From the VW techs and Indy guys I know, the 2.5 has been a very reliable engine. Big oil sump, pretty easy on oil, and in its current form, not too many weak links. I have a feeling if I keep it long enough, my 2012 will fall apart before the 2.5 really gives me trouble.
We believe the average longevity of the 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine by Volkswagen should be about 280,000 miles. This is a fair figure. The engine can go more, but sometimes it's really expensive to drive more miles. We believe that buying a vehicle with more than 200K miles on it is not wise.
Yes, the VW 2.5 is a 5-cylinder engine. It has been praised for its smooth and quiet operation, as well as its durability. However, like any engine, it can experience some common problems, such as ignition coil failure, vacuum pump leaks, and N80 valve failure. TWjJjJA.