Should you buy a used Volkswagen Vento?

Sedans have long been synonymous with comfort, convenience and luxury, making the aspirational car to own for many Indians. The perfect balance of space, luxury, features, and price is often found in the midsize sedan segment, where the Honda City continues to set the standard. Taking the challenge to the city is the Volkswagen Vento, a midsize sedan that has become a veteran offering in the market. While buying a new VW Vento in 2021 may not seem too lucrative considering its age in the market, a used Vento could be a more attractive consideration. The question then, is should you buy a used Volkswagen Vento in 2021?

Why you should consider the Volkswagen Vento

As a midsize sedan, the VW Vento brings a host of premium features and durable build quality to make it a capable sedan to consider. As a midsize sedan in 2021, there are a number of compelling reasons to buy a pre-owned Vento as your next car this year.

Volkswagen’s Capable Engines

First things first, one thing that makes a pre-owned Volkswagen Vento a vehicle worth buying are its power-packed, diverse and efficient engine choices. In its initial years, the Vento was offered with a 1.6 litre MPI Petrol engine mated to a 5-speed manual with an option 6-speed automatic gearbox. The Diesel unit was a 1.6 litre TDI diesel engine mated only to a 5-speed manual. Later in 2013, the Vento was changed to a 1.5 litre TDI diesel engine with an optional 6-speed automatic along with a 5-speed manual.

In 2015, the 1.2 litre TSI turbo mated to a 7-speed DSG gearbox returning 18.19 kmpl of mileage was added to the range. The diesel offering was taken care of by a 1.5 litre four cylinder TDI engine with both a 5 speed manual and 7 speed DSG transmissions. The efficiency on this diesel burner was as high as 20.64 kmpl for manual and 21.50 kmpl for the DSG unit. Fast forward to 2020, the Vento changed under the BS6 norms and is now offered with only a 1.0-litre turbo-petrol TSI, offered with a 6-speed manual and a 6-speed AT gearbox. 

Big on Space

The Vento was one of India’s most promising midsize sedans when it was initially launched. Facing competition from the likes of Honda City, Hyundai Verna and Maruti Suzuki SX4, one thing that made the Vento better was its in cabin space. With a wheelbase of 2552 mm, the Vento was more spacious than the City, Verna as well as the SX4. The larger wheelbase of the Vento also gave it comfortable seating and maximum comfort for passengers both at the front as well as the rear, making the pre-owned Vento a superb pick for pre-owned sedan buyers. In fact, as a chauffeur driven vehicle, the Vento is still better than many other compact sedans at the same price.

Evergreen Looks

Overall the VW Vento sported a clean swept back headlamp design with halogen bulbs that looked stylish and modern. On either side of the headlamps was the horizontal grille that got two spoke chrome garnish dominated by a large Volkswagen badge at the centre. The bonnet got some muscle creases that ran from the edge of the grille and integrated into the A-pillars. 

From the side, the Vento did a superb job in looking like the Polo’s sedan cousin with an evidently raised suspension and increased ground clearance of 168mm. The chunky seven spoke alloy wheels looked dapper but the ORVMS sadly missed out on indicators. The rear too looks balanced, with a large body colored bumper and a minimalistic tail lamp design. In terms of overall looks, the rear complements the overall German theme of the vehicle and gives the vehicle a holistically elegant approach.

Durable Build Quality

Another aspect that makes the Volkswagen Vento a truly capable sedan is its durable build quality. One of the very few brands that are known to build machines that last long, Volkswagen has made the Vento with quality in mind. The 2015 facelift version of the Vento is based on the Volkswagen Group’s A05 (PQ25) platform that uses high tensile steel for the chassis and raised and sturdy suspensions that offer durability as well as structural integrity.

Impeccable Safety

One of the best things about owning a Volkswagen is its commitment to safety. In fact Volkswagen is one of the very few brands that offer up-to 6 airbags and ample safety features even on hatchbacks such as the Polo. This means that if you happen to own any variant of the VW Vento (2015 and onwards), you will have safety standards that are found on brand-new retail sedans today. With that said, even lower variant pre-owned models come with dual airbags, ABS with EBD, immobilizer, ISOFIX and much more.

Smart Features 

Another great thing about the veteran Volkswagen Vento is the fact that it comes with some great features that can make your pre-owned car buying experience absolutely amazing. Among many of Vento’s value for money features, the smoked double barrel headlamps, segment first rear seat adjustment of the front seats, 16 inch alloys, and automatic AC are some definitely worth mentioning.

