The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta lasts around 200,000 miles with some relatively minor brake system and oil issues. At $4,357 to $5,694, it’s a good value for an entry-level European sedan.
Is the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta a Good Used Car?
- Yes, 2008 is a good year for the Jetta. Owner reviews praise the comfortable cabin, long-lasting engines, and decent performance.
- Interior quality is very good with nice materials used throughout the cabin for the price. The technology is a bit outdated though, and is missing features like bluetooth.
- Reliability ratings are excellent. Models from 2007 and 2008 are great choices, with more problems showing up in 2009.
- Performance is average from the standard 5-cylinder engine, but the turbocharged 4-cylinder is a bit quicker.
- The Jetta is reasonably safe for a compact car, earning 4 out of 5 stars overall in government crash test ratings, and the lowest score is 4 stars in the front impact score.
- Fuel economy is average at up to 25 MPG combined, and it gets around 362 miles of range from the 14.5 gallon tank.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Volkswagen Jetta?
- Consumer Reports says the 2008 VW Jetta has better power and handling than before, and has high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the VW Jetta a 4.6/5 praising the excellent build quality, but Edmunds doesn’t like the average fuel economy.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the VW Jetta 4.5/5 and enjoy the affordable German luxury, but owners don’t like the higher maintenance costs.
What Common Problems Does the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta Have?
The most common problems with the 2008 Jetta include brake system issues, excessive oil consumption, and the ignition not recognizing the key. Overall, the problems are fairly minor compared to issues found on other compact cars from 2008.
Brake system issues, leading to a loss in brake pressure, show up on some Jetta models at around 21,000 miles. The source of the problem is usually caused by the brake master cylinder having a failure. Replacing the assembly costs around $300. There was also a recall covering it in 2020.
Excessive oil consumption is another issue reported by owners at around 120,000 miles. Many owners simply check the oil regularly and add oil as needed, while others choose to replace the spark plugs which can help reduce oil loss, and costs around $200.
Ignition system issues where the computer doesn’t recognize the key also show up at around 65,000 miles. The main problem is with the ignition switch in the vehicle, and replacing it for around $400 fixes the issue.
There are 6 recalls, which is an average number for a compact car from 2008. The most serious recall is for the water pump, which can cause the engine to overheat if it fails.
How Long Will the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta Last?
A well-maintained 2008 Volkswagen Jetta should last around 200,000 miles, which is about 100,000 miles less than top competitors like the Toyota Corolla. Regular annual maintenance costs are a bit higher than rivals as well, at $523 per year, according to Repair Pal.
Since most 2008 Jettas have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace the HVAC blend door for $500, transmission shift cable costing $600, and the sunroof motor which costs $650.
I have been told by many other people that Volkswagen cars are not good and that they constantly break down. I have not had this experience and have driven my car for the past 124,000 miles.
Yes, it is reliable. As I stated previously, the only major problems I have had with the car was when I had to replace the transmission a few years ago.
Yes, this has been a very reliable vehicle, with minimal problems. I have only had one issue with it in over 120,000 miles.
The 2008 VW Jetta is an extremely reliable car. In 11 years, I have had no major issues at all. This vehicle is still running wonderfully after 180k miles.
Some problems with the breaks but that was fixed. The air conditioning and heat take a while to kick in and the seat heaters actually got so hot they burned through my leather seats.
Yes, the Jetta is a very reliable car and it's great on gas. I haven't had any major problems with my car just a few repairs that were regular maintenance.
Lately I have had some issues, but that is to be expected at 150,000 miles. I have definitely gotten good use of this car.
Yes it’s reliable. It has a few minor problems here and there but nothing too bad. Such as lights go out quite frequently and I am often adding oil and coolant
How Much Is the 2008 Volkswagen Jetta Worth?
Blue book values range from $4,357 to $5,694, which makes the Jetta similarly priced to other compact cars including the Honda Civic and Mazda3. When new, the price range was $16,990 to $22,900. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 12% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Volkswagen Jetta?
There are three main models of the Jetta offered for 2008. The fifth generation of the Jetta was introduced for the 2006 model year, with a complete redesign coming in 2010.
S is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Cruise Control
- Power Windows & Locks
- Keyless Entry
- 8-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm Jack
SE is a step up, adding:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Sunroof
- Heated Front Seats
- 10-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo
- Satellite Radio
SEL is the flagship model and adds:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather Sating
- Premium 10-Speaker Stereo System
- Unique Metallic Interior Trim
What Engines Come In the Volkswagen Jetta?
- The base engine is an average 2.5L-5-cylinder which makes 170 horsepower and gets up to 24 MPG combined.
- An available upgrade is the slightly more powerful 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder making 200 horsepower, which gets up to 25 MPG combined. Performance is okay, taking 7.7 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Volkswagen Jetta Come In?
How Big Is the Volkswagen Jetta?
The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta is an average compact car that is similar in size to the Ford Focus or Nissan Sentra. Passenger room is excellent throughout the cabin, and adults easily fit in the backseats with plenty of legroom.
Cargo space is above average for a compact car with 16 cubic feet of room in the trunk, which is enough space for 4-5 suitcases.
How Does the Volkswagen Jetta Compare to the Competition?
The compact car market is a very competitive one and the Jetta falls near the middle of the group, but offers a higher quality interior than its Japanese rivals.
The Toyota Corolla is a competitor which costs about $800 more. Ownership costs are lower on the Toyota Corolla, but the VW Jetta offers a higher quality interior for the money. We recommend the Toyota Corolla, since it lasts a bit longer, but both are dependable choices.
The Volkswagen Passat is another competitor from VW, which costs about $1,200 more. Passenger and cargo space are both better in the VW Passat, but the VW Jetta has a better steering feel. We recommend the VW Jetta since it’s cheaper to own, unless you need extra room found in the Passat.
Do Owners Recommend the Volkswagen Jetta?
Yes. It has been reliable the entire time I have owned it. I enjoy the power the vehicle has when I drive it and the way it handles.
Yes, it is a good vehicle. While it is a small car, it feels sturdy with good weight. It is reliable and I have had few problems with it. I did have the transmission replaced about 4 years ago which was disappointing. Now the interior roof lining is falling down. While that is annoying and unsightly, it does not affect the how the car performs.
Yes, I have loved driving it since I purchased it. I have had minimal problems with the vehicle. It is very reliable.
The 2008 Volkswagen Jetta is the best vehicle I have ever owned. It is going on eleven years and it has been so reliable and given few to no engine problems. This vehicle has 180k miles on it and it certainly has a lot of life still in it. If the years that followed are just as good as mine, then I would recommend the Jetta 100% to anyone.
It is a great vehicle you get good gas mileage for how old it is and mine is in great shape and only needs a little repair here and there.
I love my VW Jetta, I have had no major issues with my car aside from the usual maintenance. If I purchased another car, it would definitely be another VW.
Absolutely! It is spacious and feels like a much more expensive car. It handles well and the interior is simple but classy.
Yes, it drives well and is great on gas. The only thing is I hate how if something needs fixed I can only bring it to a Volkswagen dealership and not somewhere else like a local shop