Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 TDI, 140 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €433 | €6,099 | 467 | Diesel | BMP, CFF | Manual (6) | 2010–2014 |
| 2.0 TDI, 140 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research | €454 | €6,099 | 467 | Diesel | BMP | Manual (6) | 2010–2014 |
| 2.0 TDI, 140 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch Research | €456 | €6,790 | 370 | Diesel | BMP, CFF | Automatic (dual-clutch) (6) | 2010–2014 |
| 1.6 TDI, 105 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €404 | €4,800 | 203 | Diesel | CAY | Manual (6) | 2010–2014 |
| 1.4 TSI, 122 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €442 | €5,980 | 188 | Petrol | CAX | Manual (6) | 2010–2014 |
| 2.0 TDI, 170 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch Research | €462 | €7,000 | 155 | Diesel | BMR, CFG | Automatic (dual-clutch) (6) | 2010–2012 |
| 2.0 TDI, 170 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research | €476 | €7,000 | 155 | Diesel | BMR, CFG | Automatic (dual-clutch) (6) | 2010–2013 |
| 2.0 TDI, 177 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch Research | €469 | €8,900 | 133 | Diesel | CFG | Automatic (dual-clutch) (6) | 2012–2014 |
| 2.0 TDI, 177 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research | €475 | €8,900 | 133 | Diesel | CFG | Automatic (dual-clutch) (6) | 2013–2014 |
| 1.8 TSI, 160 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €466 | €6,490 | 76 | Petrol | CDA | Manual (6) | 2010–2013 |
| 1.4 TSI, 160 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €440 | €6,700 | 61 | Petrol | CKM, CTH | Manual (6) | 2012–2014 |
| 2.0 TSI, 210 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch Research | €515 | €8,990 | 60 | Petrol | CCZ | Automatic (dual-clutch) (6) | 2010–2014 |
| 2.0 TSI, 210 PS, 6-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research | €548 | €8,990 | 60 | Petrol | CCZ | Automatic (dual-clutch) (6) | 2012–2014 |
| 2.0 TDI, 170 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €432 | €6,000 | 58 | Diesel | BMR, CFG | Manual (6) | 2010–2012 |
| 1.8 TSI, 160 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research | €478 | €7,750 | 51 | Petrol | CDA | Automatic (dual-clutch) (7) | 2010–2012 |
| 1.4 TSI, 122 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research | €440 | €6,500 | 50 | Petrol | CAX | Automatic (dual-clutch) (7) | 2010–2014 |
Show all 16 variants
At a glance
- Years: built 2010 to 2014. Saloon, Variant and Alltrack.
- Reliability: 2/5. The 1.8 and 2.0 TSI can use a lot of oil, and many wet DSG gearboxes missed their oil changes.
- DIY: 2/5. Engine and gearbox work needs a workshop with diagnostic software. Suspension and brakes are ordinary spanner work.
- Prefer: a full service record, invoices for gearbox and Haldex oil, and tidy paint. Avoid: a 1.8 or 2.0 TSI that needs oil top-ups, or a DSG that shudders when pulling away.
- Biggest risk: oil use and timing chain wear on the 1.8 and 2.0 TSI, from about 120,000 km.
Engines and gearboxes
- 1.4 TSI (EA111), 122, 150 and 160 PS: timing chain, piston rings and water pump. See the EA111 TSI guide.
- 1.8 and 2.0 TSI (EA888 gen 2, CDA and CCZ): oil use and timing chain. See 1.8 and 2.0 TSI oil use and chain.
- 1.6 and 2.0 TDI (EA189), CAY, CFF and CFG: EGR valve and cooler, diesel filter and timing belt. See the EA189 TDI guide.
Gearboxes and drive are listed separately:
- 7-speed dry DSG (DQ200): clutch wear and control unit faults. See the DQ200 guide.
- 6-speed wet DSG (DQ250): oil changes and control unit faults. See Wet DSG oil and mechatronic.
- 4MOTION all-wheel drive (Haldex coupling): the pump can clog. See 4MOTION Haldex coupling pump.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 and 2.0 TSI oil use and chain | 1.8 and 2.0 TSI (CDA, CCZ), mainly before 2013 | From about 120,000 km | No confirmed price |
| Wet DSG oil and mechatronic | 6-speed wet DSG (DQ250) | About 200,000 km | No confirmed price |
| Front wishbone bushes and dampers | All engines | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| 4MOTION Haldex coupling pump | 4MOTION cars | From about 120,000 km | No confirmed price |
| Tailgate and paint rust | All cars, mainly the Variant tailgate | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Electric parking brake | All cars | Not stated | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- On a 1.8 or 2.0 TSI, check the oil level before and after a long test drive. Ask for top-up history. Have a scanner read the engine fault memory.
- On a wet DSG, ask for invoices showing oil changes every 45,000-60,000 km. Drive slowly in traffic and from rest. A scanner should read the gearbox fault memory.
