6 diesel skoda octavia. It seems to tick all the right boxes. Big family car and very reliable.

[@sebbe5004]

@@MikeWoods1987 yes it is a really good, and family friendly car, i am having Two small children myself, i was happy with octavia but it was a bit underpowered and loud comparing to passat or even golf, but i didnt sold it, my parents took it and after 200k km on clock its still running like new ;) take 1.6 and chip it or pay a bit more and take 2.0 tdi 150 , car is worth of every penny if its in good condition

[@MikeWoods1987]

@@sebbe5004 ya the one I'm looking at is 1.6. Roughly when do you change the belt on them?

[@airplane6417]

Hi! I just got a B7 in North America with the lowest trim, and it has a 2.5 liter 5 cylinder gasoline engine. Is this any good or does it have problems?

[@jamice3986]

I have the same engine on my b7 2013. I have problems with temperature gauge dangling between 170-190 degrees, and my heater on the passenger side blows cold air.

[@FRZGarage]

2.5l v 5?

[@Edvard.Munchkin]

I had a 2010 one with a 1.6 tdi engine. I always wanted a passat, finally got one I thought my dreams had came through. WRONG. Absolute shit heap excuse the language. Severely underpowered revving the nuts off it to try get any go out of it especially with a full load of passengers. Terrible on diesel. No power after thrid gear, useless for overtaking engine control unit went costing 600 euro to repair and parking brake fault for 1,500 euro. Sold it after 9 months thank God for an opel insignia and yes you can say what you like about them but the insignia, so far has been superb and far outshines the Passhit

[@markcoleman7102]

Should of got the 2.0 tdi biturbo then

[@Edvard.Munchkin]

@@markcoleman7102 that wouldn't fix the reliability problems though would it? Besides bitdi wasn't available in 2010. Piece of shit cars

[@mrspicypunch2306]

what is the best diesel engine of the b7? I am interested in an engine that will be reliable, without problems

[@flinkinblipable]

Just bought a 2014, 2.0l TDI BlueMotion ES Estate, it's a lovely car. Doesn't like tootling along at 30mph in 4th but on the motorway or national speed limit roads it shines. Tax is only £30 a year... grab one if you can!

[@johnilbehonest]

​@@flinkinblipable 30 pound a year that is amazing. We get ripped off in my country

[@flinkinblipable]

@@johnilbehonest It's actually just gone up... £35 now! 😂

[@flinkinblipable]

Touch wood had no issues with the engine at all... just had to replace rear discs and pads on both sides and one rear wishbone bush. £190 for the lot... I may have the best mechanic going tho'!. Only other issue is the nearside bi-xenon headlight gets a bit of condensation if it's a cold day and I do a lot of miles... a replacement is £1053 or £664 from Euro car parts... I think I'll leave it for the time being.

[@pranavtamboli7143]

One more issue my car's key less entry not working, lock and unlock is functional from remote key

[@Nicholas_1988]

is the B8 2015 & above 2.0 TDI reliable? I have no experience with Diesel engine and I hesitate between the 1.4TSI 125hp or the 2.0 TDI 150hp. I heard TDI engines can be very expensive to repair and are not as fuel efficient as the 1.4TSI. I am not sure which one is the best to go for. We do mixed city and motor way driving. Thanks for your help cheers

[@FalenGood]

Smart Money Mauritius that's a stupid question... TSI is best engine ever made

[@Nicholas_1988]

in your opinion between TSI 1.4 and 2.0TDI its better to get the 1.4TSI... I have always had Petrol cars. Diesel engines are quite a mystery to me. I would personally go for the 1.4TSI unless advised against it. I heard the 1.4TSI 150hp was not very good tho because it was 2turbos and quite complex and expensive to repair (this is something I heard so this could be completely false) thanks for your feedback I appreciate it I really like the Passt B8 and the 1.4TSI even tho 125 HP is not much it should be ok.

[@FalenGood]

Smart Money Mauritius 1.4 150 hp have still 1 turbo , get 125 hp version with DSG

[@Nicholas_1988]

in Ireland we only have the 1.4TSi 125HP. The DSG is what I have in Mind :) thanks mate

[@marcmissadji4481]

Hi sir. Is it normal that the car at start do not pass 2500t/mn when accelerating ??

[@donniesoprano]

EGR problem

[@hailesal3964]

I have a 2014 January model in the uk , when should I change the belts , my mileage is 70k

[@magpiedaft]

now .. lol

[@Abhi.kurade]

Hi I am buying a 2012 VW Passat 1.8 TSI. What do I need to look for when I test drive. What are your thoughts on 1.8 ltr engines.

[@EEPRODUCTIONSKLB]

TSI engines are quite nice technology, but there are some things you should look out for like for instance the timing chain. Read this article about TSI engines if you did not do so already: www.autoevolution.com/news/volkswagen-tsi-engines-explained-60143.html

[@AndyFerdean]

The 1.8 TSI needs Oil added after a while. Just check the Oil level frequently.

[@CiroDiMaRzio12304]

@@AndyFerdean unless you let it fix, but that will cost around 5k.

[@Kuba3286]

Buying a 2012 1.6 tdi:)

[@EEPRODUCTIONSKLB]

How you like your car so far ?

[@ifyoudidntknowyoubetterask]

Hello! I am looking at a 2012 VW Passat 2.5L, any major replacements that should’ve been fixed after a certain amount of miles??

[@efilimone]

How reliable is the dsg transmission in this car?

[@CatalinV]

Any problem, 2013 05 140hp dsg with 276.00km and works great!

[@lesrogers7310]

Very, just make sure the fluid changes are done on time.

[@marlonbaird6070]

Like any auto just change fluids

[@ivomiguelpereiracouto390]

Dude, at 3:08...why is my car in your video? Same license plate...wtf 😂

[@EEPRODUCTIONSKLB]

Maybe we where there at the same time, you did not notice me ?

[@denniskambinda9639]

Are the asian passats also reliable

[@EEPRODUCTIONSKLB]

Shanghai Volkswagen is basically the same as the European Volkswagen. Sometimes the ASIAN VW use "aged technology", the benifit of this is that it has proven technology. The older TDI's from Volkswagen are quite bullitproof.

[@ElectricLarry__]

He forgot to mention the 2.5L inline5

[@dacman61]

It appears his review is coming from a European view. I don't think those are available in Europe. I had a 2009 VW Jetta in the US. It was a dependable engine, but not an engine that came with a bunch features to tweak or upgrade at the time.

[@Gskooo]

The 2.5L gasoline is indeed an US exclusive.

[@igie0525]

How about peugeot 407

[@dirtblurt8623]

Bummer dude

[@sskkuuddrraa]

facelift of b6...that the moment when you just stop watching! wtf?!?

[@EEPRODUCTIONSKLB]

Explain

[@mrd799]

They are very cheap now.

[@roadrunner1095]

Haha... what a joke of a video. Only issue is 1,4 TSI? Where is any inspection of the car?