Forget the official figures, they are only for tax and comparison with other cars, tells you that in all brochures.

48 mpg from a big car like the Passat in mixed use is excellent. When I buy a car I take the combined figure and deduct 20% off it, that is what I expect, a bit either way and its not far off the mark. Take 20% off 60.1 mpg and you get 48.1 mpg, exactly what you are getting.

Basically your expectations have been unrealistic. We has a similar sized Mondeo Estate,did 38 mpg in mixed use which I was happy with, exactly 20% off the official figure.

A 'real' 48mpg measured brim to brim is pretty good for a 1600kg family barge in mixed driving, especially in the current low temps which increase consumption.

As mentioned, ignore the advertised figures, the test routine from which they are obtained is forced on the manufacturers and bears little relation to real-world motoring. Knock about 15 - 20% off those and you get close to the truth.

As a salesman of 25 years plus and constantly on the road it is a constant challenge to achieve mpg. I have driven nothing but Diesel motors since my 309 back in 1992, no turbo. Because of the way fuel is reclaimed, IE pence per mile, you need to be mindful to break even, possibly profit. Break even point was average 50 mpg, every mile per gallon above was profit, but in order to achieve this my driving style had to adapt. I found that harsh braking and rapid acceleration were very expensive, between lights etc, keeping revs below 2000 was a must, coasting down hills when ever possible.

This all sounds mundane stuff but once established is second nature, government figures are produced on sterile rolling roads with little resistance or onboard weight.

My expectations are at least 70-75mpg for motorway driving and 50 mpg around town.

Currently driving a 2009 blue motion passatt estate. Which I ensure pays it's way when it comes to fuel.

If mpg is of importance, driving style must change, if not then put your foot down.