That’s a bit of a sweeping statement. I commute 250 miles a week in a 2003 Seat Leon TDI 110 without reliability problems. I’ve had the car ten years and the only things that failed before I would have expected were two coil springs.

Last year a family member had to scrap a 15 year old Nissan Almera. It had terminal body rust but the oily bits were still serviceable, still had the original clutch and cam chain. To my knowledge the cam cover had never been taken off.

The design of both these cars date back to the 90s, which I’m begining to think was a high point for car reliability. Since then more bits have been bolted onto engines in the pursuit of more power, economy and to meet new emission regulations. I’m getting increasing considered what to buy when I have to replace the Leon.

If the OP is looking for a VW based car of that age I would recommend the pre PD 1.9TDI. Seat was still using them until 2005, I’m not sure when Skoda stopped using them. Not the smoothest of engines but very reliable and in 110 form keeps up with more modern traffic while still returning over 50mpg. The only problem would be finding one with reasonable mileage and a good service history.

Anything using a 1.9TDI would have the Bosch injectors and that includes cars produced in the last 10years.

- VW - Golf Mk5/B6 Passat (05 onwards) - on the Passat the PD 1.9TDI ran until replaced by the 1.6TDI

- Audi A3 (03 onwards) and A4 (05 onwards) - again, both used the PD 1.9TDI until replaced with the 1.6TDI

- Skoda Octavia - (05 onwards)

- Seat Ibiza's and Leons (unsure of years)

I'd say the Octavia is the pick of the bunch for value! Just be aware that the 1.9TDI engines used dual mass flywheels from 2003 as I recall, and these can start to fail from around 100K, depending on how the car has been driven.

Thanks to everyone for their most useful comments.

Would be interested to learn if Eddy 56 's passat is still on its original clutch?

Also do the later 1.9Pds have DPF fitted and do these cause problems on this engine which was not designed to work with

I have loads of vehicles. It's all getting a bit complicated.

The Passat was my commuter until it broke. Around that time we'd just bought a Mitsubishi Outlander to replace my wife's grand c-max as we'd moved into the sticks . The Passat broke before we'd sold the c-max so I started using the c-max. I've also recently bought a Fiat Croma from the auction for a song. It had a turbo issue so I had the tubo rebuilt and hope to get it put back together and on the road soon to allow me to sell the c-max. The c-max is actually a very nice drive, handles really well. But the 1.6 ecoboost engine guzzles petrol. I also have a zx9r motorcycle which I use in the summer to commute. I havent told my wife yet, but the plan is to have the Croma as a commuter and buy a classic with the money I've saved. I made the huge mistake of selling a lovely 2.8i Capri about 5 years ago and regretted it ever since.

none of the cars are what I'd consider a replacement for the Passat. The PD130 engine was great. It handled like a boat but was lovely on the motorway and a great load lugger (estate)