The Volkswagen Vento was recently discontinued only to be replaced by the larger and more capable Virtus in the automaker's line-up. But over-a-decade old Vento was a charming compact sedan in its own right and you had several engine and transmission options to choose from over the years. More importantly, it was one of the more exciting cars to drive in the segment and still continues to be so, especially if you are looking for some old school fun. If you are planning to buy a used Volkswagen Vento, here are five things you should know before opting for one.
1. The Volkswagen Vento received a nearly ageless design with subtle changes keeping the model fresh over the years. VW India consistently brought facelifts and subtle tweaks to the styling but the overall silhouette remains identical to the model launched in 2010. The more recent versions do come with LED DRLs and LED taillights that look more premium, which only hold the vehicle's age for much longer.
2. The original Vento arrived with the powerful 1.6-litre petrol and diesel engine options. There was also the 1.2-litre TSI turbocharged petrol engine and more recently the 1.0-litre TSI turbo petrol on offer. The 1.6 diesel was replaced by the India-specific 1.5-litre TDI in 2016 and was touted to be more fuel efficient as well. Transmission choices include a 5-speed manual with the 1.6, while 7-speed DSG was available with the 1.2 TSI as well as the 1.5 TDI unit. The more recent 1.0-litre turbo engines got the 6-speed manual and torque converter options.
3. The Volkswagen Vento was one of the better handling cars in its segment and was quite fun to drive on winding roads. The build quality remains strong even after years and the plastics too age very well. However, the interior design may feel dated by today's standards while cabin space also feels small. The more recent versions got a touchscreen system but the unit itself feels dated.
4. Maintenance remains a concern with spares coming at a premium for the Vento. Sourcing parts for older versions may be an issue and replacing external panels like bumpers, headlamp assembly and even the bonnet can turn out to expensive. The high mileage diesel units can get major repairs after a couple of years with the need to replace injectors. An expensive repair could be the suspension on the Vento, given our bad roads. However, a major concern still remains the DSG unit which is an expensive fix. Make sure there are no jerks when downshifting and the shifts are seamless.
5. Prices for the Volkswagen Vento in the used car market are as low as Rs. 3 lakh for examples from 2012. There are plenty of options available with a diesel engine but the units have well over 100,000 km on the odometer. The DSG versions will cost you about Rs. 7 lakh from 2015.
