JUST BOUGHT A VW PASSAT 55REG AND THERE IS A PUTRID SMELL COMING FROM THE INTERIOR AIR SYSTEM

GARRY JONES, April 2009

I had same problem and a mechanic friend changed the filters in air con system - all's well now.

K, August 2009

The smell is from bacteria that has formed on the surfaces of the evaporator inside the car. You can buy aerosol treatments for this - generally you open a can of this stuff, set the control for interior circulation, let the contents of the can circulate for a while and the smell should go, or at least diminish. Check out Halfords or any good motor factors.

John, April 2009