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Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Used Volkswagen CC 2012 facelift: the buying guide

Family car · 2012–2017 · Petrol, Diesel

✓ 25 sources cited · updated on 13 October 2026

Extra caution
Reliability
2.5/5
Estimated monthly cost
€450/month
Indicative prices
€9,000 – €15,000

5 known faults

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo 1 of 5

Volkswagen CC 2012 facelift, front three-quarter view

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Verdict

Extra caution

Four-door coupé derived from the Passat, with a 532-litre boot. Sources mainly cite the DSG7 gearbox of the 1.8 TSI (mechatronics, clutch), the EGR valve, the turbo and dual-mass flywheel of the 2.0 TDI, and the timing chain of the 2.0 TSI; the panoramic roof and air conditioning are also mentioned. The 1.8 TSI with a manual gearbox and the 2.0 TDI with DSG6 avoid the most-cited weak point; the service history is decisive. The CC was not tested by Euro NCAP as such: ANCAP extended to it the 5-star rating of the Passat saloon.

Reliability
2.5/5
Indicative prices
€9,000 – €15,000
Monthly cost
€450
Euro NCAP
Not tested

Which version to choose

Versions to favour: 1.8 TSI 160, 2.0 TDI 140 DSG6.

  • 1.8 TSI 160

    ✓ Recommended

    Petrol · Manual · 160 hp · 7.1 L/100 km · 164 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1

    1.8 TSI petrol with 160 hp and 250 Nm, 6-speed manual gearbox, the simplest to buy as it avoids the DSG7 (Caradisiac spec sheet, 7.1 L/100 km and 164 g/km).

  • 1.8 TSI 160 DSG7

    Petrol · Automatic · 160 hp · 7.1 L/100 km · 165 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1

    Same 160 hp 1.8 TSI with 7-speed DSG gearbox (Caradisiac spec sheet, 7.1 L/100 km and 165 g/km). This is the pairing most cited for gearbox failures (see faults).

  • 2.0 TSI 210 DSG6

    Petrol · Automatic · 210 hp · 7.7 L/100 km · Crit'Air 1

    2.0 TSI petrol with 210 hp and 280 Nm with 6-speed DSG gearbox (Auto-data spec sheet), 7.7 L/100 km. The timing chain of this engine should be watched (see faults).

  • 2.0 TDI 140 DSG6

    ✓ Recommended

    Diesel · Automatic · 140 hp · 5.1 L/100 km · 134 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 2

    2.0 TDI diesel with 140 hp and 6-speed DSG gearbox (L'argus spec sheet, 2013: 5.1 L/100 km and 134 g/km). Check the EGR valve, the turbo and the dual-mass flywheel.

  • 2.0 TDI 170 DSG6

    Diesel · Automatic · 170 hp · Crit'Air 2

    2.0 TDI diesel with 170 hp and 350 Nm with 6-speed DSG gearbox (Caradisiac spec sheet). According to Fiches-auto, it carries over the weaknesses of the 140 hp with more demanding emissions control.

Market prices

€9,000 – €15,000

Indicative range: 2012 to 2017, approx. 90,000 to 190,000 km, listings from private and dealer sellers.

Collected on 12 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.

Known faults

Timing chain (2.0 TSI)

Severity 3/3 · Serious

The early versions of the 2.0 TSI EA888 had fragile chain tensioners: Vag Perf explains that the chain can slacken and skip a tooth, with a risk of piston-valve contact, and L'argus cites rattles on a cold start as the most common sign. Engine Patrol places these problems mainly on CCs from 2008 to early 2013. The European 210 hp uses the engine of the Golf VI GTI (Wikipedia): ask whether the tensioner has been replaced and listen to the cold start.

Versions
2.0 TSI 210 DSG6
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

DSG7 gearbox: mechatronics and clutch (1.8 TSI)

Severity 2/3 · Costly

Autodoc indicates that 7-speed DSG gearboxes paired with the 160 hp 1.8 TSI are particularly affected, with symptoms generally appearing between 80,000 and 120,000 km (faulty mechatronics, worn clutch, control unit). An owner cited by Fiches-auto reports mechatronics failure at 45,000 km, repaired for 2,500 €. Data from a parts blog and testimonies: test the car when cold and on a hill, and ask for the gearbox history.

Versions
1.8 TSI 160 DSG7
Onset
between 80,000 km and 120,000 km
Repair
not documented

EGR valve, turbo and dual-mass flywheel (2.0 TDI)

Severity 2/3 · Costly

Fiches-auto reports recurring problems on the Passat CC with the EGR valve, the turbo and the dual-mass flywheel on the 140 hp 2.0 TDI. Autodoc cites the same components as weak points of the 140 hp and indicates that the 170 hp carries over these weaknesses with more demanding emissions control (Fiches-auto). The testimonies do not give a precise mileage.

