2011 Volkswagen Passat Charity Auction

Highlights

• All proceeds of this sale go to mental health charity Mind
• Joe Achilles, in this very car, managed Africa to the UK on one tank of fuel
• Fully documented drive on Joe’s YouTube channel showing the purchase and prep of the car and the drive itself
• Still has just two owners from new
• This mighty Passat can hit an indicated average of 94mpg

Overview

We know what you’re thinking: have we lost our marbles? What is a diesel VW Passat doing gracing the hallowed pages of PH auctions? Particularly in that colour scheme? Well, allow us to explain. You see, this particular beige barge has a notable history and, as such, we’re pleased to be working with Michelin to offer this car for auction with ALL the proceeds, including the buyer's fee, going to a great cause, the mental health charity Mind.

For this is the very car in which Youtuber Joe Achilles completed his spectacular journey from Africa to the UK (a short jaunt of just 1,500 or so miles) on just one tank of fuel. Yes, you read that right. The choice of car was not, you’ll be unsurprised to learn, determined by its capacious dimensions and subtle colour scheme but rather because the B7 Passat 1.6 TDI Bluemotion Tech holds the world record for the distance travelled on one tank which, by the way, accommodates 70 litres of the black stuff.

Before embarking on this remarkable journey, Joe saw to it that the car was properly prepared, with a full service, new cambelt and water pump, new rear pads and discs, and a new rear drop link. To further maximise efficiency, a set of Michelin ePrimacy tyres was also fitted, courtesy of Michelin, who supported this incredible endeavour.

With the challenge successfully complete, Michelin proposed that the car should be auctioned for charity and so Joe chose Mind, a charity close to his heart. As all the money from the auction will go to Mind, we hope you will bid generously for your chance to own a car with a remarkable history

Of course, as well as helping an important charity, you’ll also get a very tidy Passat with all the usual attributes of the VW four dour with all the mod cons for a comfortable journey. The car has been exquisitely detailed and presents extremely well, so break out your wallets and get on that bid button.

History and documentation

• Registered 8th June 2011
• Two owners from new – the first until 2024, the second Joe Achilles until present
• Stamped service book with services main dealer and specialist services as follows: July 2012 @ 7,968 miles, July 2013 @ 15,018 miles, June 2014 @ 24,211 miles, April 2015 @ 32,738 miles, May 2016 @ 40,679 miles, April 2017 @ 47,343 miles, May 2018 @ 53,946 miles, April 2019 @ 62,046 miles, April 2020 @ 69,308 miles, April 2021 @ 74,513 miles, March 2022 @ 81,97 miles, April 2024 @ 92,642 miles
• Recent work includes new rear pads and discs, new rear anti-roll bar drop links, four new injectors (genuine VW parts), new cam belt and new water pump
• Full original document pack
• Original sales invoice and period Passat brochure with the original owner’s notes on what spec to choose
• At the time of writing, LC11 YTH was showing around 96,000 miles
• In preparation for auction, the car underwent a three stage paint correction, engine bay and interior detail and leather reconnolisation at a total retail value of £2,300, courtesy of Topaz Detailing
• Collection of invoices and old MOT certificates
• Two keys
• Current MOT expires 31st March 2025 – all advisories since dealt with
• V5 present in Joe Achilles’ name
• HPI clear

Interior

• A trip computer that has the potential to read 94mpg average on a run is obviously the standout feature
• This car’s interior was already tidy when Joe picked it up from BCA car auctions – the rear seats, for example, look barely used
• Just look at that beautiful beige leather – a phenomenally pricey option back in the day that surely adds serious value on the second-hand market today
• The only real issue was the stitching on the driver’s seat had come apart, but that’s since been dealt with
• Since the Africa trip, LC11 YTH has been fully detailed in the renowned hands of Topaz Detailing
• Dealer fit upgrades include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a rear-view camera
• This is not just any Passat Bluemotion – this is an SE trim, which means that from the factory it came with luxuries like (brace yourself): electric windows, electric mirrors, climate control, central locking, and, of course, the optional beige leather seats
• Joe assures us that there are no issues and all its functions are working as they should – and let’s face it, he’s had plenty of time behind the wheel to test them out
• Complete with its original carpet mats
• No major cracks or tears on any of LC11 YTH’s interior trims

