Models · Volkswagen
Volkswagen Passat B8 buying guide
The eighth-generation Passat, on UK roads from January 2015, as a saloon, estate and raised Alltrack, mostly with TDI diesels and later TSI petrols. It is a comfortable, well-built car, and the checks centre on recall work, servicing and a few known niggles.
The versions
- 1.6 TDI diesel: 120PS, DSG automatic
- 2.0 TDI diesel: 150PS or 190PS; 2.0 BiTDI twin-turbo: 240PS with 4Motion and DSG only
- TSI petrols from 2016: 1.4, then 1.5 TSI (150PS), and 2.0 TSI (190PS); the GTE plug-in hybrid isn't covered here
- Six-speed manual or DSG automatic; 4Motion four-wheel drive on the BiTDI, Alltrack and some higher-powered diesels
- Saloon, Estate and Alltrack
What to check on a B8 Passat
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
The diesel cambelt
What to look for: On a TDI, check the service history for the cambelt change and the mileage it was done at.
Why it matters: The cambelt is due every 130,000 miles on the TDI engines, but every 75,000 miles on the twin-turbo BiTDI, so a high-mileage BiTDI in particular should have paperwork for it.
Electronic handbrake and auto braking
What to look for: Apply and release the electronic handbrake several times, and pull away with it applied to check it releases on its own. On the drive, note any warning lights or the car braking by itself without cause.
Why it matters: The electronic handbrake has sometimes failed to disengage, and the collision avoidance system has braked automatically when it shouldn't have. Owners also report faulty sensors and warning light glitches.
Rattles and creaks
What to look for: On the drive, listen for rattles from the back of the car and from the dashboard, and for creaks from the door pillars, especially on a warm day. Note any vibration through the dashboard at low speed.
Why it matters: Rear rattles can come from a loose undertray, or suspension that needs lubricating. Cabin rattles around the dashboard and temperature-dependent creaks from the dashboard and door pillars have also been reported.
Also in the full guide
- Recall work
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the B8 Passat
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Volkswagen.