Versions
2.0 TDI 140 DSG6, 2.0 TDI 170 DSG6
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented

Panoramic roof: jamming and water leaks

Severity 1/3 · Annoying

Autodoc reports roofs that jam, often after 60,000 to 80,000 km. Passat CC owners describe water leaks through the panoramic roof, some of which were only fixed at a dealer; forums mention drainage channels that become blocked. Fiches-auto also mentions water leaks under the windscreen.

Versions
1.8 TSI 160, 1.8 TSI 160 DSG7, 2.0 TSI 210 DSG6, 2.0 TDI 140 DSG6, 2.0 TDI 170 DSG6
Onset
between 60,000 km and 80,000 km
Repair
not documented

Air conditioning losing efficiency

Severity 1/3 · Annoying

Autodoc reports air conditioning systems losing their cooling capacity, generally between 70,000 and 100,000 km. A Passat CC owner describes a failed air conditioning system and its diagnosis on a forum.

Versions
1.8 TSI 160, 1.8 TSI 160 DSG7, 2.0 TSI 210 DSG6, 2.0 TDI 140 DSG6, 2.0 TDI 170 DSG6
Onset
between 70,000 km and 100,000 km
Repair
not documented

All faults by version and mileage →

Manufacturer recalls

See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Volkswagen CC”). 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

Monthly cost by item
Fuel or electricity€175
Insurance€118
Maintenance€37
Depreciation€120
Total per month€450

⚠ Estimates to treat with caution

  • NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
  • Insurance: brand average, as no average is published for this model.
  • Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
  • Maintenance: budget of a closely related model.
  • 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)€175

1.8 TSI 160 version: combined consumption of 7.1 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.

7.1 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €175

Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.

Insurance€118

Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.

Maintenance€37

Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.

Depreciation€120

Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.

Inspection checklist

Things to check

  • 1.8 TSI DSG7: test when cold, on a hill and in slow traffic to detect jerking, slipping or hesitation, and ask for the gearbox and clutch oil change invoices.
  • 2.0 TSI: listen to the cold start (chain rattles) and ask whether the tensioner has been replaced.
  • 2.0 TDI: read the fault codes (EGR valve, particulate filter) and check for vibrations or noises from the dual-mass flywheel and the turbo.
  • Panoramic roof: open and close it, and look for traces of water in the headliner, near the mirrors and under the windscreen.
  • Air conditioning: check that the air actually becomes cold and ask for the servicing invoices.
  • Check the service book and have the serial number checked at a Volkswagen dealer to find out about any outstanding recalls.

Questions to ask the seller

  • Has the DSG gearbox been serviced? Have the mechatronics or the clutch been replaced?
  • For the 2.0 TSI: has the chain tensioner been changed, and at what mileage?
  • Have the panoramic roof, the air conditioning or the EGR valve already been repaired?

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.

See OBD2 scanners on Amazon → (new tab)Partner link

Electric or hybrid equivalent

No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost

Alternatives

Photo: Tokumeigakarinoaoshima, CC BY-SA 4.0

Volkswagen Passat

B8 · 2014–2023

Buy with care
Price
€10,000 – €24,000
Reliability
3/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

Photo: KGC626, CC BY-SA 4.0

Volkswagen Arteon

I · 2017–2023

Good choice, check first
Price
€19,700 – €28,700
Reliability
4/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

Photo: Makizox, CC BY-SA 4.0

Ford Mondeo

IV · 2014–2022

Good choice, check first
Price
€8,000 – €15,200
Reliability
4/5
Fuel types
Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid

Photo: Jakub "Flyz1" Maciejewski, CC BY-SA 4.0

Renault Talisman

I · 2015–2022

Buy with care
Price
€10,200 – €19,000
Reliability
3/5
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 CC 2012 facelift (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 VW CC?

532 litres, according to the Caradisiac and La Revue Automobile spec sheets.

Is the VW CC a 4- or 5-seater?

The three-seat rear bench is standard, but La Tribune Auto reports an option with two sport seats at the rear, and Le Guide de l'Auto considers the centre seat uncomfortable.

Which engine should I choose on a used VW CC?

Sources mainly cite problems with the 1.8 TSI DSG7, the 2.0 TSI chain, and the EGR valve, turbo and dual-mass flywheel of the 2.0 TDI. A well-maintained 1.8 TSI with a manual gearbox or a 2.0 TDI with DSG6 limits the most-cited risks, without eliminating them.

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