2011/2012 2.0 TDI Jetta or Passat

[Slackman99]

Looking at a car for putting a decent number of motorway miles on.

Reliable and frugal are key with good motorway manners.

I've seen a 2011 Jetta with the 2.0 TDI and 52k on the clock. Also seen a 2012 Passat 2.0 TDI Bluemotion with 62k on the clock. Both manual, both full service history, both look in decent nick for 8/9 year old cars.

What's the general concensus? Should see 50+mpg out of both (I would expect) but are they generally reliable engines and are there common problems with either?

Both just under the £6k mark

Edited by Slackman99 on Sunday 23 August 19:59

[anonymous-user]

Is the 2011 a new shape Jetta ?

I had an ‘09 Jetta company car (1.9, mark 5) and did 100k miles with the only issue being a broken door lock. The Passat of that time was not supposed to be very reliable at all.

[ZX10R NIN]

They're both decent options & should serve you well but given the choice I'd go looking for a Mondeo Titanium X:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202003128...

Citroen DS5 DStyle

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008062...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007111...

508 Allure

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008162...

All are just as reliable as the VW's & imo are better places to while away the miles with the DS5 being the quietest when it comes to NVH.

[Slackman99]

Thanks for the suggestions. Will have a look

[mercedeslimos]

I've had over 10 Passats in a row up until the PD-engined B6s. Bought a facelift Mondeo Titanium this time. Was going to buy an X but this came up reaonably local and 2k cheaper than an X. The 2.0HDi Peugeot engine is a peach, and reliable and cheap and easy to fix, unlike many of the CR units in the B7 Passat, sadly.