Used Volkswagen Passat Brake Caliper

These sit in different generations — the B7 ran from 2010 to 2014, while the B8 began in 2015, and the two generations do not share the same brake architecture. A caliper from a 2012 B7 car is very unlikely to interchange with a 2016 B8, so always confirm against your exact registration with the breaker before ordering. Engine size matters too, as larger-engined cars often carry bigger brake assemblies, so make sure the donor car matches your engine as well.

Yes — the Passat has gone through several distinct generations, and brake calipers are not generally shared across them. The key breaks are: B6 (2005–2010), B7 (2010–2014), and B8 (2015 onwards), with running gear differing meaningfully between each. Within a generation, engine size also plays a role, as higher-powered variants tend to use larger brake assemblies, so give your registration and engine size to the breaker to confirm the right unit.

Yes, this matters — brake calipers are handed, meaning the nearside (NS, left-hand side) and offside (OS, right-hand side) units are different and not interchangeable. Always specify which side you need when contacting a breaker, as supplying the wrong side is one of the most common ordering mistakes. Check whether the fault is at the front or rear as well, since front and rear calipers are also entirely different parts.

Trim level alone does not determine which brake caliper your Passat needs — the generation and engine size are what matter for fitment. SE, SEL, Elegance, and similar trims within the same generation can share calipers as long as the engine size matches, since larger engines typically come with bigger brakes regardless of badge. That said, if your car has a sport or R-Line specification with any suspension or brake upgrades, confirm with the breaker against your registration, as mid-generation specification changes can affect what was fitted.

Engine size can affect brake caliper sizing even within the same generation, as more powerful variants are often fitted with larger brakes to cope with the extra performance. A 2.0 TDI caliper may therefore differ from a 1.6 TDI unit, even if the cars are the same model year and generation. Confirm with the breaker using both registrations to make sure the donor car's engine and specification match yours before buying.

This is a generation boundary question — the B6 ran until 2010 and the B7 began in 2010–2011, so a 2009 car is B6 while a 2011 car is most likely B7. These generations do not share the same running gear, and a caliper from a B7 is unlikely to be a direct fit on a B6. Confirm both registrations with the breaker to establish exactly which generation and engine specification each car is before purchasing.