The Volkswagen Passat B7 (type 3C/362 for the sedan, 365 for the SW estate) is not an entirely new generation, but a significant facelift of the B6. It retains the PQ46 platform but corrects many early flaws, notably by definitively abandoning pump-injector (IP) diesel engines in favor of common rail. Positioned as a benchmark family road car (D-segment), it shines with its improved sound insulation, finish quality, and spaciousness (especially in the SW estate). While diesel engines (TDI) are the stars of the model for high-mileage drivers, the B7 was hit hard by the Dieselgate scandal (EA189 engines), whose software updates paradoxically altered the reliability of certain peripherals (EGR valve, injectors).
The Volkswagen Passat B7 is an excellent road car, particularly accomplished in its 2.0 TDI versions combined with the manual or DSG6 gearbox. It corrected the catastrophic flaws of the B6 (pump-injectors, porous cylinder heads, steering column). However, the overall assessment is tarnished by two major issues: the chronic fragility of the DSG7 gearbox (which equips smaller engines) and the side effects of the Dieselgate update on TDI engines (EGR clogging). For a used car, prioritize a 2.0 TDI 140 or 170 hp model whose EGR valve has already been replaced post-update, or a gasoline model post-2013. Avoid the 1.4 TSI 160 and models equipped with the DSG7 without a clear service history.