Feature: The 4Car Top 10: Big, cheap estates

14 Jun 07

Volkswagen Passat

Prices: From £4,000
Versions: 1.8 turbo, 2.0 four-cylinder, 2.3 V5, 2.8 V6 and 4.0 W8 petrols; 1.9 and 2.5 diesels; 2.8 V6 and 4.0 W8 4Motion four-wheel-drives
Watch out for: The ignition coil problem with the 1.8T engine; water leaks; rusted brake servos; service history essential as timing belts must be changed to schedule.
For: Volkswagen image; good diesel engines; solidly-built; good cabin design
Against: Stodgy to drive; not quite as reliable as you'd hope; weedy smaller petrol engines with short service intervals (10,000 miles)

Big, cheap estates

Volkswagen Passat (2001-05)

Volkswagen Passat

Cast-iron credibility at the school gates, an unpretentious premium-class car& the Passat remains immensely desirable, even at five or more years old. It's a very classy second-hand buy.

The fact that it was always an uninspiring drive hardly enters into it...

The ridiculous 4.0 W8 engine is irrelevant to most buyers, although the 2.8 V6 (in combination with four-wheel-drive) is worth a punt if cheap enough.

The 1.9-litre diesels (100/130bhp) are the most sensible options, of course; Highline and Trendline models have the best kit, with leather seats and all the toys.

Volkswagen Passat (2001-2005)