So having had to pay to get the right side handbrake motor replaced 9 months ago due to the motor seizing meaning I couldn't disengage the handbrake, I've just had to pay for the motor on the left to be replaced for the same reason!! The handbrake stuck on with 'handbrake fault' error on dash.

Same as last time, the cause is water damage to the motor that engages/disengages the handbrake, causing it to seize and require replacement....this has happened TWICE now on a car that I've only owned for less than a year.

The fault is with VW's poor design - who in their right mind puts a motor that fails due to water damage in an area where it's going to get wet and fail, i.e. in the wheel where every bit of water from the road surface is going to splash up on it??

And what the hell was wrong with a lever/cable handbrake in the first place? This system worked for years so why change it? If it ain't broke, why fix it? For more space in the center console? I'd rather have less space in my center console than have to fork out €650 every time the handbrake gets wet and seizes...and apparently the switches are quite prone to failure as well....

The real reason all manufacturers are moving to electronic keys and electronic handbrakes is BECAUSE they are prone to fail and they'll make more money on parts and servicing when they do.

VW design quality is shocking and I'd never buy one again. The same failure twice in the space of a year is not good enough VW. They should really issue a recall for this because it's such a common problem.

BUYERS OF PASSATS BEWARE!!!