Volkswagen Passat Cylinder Head Replacement Parts

The Volkswagen Passat moved from the B7 generation (2010–2014, facelift 2011) to the B8 generation (2015–2023), so a 2015 donor and a 2019 car sit within the same B8 generation — which is a promising starting point. Fitment ultimately depends on both cars sharing the same engine code, which you'll find on your V5 or via a VIN check, as the B8 was offered with several petrol and diesel units across its run. Confirm the match with the breaker against your registration before purchasing, as ancillary and mounting details can vary mid-production even within a generation.

The B6 Passat ran from 2005 to 2010 and the B7 from 2010 to 2014, so these are separate generations with distinct platforms and engine configurations. Some engine codes — such as certain 2.0 TDI units — did carry across the B6 and B7, meaning a cylinder head could potentially interchange if the codes match exactly. However, whether a specific head crosses that B6-to-B7 generation boundary cleanly is something you must confirm with the breaker against your registration, as changes to ancillary fittings and coolant passages can catch buyers out.

S-line, SE, SE Business, Elegance, and R-Line are trim levels that relate to interior and exterior specification rather than the engine itself, so trim makes no difference to cylinder head fitment. What matters is that both cars share the same engine code, fuel type, and are within the same generation — the breaker will cross-reference this against your registration. Do bear in mind that a cylinder head pulled from a higher trim car will arrive looking identical mechanically, so there are no cosmetic differences to worry about with this particular part.

The single most useful piece of information is the engine code, which is stamped on the engine block and also appears on your V5 logbook or can be retrieved via a VIN check — it will be a two- to four-letter code such as CFFB, CJAA, or DFGA. You should also supply the year of your car and confirm whether it is petrol or diesel, and whether it is automatic or manual, as these details help the breaker identify the correct variant quickly. The more precisely you can describe your engine code, the faster a dismantler can confirm whether their stock is a genuine match for your vehicle.

The cylinder head itself sits on top of the engine block and is not directly affected by whether the gearbox is manual or automatic — the head is the same component regardless of transmission type, provided the engine code matches. Where gearbox type becomes relevant is in confirming the overall engine specification, since some engine variants were only offered with a specific transmission, so it acts as a useful cross-check when sourcing the part. As long as the engine codes align and fuel type matches, gearbox type alone should not prevent the cylinder head from fitting, but always confirm with the breaker against your registration.

Both 2010 and 2012 Passat models fall within the B7 generation (2010–2014), so they share the same broad platform — the B7 received a facelift in 2011 but this was primarily cosmetic and interior-focused rather than a wholesale engine change. The key question is still whether both cars carry the same engine code, as the B7 was sold with a range of petrol and diesel units and fitment follows the engine code above all else. Confirm the exact engine codes with the breaker against both registrations, as mid-production ancillary changes can sometimes affect compatibility even within the same generation.