Highlights
- Rare factory fitted VR5 engine
- One registered keeper car
- Presents brilliantly
- Exceptionally low mileage under 60k
- Recent MOT with no advisories
The Appeal
Marvellous build quality, a spacious interior and sleek and simple styling, these are things one comes to expect from a B5 era Volkswagen Passat. What perhaps comes as more of a surprise is a glorious 2.3 litre VR5 engine nestled under the bonnet. An incredibly rare factory option, Volkswagen offered this absolute gem of an engine in the Passat for those who fancied their understated and somewhat predictable saloon car with a hidden performance flair.
Only a handful of VR5 Passats were ever ordered in the UK, making these subtle sleepers a rare and unusual sight on the roads today. The example we see here however, really takes the cake on the rarity front. A genuine one former registered keeper car, this very low mileage well maintained 1999 model may be like no other left in the world today and as such presents a one of a kind opportunity for interested parties.
The History and Paperwork
- Delivery date 12/03/1999
- Taken new as inventory for a London based VW dealer sold to a private individual later that year
- Accompanied by factory VW Passat book pack
- Service book with regular stamped services
- Unusual back story
- Volkswagen spec sheet
- MOT valid with no advisories until April 2023
The car was enjoyed by just one meticulous keeper for its first 9 years then taken into the trade in px. That dealership later went into bankruptcy and the Passat, along with a collection of other VW's & Audi's were kept in secure storage until 2020 where the collection were eventually sold to another trader.
The car stayed in the custody of this trader and as such has yet to be registered to another private individual and therefore is a genuine one registered keeper car.
The car is HPI clear and registered into the trade so the lucky new custodian will be able to tax the car and apply for the V5 via a post office using a V62 form along with a payment of £25.
The car stayed in the custody of this trader and as such has yet to be registered to another private individual and therefore is a genuine one registered keeper car.
The car is HPI clear and registered into the trade so the lucky new custodian will be able to tax the car and apply for the V5 via a post office using a V62 form along with a payment of £25.
The Interior
- High specification leather interior
- Presents wonderfully
- Quality wood trim
Awash with impeccable high quality leather, this fine example of a Passat presents wonderfully from an interior perspective and has worn its miles incredibly well. The leather found draped over the sculpted seats, dashboard and door panels is of a marvellous standard, still rich in its dark black hue with very minimal signs of wear and ageing.
Being such a high specification car, we find much of the cabin well detailed with excellent wood finish trim alongside a horde of luxury amenities and mod cons all of which are reported to function well.
Looking up we find a clean and neat roof liner, within which sits the electronically operated tilt and slide sunroof which still opens, closes and holds its various positions correctly.
At the rear one is presented with a simple cavernous boot. With clean and simple carpeting it presents well and still holds a factory breakdown triangle, spare wheel and tool set.
The Passat is undeniably a lovely place to be.
The Exterior
- Great 16” factory alloys
- Quality silver paintwork
- Excellent understated styling
To those not in the know, the VR5 is a rather unassuming thing from the outside, aside from some subtle badging at the rear, there really isn't much in the way of styling cues to distinguish this from the more standard Passat. No bad thing of course as the B5 era Passat is a very handsome car indeed, and still fits well in a lineup of modern traffic despite standing at over twenty years old.
It's the Passat’s modest and unassuming nature which actually makes it so appealing. Whilst still sporting a wonderful 5 cylinder powerhouse capable of putting on a good show at the lights or on a rewarding B-Road, the car isn’t brash and instead remains suave and classy.
T876 PGP, presents well aesthetically, draped in excellent silver paintwork which is of a brilliant quality. Whilst having been preserved well there are some blemishes and signs of age highlighting themselves on the bodywork, most notably a scratch along the rear driver's side door.
A wonderful compliment to the Passat’s elegant body lines come in the form of four impeccable 16” factory fitted alloy wheels. These are of a brilliant standard and really do work well to set the car off from an aesthetic perspective.
The seller had some recommissioning work done prior to having its MOT and has been driven approximately 50 miles since then to keep the mileage low.
The seller had some recommissioning work done prior to having its MOT and has been driven approximately 50 miles since then to keep the mileage low.
The Mechanics
- Brilliant 2.3 litre VR5 engine
- Excellent mechanical order
- Low mileage, well maintained example
V8s, V10s and V12s are all well and good, but sometimes you really can’t beat a 5 cylinder engine.
A marvellous blend of both performance, economy and refinement, the excellent 2.3 litre VR5 shoehorned under the bonnet of the Passat really was a marvel of engineering. Production V5 engines are somewhat few and far between but unquestionably the most successful of them all was this VW outfit.
The engine found in this particular example is of a great standard and presents as such. In impeccably clean condition, the VR5 has been rigorously maintained to an incredibly high standard throughout its lifetime and thus it comes as no surprise to report that the car fires into life almost immediately, and passed its most recent MOT with no advisories.
On the road the Passat is a very capable car, doing all the things the more standard variants do so well in terms of comfort and refinement, but with an added chunk of power and dynamic ability for good measure. This is one that lends itself well to usage as a daily driver or for regular long distance driving. It is reported to drive extremely well, the gear change being smooth, it's everything you would expect from a VR5 with such low mileage.
Summary
A unique automobile indeed, this VR5 would be something of a rarity simply because of its engine and low mileage, but a genuine one registered keeper car, that really takes things up a notch.
For one who wants an unusual yet subtle daily driver or a truly special Volkswagen, this Passat presents an excellent opportunity and one that may never come again.
High specification, low mileage and well maintained, it really does tick all of the important boxes.
Notice to bidders
Notice to bidders
All items in this listing are sold on an “As Is - Where Is” basis. Photos and listing descriptions should be used as a guide only. Although every effort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information in this listing and Car & Classic performs a level of due diligence prior to the auction, we do not warrant the accuracy of the listings. The seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. Inspection is highly recommended prior to bidding. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion.
Please take care when making a bid as once your bid is placed, it cannot be withdrawn and will not be cancelled. If you are unsure do not bid as no refunds will be given.
A nonrefundable buyer deposit is applied to all items won at auction. Please see our FAQs and T&Cs for further details.
All bidding is subject to our T&Cs. By registering and bidding you agree to the terms. Please ensure you clearly read them alongside the special terms and conditions contained in this listing.
