06 Passat Common Problem?

PhotogTom

Hi,

Looking at a high mileage 120k plus for €6000 dealer asking price. Good deal? Good service history and I'd know the local dealer well enough.

I've driven company Passats before and been happy enough. Now I need to buy my own car.

I've heard that these Passats can have issues. What should I look for?

I also did some googling and came up with this
"The 2006 passat was the first year of that body style, first year of that powertrain, first year of EVERYTHING in that car. So it's entirely new. Vw worked out a lot of bugs and released updated parts for many problematic items on the car.

The coil packs, steering lock, etc are recall items that affect many other vehicles and not just yours so I don't clasify that as an issue. Front lower control arm bushings were known to make noise especially your year...they revised them. The high pressure fuel pump and camshafts were soft for that year and they have an extended warranty now up to 120k miles."

crosstownk

Are you considering petrol or diesel?

PhotogTom

Diesel

crosstownk

Turbos give grief if the service intervals haven't been adhered to or if incorrect oil is used. Fuel pumps also give hassle. Electric handbrake can 'seize' at will too. Door locks and window regulators are common failure items. If it has a dual mass flywheel then that's another potential bug. If a particle filter is fitted then that may go tits up too.

I'm sure there's more that don't come to mind right now.

PhotogTom

Thanks. Local garage has done all services and I think he'd be straight with me. I'll check on those things along with timing belt.
Does price seem right?

_Kaiser_

If it's the 2.0 TDI model you're looking at (which in my opinion is a better fit for a big car like this) check if the injectors have been checked/replaced under the recent recall as they can fail rather dramatically (power just dies) and expensively.

PhotogTom

Thanks, will do. Not too worried about engine as I'm not too sporty a driver! Should I be worried about the "high" mileage? That's probably my main worry tbh.

_Kaiser_

PhotogTom wrote: »

Thanks, will do. Not too worried about engine as I'm not too sporty a driver! Should I be worried about the "high" mileage? That's probably my main worry tbh.

Put it to you this way...

I've a 06 2.0 TDI Passat that I bought in 2008 as the 2nd owner with 56,000 km on the clock.

It currently has 220,000 km and still running perfectly, but then I get it serviced roughly every quarter at a main dealer and the only things that have gone wrong other than "consumables/wear and tear" items such as tyres, timing belt, suspension bits etc was the flywheel (but any modern diesel will have that problem) and #2 injector was about to fail (but covered by the recall)

So it all depends how it's been looked after really

PhotogTom

Good point. It does come down to the basics. I'll double check the service history and hope for the best!

mickdw

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

.......and #2 injector was about to fail (but covered by the recall)

That was one of the bigger issues which is now thankfully being looked after. Dont forget, many owners just like you paid out thousands on these injector issues before VW were forced into covering it.
It might be worth one of the guys here telling the OP what engine codes to keep away from as there are some which are quite troublesome I believe.

bazz26

120k miles on a 6 year old diesel is average for a car of it's age.

PhotogTom

I would have thought 12k per year not 20k would be closer to average?

bazz26

PhotogTom wrote: »

I would have thought 12k per year not 20k would be closer to average?

For a petrol, not a diesel.

PhotogTom

20k is high for either
http://www.cartell.ie/2011/01/average-annual-mileage-drop-in-figures-for-diesels/

bazz26

PhotogTom wrote: »

20k is high for either
http://www.cartell.ie/2011/01/average-annual-mileage-drop-in-figures-for-diesels/

The reason behind that article is because lots of people who don't actually have use for a diesel, went out and bought them because they were cheap to tax. And that mainly only applied to 2008 and onwards.

I'd be more concerned about a 6 year diesel car with low mileage.