$23K is a little high for a 2003 without leather. The 1.8T engines carry a 8 year unlimited mileage warranty againist Oil Sludge. However you maust have all service records showing that oil changed were performed according to the schedule. Oil sludge was caused by infrequent oil changes and made worst by the oil not meeting VW specs for the turbos. Mind you until the oil sluge issue, many dealers were using 10W30 oil which was not what the Passat manual stated. The turbo produces about 5 times the heat of a regular engine and in so breakes down 10w30 oils quicker causing it to form a sludge around the moving parts of the engine. In time the engine will seize as the oil sludge hardens to a thick mass. Others howvever who knew and read their manual disregarded their dealers oil reccomendation and used the expensive 5W40 oil or brought their own. If your car is a CPO it should come with all records.
Make sure and get the owner's manual for the car. VWs and in fact all German cars require that you read the manual to operate the car and its many features. The Passat has a speed senestive radio that increases volume with relation to the car's speed.
The center dash cluster screen displays, the mpg, outside temp, distance driven, miles to empty, averaage mpg and consumption and then offers all this info into 2 caterogies, overall trip and single trip. It also tells you if the brake ie engaged, what door is open etc. The toggle switch on the indicator stalk moves up the menu while the little switch on the bottom of the stalk gives you single trip (1) and overall trip (2) info. Pressing it down for 5 sec erasses and resets it.
And the gutters do fly up at times like the Turely Nolen cars. There is a TSB on it at the dealers or you can use either glue or double sided tape to fix it yourself.
The only major issues were the coil packs which were replaced under warranty, get the VIN and call VWoA and they can tell you if it was performed. There is no charge if it was not regardless of mileage. Only 2001.5 to some 2003s were efected. An extended warranty would also help too as some had some control arm and axcel issues. I had both my front axcles reapleced under warranty. Also in some of the wagons the clear bumper film is know to peel up, mine is doing it now and will be replaced for the 3rd time under warranty. Not all do it, I saw a 1999 and it was perfect.
make sure that you get 2 spare tire lock down knobs in the trunk. One is for the steel spare and the other for the alloy. You'll find it attached in the CD changer/ Hazzard compartment. You should also get 3 keys, 2 remotes and 1 valet key, make sure all are working or else you'll have to pay to get them programed by the VW dealer. Its $100 to replace them and its a hassel.
At 45,000 miles the Passat's most expensive maintainance service should have been performed at 40,000, ask for doucumantation. Visit vw.com
http://www.vw.com/SP/ServiceInfoBrochures.html
http://www.vw.com/SP/SchedMaint?dis...SAT&year=2002&engine=1.8T&odometer=40000&units=MILES&submit=Display+Maintenance
Above shows what should have been done, fill in info for the 45,000 service.
Have fun and if you get the wagon/variant it be unlike any other car you have ever driven. There are also many accessories for it too froma rear sunshade and a rear tailgate chrome strip. I've got both. Happy motoring!
