2012 Volkswagen Passat: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Volkswagen Passat?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Volkswagen Passat than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.4× usual
  Volkswagen Passat

  24.5% All 2012 cars

  10.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.1%, against 2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Anti-roll bar link joints2.6× usual
  Volkswagen Passat

  8.3% All 2012 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 1.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Suspension arm2.5× usual
  Volkswagen Passat

  6.4% All 2012 cars

  2.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Airbag warning light6.8× usual
  Volkswagen Passat

  4.1% All 2012 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 0.6% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Headlights1.7× usual
  Volkswagen Passat

  7.9% All 2012 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 2.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Common 2012 Volkswagen Passat MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Volkswagen Passat MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  50% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Tyres
  39% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  25% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  23% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Driveshafts and joints
  6% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2012 Volkswagen Passat

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Starter motor recall

  A recall covered starter motors that could fail and, in rare cases, catch fire.

  At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: Parkers: buying a used VW Passat B7

• Early 7-speed dry-clutch DSG

  7-speed DSG automatic

  Early seven-speed DSG automatics use a dry clutch, which is more fragile than the later wet-clutch gearboxes.

  At the viewing: Check for smooth, quick gear changes from a standstill and in slow traffic. Judder or slipping is a warning.

  If it needs doing: Gearbox sensor or solenoid, about £200–£500. ClickMechanic

  Source: Parkers: buying a used VW Passat B7

• Water pump failure (2.0 TDI)

  2.0 TDI diesel

  The water pump is a known failure on the 2.0 TDI diesel.

  At the viewing: Look for coolant leaks and check the coolant level.

  If it needs doing: Water pump, about £115–£375. ClickMechanic

  Source: Parkers: buying a used VW Passat B7

• Diesel emissions recall

  Many diesels were part of the emissions recall that followed the 'dieselgate' scandal.

  At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to confirm the emissions fix was done.

  Source: Parkers: buying a used VW Passat B7

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Volkswagen Passat

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the starter motor recall been done?
2. Has the water pump been replaced, ideally with the cambelt?
3. Has the diesel emissions update been done?
4. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Passat as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Passat as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen Passat as on other cars the same age.)