- Check the front suspension for knocks over speed bumps. Look for leaking dampers and worn front tyres. Wishbone bushes and drop links are the usual worn parts.
- On a 4MOTION car, ask for proof of Haldex oil and filter changes. Test the car on a loose surface and watch for front wheel spin.
- Check the tailgate outer edge, the number plate surround on a Variant, the wheel arches and the sunroof for paint bubbles or rust stains.
- Apply and release the electric parking brake several times, including on a slope. A slow release or warning light is a fault.
- Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN for open recalls, in particular the 23R7 software update on a diesel. Bad result: an open campaign.
Running costs
| Operational | €183 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €121 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €149 |
| Total per month | €453 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €81 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 2,088
- 25th percentile
- €4,999
- Median price
- €6,500
- 75th percentile
- €8,450
- Median mileage
- 218,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2012
- Dealer share
- 36.5%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €9,667
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
1.8 and 2.0 TSI oil use and chain
The 1.8 and 2.0 TSI of the EA888 second generation use oil because the piston rings do not seal well. Kolesa says use rises after about 100,000 km, and a low oil warning between services is common. The timing chain also stretches and can jump a tooth. AUTO BILD names a rattle for a few seconds after a cold start as the usual chain warning.
Most reports concern cars built before 2013. The piston group changed in 2013, and later cars are the better buy. VW's service action TPI 2025422 covered cars built up to about the end of 2012 and was applied when oil use passed 0.5 litres per 1,000 km. It fitted new pistons and rings. Kolesa gives about 120,000 km for the chain itself, and says some cars reach 250,000 km.
No repair cost is confirmed.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de, carwiki, Kolesa, Za Rulem, AUTO BILD
Wet DSG oil and mechatronic
The 6-speed wet DSG (DQ250) uses oil that also cools the clutches. Clutch wear particles build up in the oil, and late changes make it worse. Kolesa says the oil can pass 120 degrees, and the control unit (mechatronic) then fails. Cars: 2.0 TDI, 2.0 TSI, 3.6 and CNG.
Change the oil every 45,000-60,000 km. CarWiki advises 45,000 km or less instead of the usual 60,000 km. Za Rulem says that with good oil changes the gearbox can reach about 200,000 km.
Sources: carwiki, Kolesa, DRIVE2 2.0 TDI DQ250, Za Rulem
Front wishbone bushes and dampers
Front wishbone bushes and rear axle bushes wear out. Dampers leak, and drop links come loose and rattle over small bumps. CarWiki says springs and dampers often need replacement after the second German inspection. Za Rulem says that on bad roads the struts and stabiliser bushes have a short life.
Listen for knocks on a test drive and look for oil on the damper bodies.
Sources: AUTO BILD Gebrauchtwagen-Test, AUTO BILD TÜV-Report, Za Rulem, auto.ru logbook
4MOTION Haldex coupling pump
The Haldex coupling sends drive to the rear wheels through a pre-charge pump. Oil sludge blocks the pump, the rear wheels stop driving and the front wheels spin. Kolesa says to change the oil and filter every 40,000-50,000 km. Without service the pump lasts 120,000-180,000 km, and repair is usually needed above 200,000 km.
No repair cost is confirmed.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de, Kolesa, Za Rulem
Tailgate and paint rust
The outer edge of the tailgate rusts, and on the Variant so does the area around the number plate. One owner on DRIVE2 reports paint bubbles on most panels, a full repaint in 2018 on a 2014 car, and rust on the rear left wing about four years later.
Check the tailgate edge and the wheel arches.
Sources: AUTO BILD Gebrauchtwagen-Test, AUTO BILD TÜV-Report, carwiki, DRIVE2 rust report
Electric parking brake
Auto Express says the electric parking brake does not always release as it should, and AUTO BILD names seized calipers on older cars. Apply and release it several times, including on a slope, and check for a warning light.
No repair cost is confirmed.
Sources: Auto Express, AUTO BILD TÜV-Report
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany and UK | 23R7 (Germany) | EA189 diesels | Software update from the diesel emissions case. In Germany a car without it risks being taken off the road. |
Check open campaigns with a VW dealer using the VIN.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de
Maintenance
- DSG oil: change the wet DSG oil every 45,000-60,000 km and keep the invoices.
- Haldex: change the coupling oil and filter every 40,000-50,000 km.
- Engine oil: check the level often on a 1.8 or 2.0 TSI and keep oil to hand.
- Body: clean the tailgate edge and wheel arches, and treat paint bubbles early.
Sources
English
German
- gebrauchtwagenberater.de: Passat B7 Probleme und Schwachstellen
- AUTO BILD: VW Passat B7 Gebrauchtwagen-Test
- AUTO BILD: VW Passat TÜV-Report, Schwachstellen
- carwiki: VW Passat B7 (3C) bekannte Probleme
- AUTO BILD: VW TSI chain goodwill