VW Passat B8 (2014-2023): known problems and buying guide

A sound used car if the 2.0 TDI coolant level and diesel exhaust cleaning check out. Test the DSG in slow traffic before paying.

Updated 24 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
2.0 TDI, 150 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research	€464	€19,799	2,170	Diesel	DSR	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2019–2023
2.0 TDI, 200 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research	€483	€24,490	937	Diesel	DTU	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2020–2023
2.0 TDI, 200 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research	€503	€24,490	937	Diesel	DTU	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2020–2023
1.5 TSI, 150 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research	€469	€21,950	572	Petrol	DPC	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2019–2023
2.0 TDI, 122 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research	€453	€17,780	366	Diesel	DTR	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2020–2023
2.0 TDI, 150 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€454	€17,900	252	Diesel	DSR, DTS	Manual (6)	2019–2023
2.0 TDI, 190 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research	€496	€18,980	229	Diesel	DFH	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2019–2020
2.0 TDI, 190 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research	€515	€18,980	229	Diesel	DFH	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2019–2020
2.0 TSI, 190 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research	€509	€25,950	155	Petrol	DKZ, DNN	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2019–2023
1.5 TSI, 150 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€461	€19,997	85	Petrol	DPC	Manual (6)	2019–2023
2.0 TDI, 240 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research	€598	€21,800	51	Diesel	CUA	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2019–2020
1.6 TDI, 120 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch Research	€470	€13,990	50	Diesel	DCZ	Automatic (dual-clutch) (7)	2019–2020

Years: built 2014 to 2023, facelift from 2019. Saloon, Variant and Alltrack, plus the GTE plug-in hybrid.
Reliability: 3/5. Both TDI engines are rated reliable. The weak spots are the water pump, diesel exhaust cleaning on short trips and the dry DSG.
DIY: 2/5. DSG oil, diesel exhaust and cooling work need a workshop with diagnostic software.
Prefer: a full service record, proof of DSG oil changes and a car that has done longer trips. Avoid: a 2.0 TDI with a coolant warning, or a dry DSG that judders when pulling away.
Biggest risk: coolant loss on the 2.0 TDI, from about 100,000 km.

1.6 TDI (EA288), 88 kW: exhaust cleaning problems on short trips apply. See 2.0 TDI EGR valve and DPF.
2.0 TDI (EA288), 110 and 140 kW (150 and 190 PS): EGR valve and particulate filter, AdBlue, and the water pump. See 2.0 TDI EGR valve and DPF, AdBlue system and 2.0 TDI water pump and coolant loss.
2.0 BiTDI (EA288), 176 kW: no common fault confirmed.
1.4 TSI (EA211), 92 and 110 kW: some cars use oil, more often at higher mileage. See 1.4 TSI oil use and the EA211 engine guide.
1.5 TSI (EA211 evo), 110 kW: no common fault confirmed. See the EA211 engine guide.
1.8 TSI (EA888 Gen 3), 132 kW, and 2.0 TSI (EA888 Gen 3), 162, 200 and 206 kW: timing chain failure is rare on these later engines. Listen for a rattle at cold start on a high-mileage car.
GTE plug-in hybrid (1.4 TSI with electric motor), 160 kW system: no common fault confirmed.

Gearboxes are listed separately:

6-speed manual: no common fault confirmed.
7-speed dry DSG (DQ200), with the smaller engines: judder and clutch wear. See the DQ200 guide and dry DSG judder and clutch wear.
6-speed wet DSG (DQ250) and 7-speed wet DSG (DQ381): oil must be changed on schedule. No common fault confirmed.
4Motion all-wheel drive (Haldex coupling): the pump can clog. See 4Motion coupling pump.

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
2.0 TDI EGR valve and DPF	2.0 and 1.6 TDI, mostly short trips	Not stated	No confirmed price
AdBlue system	Euro 6 TDI	Not stated	No confirmed price
2.0 TDI water pump and coolant loss	2.0 TDI	From about 100,000 km	No confirmed price
Dry DSG judder and clutch wear	7-speed dry DSG (DQ200)	Not stated	No confirmed price
1.4 TSI oil use	Some 1.4 TSI	Not stated	No confirmed price
4Motion coupling pump	4Motion cars	Not stated	No confirmed price
Early infotainment and electrics	Cars built 2014-2016	Not stated	No confirmed price
Suspension and brakes at inspection	All engines	Not stated	Not stated

Check the coolant level and look for loss or staining under the car. Ask for proof of water pump work.
On a 4Motion car, ask for proof that the coupling pump was serviced. Test the all-wheel drive on the test drive.
On a dry DSG, test the car in slow, stop-and-go traffic and when pulling away from rest. Judder and slow shifts are the reported faults.
Ask for invoices showing wet DSG oil changes. The interval is every 60,000 km on the DQ250 and 60,000-120,000 km on the DQ381. Follow the service book.
Ask how the car was used. Short trips make the EGR valve and particulate filter clog. Take the car on a longer run and check the fault memory.
Ask whether the AdBlue system has been repaired. Check for AdBlue warnings. The car will not restart once the AdBlue range runs out.
On a 1.4 TSI, check the oil level after the test drive and ask about top-ups.
Ask for the TÜV report. Check the springs and brake discs, which are often flagged at inspection.
Test the infotainment, Bluetooth, navigation and rear camera on a 2014-2016 car. Check the window lifters too.

Operational	€193
Workshop	€136
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€146
Total per month	€475
New-car depreciation (not included)	€83

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.