How old should your pre-owned Volkswagen Vento be?

While the Vento’s cousin, the Skoda Rapid is more popular in the used car market, finding a used VW Vento has never been quite a difficult task. However, with all kinds of Volkswagen Vento models to choose from, it is important to know which model year you should seek and which ones you should avoid when considering a used VW Vento.

It is recommended that you avoid variants that were manufactured from 2010 to 2013 not only because it would be nearing its 10 year lifeline for the diesel variants, but also owing to the fact that the 2013 onwards update to the Vento brought in the balanced 1.5 litre TDI diesel unit. The ideal used VW Vento to buy are the models from 2015 and onwards. The 2015 VW Vento features the updated design as well as powertrain to deliver a better value.

What to look out for when you buy a Volkswagen Vento?

The Volkswagen Vento has been present in India for more than 10 years. This long presence usually also means that the used car market becomes an easy dumping ground for faulty and problematic vehicles. Thus, buying a pre-owned Volkswagen Vento is a task that requires attention to detail and an awareness of the vehicle’s common problems and shortcomings. Make sure you check for these commonly reported problems before buying a used VW Vento.

Problems with DSG Auto Transmission

One of the most pressing problems affecting the Volkswagen Vento is a serious concern with the automatic transmission unit of the vehicle. As reported by several owners, the automatic transmission unit onboard the Vento DSG/6-speed Automatic (specifically the 2013 Onwards) models, tend to develops problems that show themselves through unwanted jerks, cranking sounds, and a mismanaged gear ratio. Being a highly expensive repair and/or replacement, it is crucial for you to thoroughly diagnose the same during your initial test drive. Therefore make sure you shift the automatic pre-owned Vento you are eyeing to all gears possible and that too several times. Taking an experienced mechanic along can also help.

Problems with Fuel System

With turbocharged vehicles becoming quite the trend, everyone wants to get their hand on a turbo car. While there is no doubt that the TDI units of the Vento are highly capable, they are also associated with a common problem that haunts many Vento owners. Specifically for the Vento TDI, there have been several reports of leaks that could occur from the sending unit, fuel pump, high-pressure lift pump, or in the fuel lines themselves. Thus, we would advise taking a highly trained mechanic along and diagnose any issue that can arise from a faulty fuel system.

Service Record

Another thing to do whenever you choose to buy a pre-owned Volkswagen Vento is to make sure you go through the service history of the vehicle and look for regular services of highly used components such as air filter, spark plug and throttle body.

How much should a pre-owned Vento cost?

Price is a crucial factor that decides which vehicle makes its way to your garage. Pre-owned Volkswagen Vento cars are particularly sought after cars due to their durable build quality and reliable performance. In terms of pricing, a used VW Vento can be found for an average price of as low as ₹3 Lakhs (2010-2013), ₹6.5 Lakhs (2013-2015) and ₹7.5-9 Lakhs (2015 to 2019) variants depending upon the trim and condition.

Is the Volkswagen Vento worth buying in 2021?

For potential buyers considering a midsize sedan in 2021, a pre-owned Volkswagen Vento is a very capable and sensible choice. Depending on your needs, you can find the perfect balance of features and performance in the Volkswagen Vento, making it a capable sedan for 2021.

For those considering a compact sedan, a used Volkswagen Vento offers more space, better performance, and better build quality for a similar price. This value proposition makes it difficult to ignore the Volkswagen Vento when looking to spend up to ₹9 lakhs for a car in 2021.

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FAQ about Volkswagen Vento

Is a used Volkswagen Vento worth buying?

A used Volkswagen Vento offers the perfect balance between performance, space, and features at a very accessible and affordable price.

Which is the best Volkswagen Vento variant?

The Volkswagen Vento Highline variant is the best variant to consider when buying a pre-owned Vento.

What engines are available for used Volkswagen Vento?

Volkswagen Vento cars from 2020 onwards are equipped with only a 1.0-litre TSI engine. 2015-2019 Volkswagen Vento models are available with a 1.2-litre TSI petrol, 1.6-litre MPI petrol, and a 1.5-litre TDI diesel engine.

What is the maintenance cost of Volkswagen Vento?

The average yearly maintenance cost of a Volkswagen Vento is ₹8000-10,000.

Which is better: petrol Volkswagen Vento or diesel Volkswagen Vento?

The 1.5-litre diesel Volkswagen Vento offers better mileage and is ideally suited for long distance driving. The 1.2-litre and 1.0-litre TSI petrol engines are suited for thrilling city driving where responsive is needed.

 

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