No, with the dog you are wrong:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upHYnigkaZg


The 32B-Passat, especially the later ones, did indeed have a quite good rust-conservation. But these Passats have one very sensible part about that: the block, where the back axle is mounted at the chassis. When this is rusted, the car is a wreck, even when the rest ist in mint condition. Because this block is made from seven body-panel-parts in a way, it's impossible to weld. I don't know, how it's in Norway, but in Germany you never have a chance to pass the TÜV-inspection, when there's rust around there. And it could be indeed dangerous, because when the rust is too heavy there, the axle can yank off then.

About the rubber parts: at all 32B-Passats the plastic-trims at the bottom of the side windows are gone (they shorten due sun and weather). New parts are available, but not for really cheap prices.

The dashboard is better than those of the predecessor B1, because it's a different, harder material. But after several years in the sun the surface may be cracked, too, especially around the speaker-holes.

About the VW-dealer you are right, chicomarx: never ever go there!