Used Volkswagen CC review and buying guide (2012 to 2017): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Volkswagen CC should you buy?

A 1.8 TSI petrol's the CC to aim for, because it's economical and it stays clear of the diesel's emissions fix troubles. There's only one CC (on sale from 2012 to 2017), so you're choosing an engine, a gearbox and a condition rather than a generation. Whichever engine you pick, a manual built up to 2015 carries the model's biggest known risk: the clutch and its dual mass flywheel giving out early.

The 2.0 TDI diesels with the EA189 engine were recalled for the emissions software fix, and that's where the complaints bunch up. Five owners reported trouble after the work, from flat throttle response and worse economy to a DSG holding gears too long, and there's a known fault with the EGR valve failing and the DPF blocking between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. If you want a diesel, buy one with receipts for that work.

Don't assume a 2016 or 2017 car escapes trouble just because it's newer. One 2016 2.0 TDI manual needed a new clutch and flywheel at 17,500 miles, and a 2016 1.8 TSI DSG developed a hard, knocking ride once it had passed 3,500 miles, so judge the car in front of you on the drive rather than on its age.

Which CC engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

Manual CCs built up to 2015 need the most care, because the clutch and its dual mass flywheel fail repeatedly, usually between 25,000 and 50,000 miles, and the failure can damage the gearbox casing. The slave cylinder's a second known failure on the same cars at 40,000 to 50,000 miles, and it often goes at the same time as the clutch and flywheel. One owner's 60,300 mile car had a broken clutch spring wear a groove into the transmission.

The DSG automatic sidesteps those manual clutch faults, but it's jerky at crawling speed, which makes reversing awkward when the view over your shoulder is already poor. There's no known fault against the DSG on the CC, though that isn't the same as proof it's trouble free, so try it in a car park as well as on the road.

The 2.0 TDI (EA189) is the engine to approach with most caution. After its emissions software fix, the EGR valve can fail and the DPF can block, usually between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, bringing an engine management light, a flashing glow plug light and limp mode. One owner's emissions light came on within 3 miles of collecting the car after the fix, and the dealer blamed a turbo valve seizing up with carbon.

The 1.8 TSI petrol's economical and doesn't share the diesel's emissions problems, which is why it's the pick. The 2.0 TSI has a single owner report against it: a 2014 GT manual whose engine warning light came on at 27,000 miles needed a new intake manifold, so ask whether that job's been done on a 2.0 TSI you're looking at.

What should you check when viewing a used CC?

On a manual, pull away gently in first and feel for judder or vibration, then listen at idle for a rattle from the gearbox area, both symptoms of the clutch and flywheel fault. A pedal that feels spongy or sticks to the floor, or gears that won't engage cleanly, point to the slave cylinder. Ask for receipts showing the clutch, flywheel and slave cylinder have been replaced on any manual past 25,000 miles.

On a 2.0 TDI, ask for proof the emissions recall was done and for any bills covering EGR valve or DPF work since. There shouldn't be an engine management or flashing glow plug light, and on the drive it should pull cleanly from low revs without dropping into limp mode, change up at sensible revs if it's a DSG, and make no rattle from the engine bay.

Open and shut the boot a few times with the tail lights on and check the reversing light stays off: one 2012 car's wiring harness was strained by the boot lid until it lit up. Look at the rear tyres for stepped, uneven wear, which one 2012 2.0 TDI had, check the air conditioning blows cold, and look under the gearbox for an oil weep.

On any CC built up to 2015, ask for proof the driver's airbag was replaced under recall, because damp and air can get into its inflator over time and stop it working properly in a crash. A car that spent years in a hot, humid country before coming here falls under an urgent instruction not to be driven until that airbag's changed, so check where it lived too.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What does a used Volkswagen CC cost to run?

What do CC owners like about them?

It's a good-looking four-door coupe, so you get a shape that stands apart from an ordinary family saloon while keeping rear doors for your passengers. The interior's a good place to spend time too, which matters on a car that's bought as much for how it feels to sit in as for how it looks.

The drive's refined rather than sporty, and that's the point of it: it's a comfortable, composed way to cover distance. There's a decent spread of petrol and diesel engines across the range, so you're not stuck if the car you want turns up with a different engine under the bonnet from the one you'd planned on.

• The 1.8 TSI engine offers good fuel economy, achieving around 40 miles per gallon in everyday driving.
• The car features a high-quality interior and provides a refined driving experience on various roads.
• A full-size alloy spare wheel is included as standard equipment, offering convenience and peace of mind.
• This four-door coupe is visually appealing, well-equipped, and available with an excellent selection of engines.