Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: KGC626, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Large, very well-protected saloon (5 Euro NCAP stars in 2017) with a 563-litre boot. Testimonies mainly report problems with the DSG gearbox (mechatronics, safety mode); sources on reliability remain limited, hence the value of a complete service history and a fault-code check before buying.
- Reliability
- 4.0/5
- Indicative prices
- €19,700 – €28,700
- Monthly cost
- €529
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 1.5 TSI 150 DSG, 2.0 TDI 150 DSG.
1.5 TSI 150 DSG
✓ RecommendedPetrol · Automatic · 150 hp · 6.7 L/100 km · 151 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
Entry-level petrol, dual-clutch DSG gearbox. Fiches-auto links this engine to injection and water pump problems.
Engine: Volkswagen 1.5 TSI / eTSI (EA211 evo)
Verdict on this engine: Excellent choice
2.0 TSI 190 DSG
Petrol · Automatic · 190 hp · Crit'Air 1
2.0 TSI with 190 hp and 320 Nm, 7-speed DSG gearbox (Fiches-auto, Autotijd).
2.0 TDI 150 DSG
✓ RecommendedDiesel · Automatic · 150 hp · Crit'Air 2
Entry-level diesel, offered with a manual or DSG7 gearbox at launch (L'argus). One owner reports a safety mode on the DSG7 gearbox.
Engine: Volkswagen 2.0 TDI (EA288 and EA288 evo)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
1.4 eHybrid 218 DSG
Hybrid · Automatic · 218 hp · Crit'Air 1
Plug-in hybrid: 1.4 TSI with 156 hp and an electric motor of 115 hp, 13 kWh battery (10.4 kWh usable), 54 to 62 km of electric range (WLTP, depending on the source). Boot reduced to 445 litres.
Market prices
€19,700 – €28,700
Indicative range: 2017 to 2023, yearly medians of 155 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
DSG gearbox: jerking, mechatronics, safety mode
Severity 2/3 · CostlyFiches-auto reports testimonies of DSG gearboxes with fault messages, jerking or safety mode. An owner of a 2018 2.0 TDI 150 DSG7 describes a gearbox that went into safety mode (no 2nd, 4th or 6th gear, and no reverse), the mechatronics having been replaced under warranty according to one comment. Au7o also cites mechatronics failures on the 7-speed DSG and jerky changes at low speed, but its data comes mainly from owner reviews.
- Versions
- 1.5 TSI 150 DSG, 2.0 TSI 190 DSG, 2.0 TDI 150 DSG
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Water pump and coolant leak
Severity 2/3 · CostlyFiches-auto links the 1.5 TSI 150 hp to water pump problems. Au7o reports on the 2.0 TSI (EA888) an electric water pump failing prematurely, with a coolant leak, a risk of overheating and engine damage; these data come from owner reviews, mainly from English-speaking countries.
- Versions
- 1.5 TSI 150 DSG, 2.0 TSI 190 DSG
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Brake servo rod incorrectly fitted (2019 US recall)
Manufacturer recallIn the United States, a recall concerns 2019 Arteons whose brake servo rod may have been incorrectly installed, which can increase the braking effort or disconnect the rod, with a risk of accident. It covers vehicles built in Emden between 16 May and 4 July 2019. Check with the serial number whether a French vehicle is affected.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- 1.5 TSI 150 DSG, 2.0 TSI 190 DSG, 2.0 TDI 150 DSG
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Volkswagen Arteon”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €165 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €61 |
| Maintenance | €39 |
| Depreciation | €264 |
| Total per month | €529 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- Insurance: average for a closely related model (other generation or same platform).
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€165
1.5 TSI 150 DSG version: combined consumption of 6.7 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
6.7 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €165
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
Consumption: technical data for the version (sources at the bottom of the guide).
- Insurance€61
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€39
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€264
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Volkswagen Arteon I — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Try the DSG gearbox when cold and at low speed: jerking, hesitation or a switch to safety mode must be ruled out.
- Have the fault codes read and ask for any work carried out on the gearbox mechatronics.
- Check that there is no leak or drop in coolant level (water pump) on the petrol versions.
- Check with the serial number, at a Volkswagen dealer, which recalls have been carried out (including the brake servo).
- Test the driver assistance systems (adaptive cruise control, camera, automatic emergency braking) and the infotainment.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the DSG gearbox already been repaired (mechatronics) or its oil changed? Do you have the invoices?
- Have the manufacturer's recalls been carried out, and do you have the proof?
- Has the coolant or oil level needed topping up?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Jakub "Flyz1" Maciejewski, CC BY-SA 4.0
Renault Talisman
I · 2015–2022
- Price
- €10,200 – €19,000
- Reliability
- 3/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Tiguan
II · 2016–2024
- Price
- €16,000 – €36,000
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Peugeot 5008
II · 2017–2024
- Price
- €13,100 – €27,000
- Reliability
- 2/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Volkswagen Arteon I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the boot capacity of the Arteon?
563 litres in the saloon according to the technical spec sheets. The plug-in hybrid version announces 445 to 1,427 litres (Autotijd).
Is the Arteon rated well for safety?
Yes: 5 Euro NCAP stars in 2017, with 96% for adult occupant protection, 85% for children, 85% for pedestrians and 82% for driver assistance systems (The Car Expert).
What is the electric range of the Arteon eHybrid?
Between 54 and 62 km on the WLTP cycle depending on the source (Clubic, Autotijd), with a 13 kWh gross battery (10.4 kWh usable).
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