Volkswagen effect 

An overwhelming feeling affecting the masses when they find out they have to remove the entire front end of a car to replace a headlight.

Jim: "I think one of my headlights is out on my Jetta."
John: "Uh-oh. Get ready to experience the volkswagen effect."

Volkswagen effect by SmartxAlex December 2, 2011

Volkswagen Effect 

The sensation one gets from driving a volkswagen.
The effect generated from powering through carefully calibrated german gears in a luxurious VW.

Bill felt overly excited after he test drove the newest GTI. He had to buy it on the spot. He knew at that moment he had succumb to the Volkswagen Effect.

Volkswagen Effect by Moe S. May 20, 2007

Volkswagen Effect 

Having good behavior when being monitored, but bad behavior when no one is looking.

Based on the 2015 scandal where Volkswagen cars were discovered to have low emissions when the vehicle's system could tell it was being emission tested.

My son is nice to his sister when I'm around, but I worry about a Volkswagen Effect when he knows I can't see them.

Volkswagen Effect by Mad Jim June 5, 2017