Buying advice Volkswagen Passat (B5/B5.5) 1996-2005, Common Issues, Engines, Inspection

Buying advice on a used Volkswagen Passat. The B5 was the fifth generation Passat from Volkswagen.

[TopSecretVid]

Anhyone here want a 2003 B5.5 Passat Wagon 5spd, 1owner, Fresco green!!

[Happy-Me.]

The best Passat VW have ever made. So well engineered! I've had mine 12 years it's a 2 litre 2002 with only 80, 000 miles. Rust free and so reliable! 😎

[vtex]

Look out for:
- Rusted front fenders, on the inside of the top of the wheel arch. This shouldn't mean that there's rust on anything structural, but Passats I've seen with rust there tend to have rust elsewhere.
- Water can build up in the plenum chamber in front of the firewall and behind the engine bay, this can be drained by just shoving a screwdriver in the drain hole under the battery. This issue affects PL45 gen Audi A4 and A6 too and isn't that big of a problem.
- CV boots/joints will need replacing a few times throughout the car's life
- Gear lever leather cover for manual gearboxes is usually worn where someone shifts hard into 5th/6th gear. Nothing wrong but ripped leather looks bad on the interior.
- Key fob loses range after a while. Try replacing car and key batteries and don't leave any electronics running off the car's battery. You can also route a cable from one of the CCM harnesses in the passenger footwell to the antenna or up the A and B pillars to increase range.
- These issues are not that bad, and are cheap to fix. Other than that, it's solid. 187k miles here with no mechanical issues

[MrWuLove]

My God! VW Passat B5/B5.5 is not based on the same platform as a Golf IV!!! It shares the platform with older Audi A4/A6...

[pdebenedictis]

I have had my 2005 GLS Wagon. By far the best car I have ever owned. Only maintenance. No mechanical problems...14 years in and it starts every time I turn the key. I still like the way it looks as well. I could get another car, but I can't bring myself to sell or trade it.

[allanb]

I have a 2003 Passat 1.8t automatic transmision, and it is amazing it has currently 250k miles on the dash and it runs great, just with few maintenance repairs like oil and brakes other than that it is a very reliable car.

[bizjakboris]

Bought passat b5 1.8t manual (2000) in summer 2020 with Already made 20000km in few months driving across Europe. Amazing smooth drive with fun acceleration (stage 1). Almost no rust. It's a great car. Just replaced spark plugs myself and runs/purs like new.

[johne]

The B5/5.5 Passat wagon is the best-sized, best-configured car ever offered in the US market. Our 2001 is still going strong --- a real keeper!

[xgamerbih]

I have the B5, it's, just, AMAZING

[takeomack]

Nice review! I just picked up a 2003 Passat W8 sedan with a 6-speed manual. 130, 000 ish miles, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT! Runs really well...$1, 000!

[Happy-Me.]

The best Passat they ever made. Look how many that you still see on the roads today. I have a 2002 with not a drop of rust on it and the full original exhaust!!

[NomadicPhotoSafariAdventures]

I bought a 1999 Passat wagon with the 1.8T/auto trans almost 4 years ago with 167, 000mi, now ready to turn 236, 000 on the odometer, for $1200. Quite simply the best car I have ever owned. Not a single squeak or rattle to this day, no matter how bumpy the road. Aside from a new battery and tires, the only issues have been the replacement of the coolant flange located on the rear of the motor. A $16 part but a pain to replace due to the location. (pretty much blind access) The dealership wanted $650+ to replace but after watching several YouTube vids decided to tackle it myself. After a lot of cursing and skinned knuckles goal accomplished and happier for the headaches, not to mention saving myself over $650! It does go through a bit of oil which is somewhat common with the turbo but I just keep an eye on it as well as all the fluids and not a problem. I only use full synthetic oil as well. Still gets around 26-32mpg city/hwy. Considering this vehicle has only cost me about $300/year for what I paid for it, it truly has been a gem! Of course I see all the nice new vehicles vehicles that most people drive nowadays but when you consider that most have 4, 5 or $600 monthly payments for the “privilege” of driving a new car, I just laugh all the way to the bank!

[pdebenedictis]

My 2005 GLS wagon is by far the best car I have ever owned. Always reliable and enjoyable to drive. Can't bear to part with it.

[orochiwarrior]

I have a B5 1.8T Passat, manual transmission. It has 236, 000 miles and is running like a new car. I just did a valve cover gasket change on it. It does eat up oil a bit more than other cars. But changing the oil every 5000 miles + checking on the fluid levels every few days is key to keeping the car alive & preventing carbon and sludge build-up. Make sure to change that timing belt every 60, 000 miles. If that thing breaks during a run, you'll need to take the entire head out and replace any cracked pistons + shave down any bent cylinders. If not get a new head (might as well buy another car if it comes down to that.) It's really a wonderful car though. Easy to work on too.

[kaitleeeey]

JUST BOUGHT B5.5 - THANK YOU! TORONTO CANADA

[avrjacq]

Water inside your B5 or B5.5 driving you and your mechanic crazy? Clean the battery compartment free of leaves and debris that clog the drain underneath the battery tray.👍

[albanianstallion]

My B5.5 has just made it to 20 years old! I have never heard about a car that has lived that long..

[kko]

VW B5.5 from 2003 with 1.9TDI, amazing car . The vagon model is one of the best family car from that years, best passat ever made.

[nickhoekstra]

I drive a passat b5 sedan from '97 with 350.000 kilometers.. Its without a doubt the best car Ive ever had. No rust after 21/22 years. OEM parts are a little expensive.

[WorthlessNickores]

My 2004 Passat GLS has 117K miles and is the 1.8T with 4motion and 5 speed manual in Harvest Beige with Beige leather interior in complete stock OE condition. Changed my timing belt and head gasket at 110 K miles. Just did my 120K service early and am getting ready to change the fluid in my differentials. I LOVE my car. I will not ever willingly get rid of it.