Exterior

• Some say the B7 Passat saloon is a design icon – at least we think we’ve heard someone say that in the past – and just take in its majesty today; it’s beautiful in every respect, right?
• Indeed, Walter de Silva was involved in the design of the B7 – a man who oversaw designs at Lamborghini; if you squint really hard – to the point of actually closing your eyes and imagining a Lamborghini – you might see some Sant’Agata influence in the B7
• Another interesting fact: Walter de Silva’s design for the Bugatti Veyron was rejected – so could the B7 Passat be that cast-off design? It’s highly unlikely, but you never know
• This is also arguably the best hue for a B7 Passat because who doesn’t love a champagne gold car? And even if you don’t, LC11 YTH’s being sold for a charity, so we feel confident in saying that you’re wrong: it’s gorgeous
• On a serious note, LC11 YTH is in remarkably good condition for its age and mileage – there are the odd stone chips and light marks here and there, but nothing untoward from what we can see
• Like the interior, the exterior’s been fully detailed by Topaz Detailing and now looks a ‘million dollars’ – so feel free to bid that much
• The headlight lenses were a wee bit foggy, but, as you can see, after a professional polish they look ‘as new’
• The original, arch-filling 17-inch alloys have been removed and a second-hand set of period Passat 16-inch wheels fitted instead – to maximise LC11 YTH’s incredible performance potential – as in, fuel economy performance
• All four alloys recently refurbished
• After an inspection on a ramp at Elite Garages in Horsham, Surrey, there were no major issues apparent underneath

Mechanical

• Being the mighty TDI Bluemotion Tech means a 1,598cc, 16-valve, four-cylinder, turbocharged, intercooled, diesel
• Potentially up to 105hp @ 4,400rpm and 184lf ft @ 1,500-2,500rpm on tap – so just go easy folks
• Up to an indicated 94mpg average possible from this beast of an engine
• Enthusiast drivers will surely revel in the six-speed manual gearbox
• Transverse engine, front-wheel drive for maximum traction
• The B7 Passat is, arguably, one of the most engaging four-door saloon cars of all time to drive – and many would argue that point vehemently
• Obviously, being a 1.6 TDI Bluemotion Tech running standard pipes, the exhaust note is quite something to behold
• Wheel size reduced from SE-spec 17-inch rims to 16-inch alloys
• Four new Michelin e-Primacy tyres fitted in April 2024
• New Michelin e-Primacy on the spare
• Recent work includes the all-important cam belt and water pump change, four new genuine VW injectors, rear pads and discs, rear anti-roll bar drop links
• Since the new injectors were fitted, Joe says that LC11 YTH has run faultlessly during the run to Africa, on the run from Africa back to the UK, and while he’s been using it since, so as far as he’s aware, it has no mechanical issues

Summary

Why bid? Well, for the following reasons:

Point one: joking aside, the B7 VW Passat isn’t necessarily going to go down in history as one of the greatest of all time. But anyone who loves cars will know how even the humblest or mundanest of cars can get under your skin. LC11 YTH is just one of those cars. Joe’s absolutely forged a bond with it, and if you go and watch his YouTube video of the Africa trip, you’ll realise why. It’s the ultimate plucky little thing and, at the very least, you have to respect it for that.

Point two: surely this is one of the most documented B7 Passat’s up for auction right now – to the point of being a little bit famous. So from a pure buying point of view, you know it’s coming from a reputable place and has been tended to mechanically and cosmetically by some highly credible institutions.

Point three: most importantly, this is a charity auction. Joe’s talked many times about his struggles with mental health and he’s far from alone. Mind is a great charity that supports people in all sorts of ways when they’re in need and always goes the extra mile. So please give generously – all the proceeds, including the buyer's fee, go to Mind – and in the process bag a car that also goes the extra mile.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This car is located near Milton Keynes.