Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Damian B Oh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
Grande berline de luxe au coffre de 500 litres. Les retours publiés sont rares : seuls deux sites documentent des problèmes, surtout la suspension pneumatique (pièces onéreuses) et l'usure de la suspension et des freins. Faites contrôler la suspension avant achat.
- Reliability
- 4.0/5
- Price
- Unknown
- Euro NCAP
- Rating not found
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: 3.0 V6 TDI 225.
3.0 V6 TDI 225
✓ RecommendedDiesel · Automatic · 225 hp · 9.6 L/100 km · 259 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 4
V6 diesel de 225 ch avec boîte Tiptronic, 9,6 l/100 km mixte (L'argus), 5 places.
Engine: Audi / Volkswagen 3.0 V6 TDI
Verdict on this engine: Extra caution
3.0 V6 TDI 240 FAP
Diesel · Automatic · 240 hp · 9.0 L/100 km · 239 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 4
V6 diesel de 240 ch avec filtre à particules et boîte Tiptronic, 9,0 l/100 km mixte (L'argus).
Engine: Audi / Volkswagen 3.0 V6 TDI
Verdict on this engine: Extra caution
Market prices
Price unknown: not enough online listings for a reliable estimate. Compare several listings before negotiating.
Importing this model
Prices abroad
Yearly medians of each country's listings (AutoScout24, in euros; United Kingdom: cinch dealer, in pounds), over years with at least 3 listings. Useful to judge an import (add transport, inspection and registration).
| Country | Range | Median | Gap vs France | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | €3,300 – €19,500 (2004 to 2016) | €9,095 | — | 150 |
Median gap shown only when the country's estimate covers the same years as the French one. Add transport, roadworthiness test and registration.
You are importing the car to:
Import penalty (malus) in France
- Emissions of the versions in this guide: 239 to 259 g CO₂/km (check the value on the car's registration certificate).
- The CO₂ malus follows the scale of the year the vehicle was first registered, in France or abroad (WLTP or NEDC scale depending on its registration certificate).
- For an imported used car, it is reduced by a flat-rate discount based on its age in months (scheme in force since 1 March 2025). The weight malus also applies on first registration in France.
- The malus is zero for a car more than fifteen years old or first registered before 1 January 2015.
Source: BOFiP (French tax doctrine), CO₂ and weight malus · CO2 malus and weight malus: imported used car in France
Paperwork and procedures
- Importing a used car from another EU country: the step-by-step process
- Importing a car from an EU country: all the documents to gather
- Carte grise for an imported car: cost, taxes and the official simulator
- CO2 malus and weight malus: imported used car in France
- Importing a used car from outside the European Union: the steps
- Buying a used car in Germany and bringing it back to France
Importing and registering in Belgium: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing and registering in Switzerland: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing a car into Switzerland: customs, tax and registration
Importing and registering in Luxembourg: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Importing and registering in the United Kingdom: paperwork and procedures
The French malus does not apply: registration taxes, roadworthiness test and documents depend on the country. Our guide details them, with official sources.
Check an imported car's history
HistoVec only covers the vehicle's life in France. For a car coming from abroad, a VIN-based report helps spot inconsistent mileage or a reported accident.
Check the car's history: 20% off → (new tab)Partner link
Known faults
Note: some faults below are cited by a single source only. They are still to be confirmed and the reliability score is only indicative.
Suspension pneumatique
Severity 2/3 · CostlySur les exemplaires d'avant 2006, des propriétaires rapportent des fuites d'air, un compresseur fatigué et un affaissement la nuit ; getcarwise liste une défaillance du système. Les pièces sont onéreuses et la dépose demande une main-d'oeuvre spécialisée.
- Versions
- 3.0 V6 TDI 225, 3.0 V6 TDI 240 FAP
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Usure des éléments de suspension
Severity 2/3 · CostlyGetcarwise signale une usure excessive de composants de suspension, réparation chiffrée de 400 à 800 livres chez un garage indépendant. Source unique, à confirmer.
Single source so far: to be confirmed.
- Versions
- 3.0 V6 TDI 225, 3.0 V6 TDI 240 FAP
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Usure prématurée des disques de frein
Severity 1/3 · AnnoyingGetcarwise relève une usure prématurée et un affaiblissement des disques de frein. Source unique, à confirmer.
Single source so far: to be confirmed.
- Versions
- 3.0 V6 TDI 225, 3.0 V6 TDI 240 FAP
- 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 Phaeton”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Recalls published in France (RappelConso)
- 20 November 2020 — L’adhérence du couvercle en verre sur le toit coulissant peut être insuffisante en raison de la contamination au cours du processus de fabrication. Par conséquent, le couvercle en verre peut se détacher complètement pendant que le véhicule est en mouvement, ce qui pose un risque pour la circulation suivante. Official notice
Inspection checklist
Volkswagen Phaeton I — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Faire fonctionner la suspension pneumatique : montée/descente, affaissement après une nuit à l'arrêt.
- Écouter le compresseur de suspension (fonctionnement trop fréquent ou bruyant).
- Contrôler l'état et l'épaisseur des disques et plaquettes de frein.
- Exiger le carnet d'entretien complet et les factures de suspension.
- Budgéter l'entretien : pièces et main-d'oeuvre onéreuses.
Questions to ask the seller
- La suspension pneumatique (coussins, compresseur) a-t-elle été remplacée ?
- Quand les disques et plaquettes ont-ils été changés ?
- Pouvez-vous présenter l'historique d'entretien complet ?
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: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0
Volkswagen Passat
B6 · 2005–2010
- Reliability
- 2.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Thomas doerfer, CC BY 3.0
Volkswagen Passat
B7 · 2010–2014
- Price
- €6,990 – €10,945
- Reliability
- 2.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: KGC626, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Arteon
I · 2017–2023
- Price
- €19,900 – €30,000
- Reliability
- 4/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen CC
2012 facelift · 2012–2017
- Price
- €9,000 – €15,000
- Reliability
- 2.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel
Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Jaguar XF
I (X250) · 2008–2015
- Price
- €8,200 – €11,900
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- 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 Phaeton 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
La Volkswagen Phaeton est-elle fiable ?
Peu de retours sont publiés. Les deux sources trouvées pointent la suspension pneumatique, onéreuse à réparer, et l'usure de la suspension et des freins.
Quel est le coffre de la Phaeton ?
500 litres, 5 places, selon les fiches techniques L'argus.
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