VW Passat B5 brakes and accelerator issues

[JayJay52]

Hi,

Looking for sone advice here with both a braks and accelerator issue on a Passat B5 automatic TD1 saloon Hi-Line (2000). It's a personal import from new to the U.K. from Belgium.

Since a routine oil-change service the brakes - which have always been very positive and firm - have long pedal travel and while you do eventually stop they don't inspire confidence. The accelarator is also woolly with slow acceleration and top end missing. It's been back to the garage with a request to re-check - which they did and re-bled the brakes to little effect..

Whether relevant or not, they were also advised that on another service (different garage - 2 years ago) the garage concerned had split a vacuum hose and not noticed it - which resulted in almost no throttle response. On being advised of the issue and being pointed in the right direction they had then bodged a vacuum hose repair and had to re-repair it to being all back in line. The bodge did not seem affect the brakes and it has been fine since until now. The brake discs are nearing replacement at the next service but are not quite there yet. 

While I still suspect vacuum somewhere at the bottom of it it could be somethign else, so looking for advice. The (local/independent) garage is I think a little out of their depth. To answer an anticipated question - the local VW dealer is pants ever since they got taken over and experienced staff leaving.

Regards & TIA

JJ