2009 Volkswagen Passat petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Volkswagen Passat petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Volkswagen Passat petrol than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Engine warning light2.1× usual
  Volkswagen Passat

  4.7% All 2009 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.7%, against 2.2% of all 2009 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.

• Side repeaters2.1× usual
  Volkswagen Passat

  2.9% All 2009 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.9% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

Common 2009 Volkswagen Passat petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Volkswagen Passat petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  41% 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
  33% 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
  22% 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
  20% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  15% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Exhaust and emissions
  12% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Known faults on the 2009 Volkswagen Passat petrol

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.

• Accelerator that doesn’t respond

  All engines

  A faulty accelerator pedal or its wiring can stop the engine responding and turn on the EPC warning light.

  At the viewing: Make sure the EPC light goes out and the car responds smoothly to the pedal.

  Source: Haynes: VW Passat common problems (2005-2010)

• Electronic parking brake warning

  All engines

  The parking brake warning light can come on for no reason because of a faulty control unit.

  At the viewing: Apply and release the parking brake and make sure no warning stays on.

  Source: Haynes: VW Passat common problems (2005-2010)

• Humming when cornering

  All engines

  Old gearbox oil can cause a hum from underneath on corners.

  At the viewing: Listen for humming on bends.

  Source: Haynes: VW Passat common problems (2005-2010)

• Rattle from the air con compressor

  Cars with air con

  Play in the air con compressor pulley causes a rattle from the front of the engine. The fix needs the air con system draining and refilling.

  At the viewing: Listen at idle with the air con on and off.

  Source: Haynes: VW Passat common problems (2005-2010)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Volkswagen Passat petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2009 Volkswagen Passat petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2009 Volkswagen Passat petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?