Hi ive seen a passat that im intrested in buying its a 2001/y reg 1.8t sport reg and done 91k vw/fsh im slightly worried as the lambda light is always on. the owner said it normall and it wont go out. Ive also heard a lot of bad things about passats is there anyone out there that can advice me what would you do. the condition of the car look great im also worried about how much it cost to do repairs. any info would be a real help
thanks
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Of course its not normal, the owner is quite daft.
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have you ever had one and how was it any problems ever
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A few of my colleagues have had them as company cars and no one has had major problems with them all diesels. All averaging about 30000 miles a year.Most of them have now opted of the car scheme and bought passats including myself.
And before anybody says anything nobody wanted a mondeo.
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there was another post on this forum a few days ago with major problems on this very engine - do a search.
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I had s 2001 1.8T, pre-reg for a year. It suffered constant electrical faults and the build quality was hopeless. Got ris after 12 months because I couldn't stand the car or the arrogant dealers anymore. Put me off VW for life.
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I would get the Diesel 130 bhp Passat if I was you.
I have had mine for 4 years and nothing has gone wrong.
I went to Southampton yesterday and averaged 48.7 mpg, I didn't hang about either!
My Passat is the best car I have ever owned.
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I think was this goes to prove is that with any make you can get good ones and bad. What is important is having a good dealer that can diagnose problems quickly and fix them.
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The 1.8T VW group engines are renown for electrical problems, also the Passat is not great to drive, most of it's competitors are much more fun to drive and more rewarding on interesting roads. Agree that the 1.9 TDi would be a better bet that the 1.8T, though again there are more refined diesels to be had. The 2.3 V5 is a great engine though the chassis is still soggy, probably the best Passats to go for would be the TDi 4 Motion and V6 4 Motion, the 4wd improves the handling and the V6 is refined and quick though thirsty.
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I started a thread 2 weeks ago about the nightmare I had with my 2002 Passat 1.8T. Unfortunately, it was one of those that got lost when HJ website crashed. The basic gist of it went:-
In the first 3 years of ownership, the car was plagued with problems (including the well publicised ignition coil problem - 3 times), all covered by the VW warranty. This warranty ran out at the end of March this year.
Recently I took my car to a dealer for its 80k service - this coincided with the oil pressure light appearing. They serviced the car and investigated the problem. Result - replaced oil pump twice and various sensors - still low oil pressure. The upshot is, they now say I need a new engine as they don't know whats causing the low oil pressure.
I rang VW Customer Care, who offered to pay 25% of the costs, leaving me with a bill of about £2.5k Not satisfied with this I wrote to their director. Still haven't got a reply, but been told that the reply is with their proof reading dept and will be with me soon. I gather they are trying to avoid paying the full amount. we shall see.
My advice - leave well alone, buy a Ford or Toyota and stay well clear of the VW group.
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Michael's post is short and sweet, but he's right... it's not at all normal for a warning light to be on all the time. The best case scenario is that it's a faulty warning light. Worst case scenario is a failed cat (at a guess £400) or a failed engine management (£800 at a guess). If you're really unlucky it's a major engine or turbo fault, in which case you could be looking at four figures.
Either way, unless you fancy running your own VW diagnostic checks because this car is stupidly (and I really mean insanely, completely hatstand, it's this or a nice weekend in Leicester cheap) you don't want to buy this car.
Obviously everyone is going to say that a Mondeo TDCi handles better, is as quick in the real world and is much more economical (all true) but whether or not you take that advice, the fact remains that I wouldn't buy this car if it came with a free bargepole.
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>>Obviously everyone is going to say that a Mondeo TDCi handles better, is as quick in the real world and is much more economical (all true) but whether or not you take that advice, the fact remains that I wouldn't buy this car if it came with a free bargepole.>>
Handles better yes, as quick maybe, much more economical no way, never in this world.
Yesterday 185 miles going quickly in Passat 130, 51 mpg, my wife's Focus couldn't touch it. It is very hard to get under 40 mpg in the Ford.
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I meant OVER 40 mpg in the Ford.
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Compared to a diesel, no argument - the VW units are exceptionally economical in the real world, and on paper. The Ford tdci units are good, but not that good for economy.
The Passat in question is a 1.8 turbo petrol though - perhaps not comparing like with like but worth bearing in mind if you're considering paying a VW premium for a used car that you could pay the diesel premium instead and get better economy, or get a cheaper petrol one.
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