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 considerably improves interior finish quality, sound insulation, and technological equipment (emergency braking, fatigue detection). While it excels in comfort and spaciousness, its mechanical reliability is highly contrasted. The petrol engines (TSI), which are the subject of this report, went through a dark period at Volkswagen (excessive oil consumption, fragile timing chains). Conversely, the diesels switched to common rail technology and proved much more robust than in the previous generation, despite the Dieselgate scandal.
The Volkswagen Passat B7 is an excellent road car, but buying it with a petrol (TSI) engine is like navigating a minefield. The EA111 (1.4) and EA888 Gen2 (1.8, 2.0) engines suffer from major design flaws (timing chain, excessive oil consumption) that can lead to engine destruction. The combination with the DSG7 (DQ200) gearbox worsens the overall assessment. Buying advice: If you absolutely want a petrol Passat B7, look for a 1.8 or 2.0 TSI model whose engine has been completely rebuilt (pistons, rings, timing) with supporting invoices, or opt for the rare and expensive 3.6 V6. Paradoxically, although this report focuses on petrol, the 2.0 TDI versions (manual or DSG6 gearbox) are infinitely more recommendable for this generation.