Which is the most popular engine in the Volkswagen Passat?

Overwhelmingly, customers prefer the diesel engines in the Passat. These engines provide the absolute best compromise in terms of ample performance with excellent fuel economy.

What are the most popular trim levels?

With new Passat models, Volkswagen offers three trims: Life, Elegance and R-Line. Of these three, the R-Line has been among the most popular, likely because of its unique styling features and upgraded sportiness. These are very easy to find on the used market as a result. Older GT and SE models have also proved popular among Passat drivers.

What optional extras should I look out for?

The tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof is a desirable option, giving a roomier feel to the cabin. There's also a Black Styling Pack available with the R-Line, giving it a sleek and unique appearance on the road.

Is the Volkswagen Passat a good family car?

With plenty of space, four doors and a big boot, the Passat is a great family car. It's comfortable, safe and packed full of technology features, too.

Is there a hybrid version of the Volkswagen Passat?

There is a hybrid version of the Passat, known as the GTE. It features a 1.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor to create a combined 218bhp and an electric-only driving range of up to 31 miles, after which it automatically switches to petrol/electric hybrid power, allowing you to continue your journey.

Is the Volkswagen Passat available as an automatic?

Volkswagen has offered the Passat with a choice of an automatic or a manual gearbox, and both are plentiful on the used market.

Is there a four-wheel drive version available?

Most Passat models have been built with front-wheel drive. There were some made with four-wheel drive, but they are difficult to find on the used market. Look for models badged as "4MOTION" - this is Volkswagen speak for all-wheel drive.

790 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech SE 4dr

£3,295

2L
124.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

RTM MOTORS CARDIFF

02920025017 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 TDI SE Business 5dr

Reduced

£6,495

2L
127.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Affordable Motors

01216474040 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£7,795

Finance available £152 pm

1.6L
92.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Autohub Northampton

01604343474 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 2.0 TDI SEL 190PS DSG Estate Automatic 5-Door

Low Mileage

£20,297

2L
33.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2020 (70) - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE Advance 5dr DSG

£13,295

Finance available £275 pm

1.4L
86.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Surecar Direct

01172447335 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 (21) - 1.5 SEL TSI EVO 5d 148 BHP 5-Door

£10,990

Finance available £223 pm

1.5L
111.2K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Estate

Roy Needham Cars

01226448496 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line 5dr, Euro 6

£8,795

Finance available £174 pm

2L
102.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Motor Express

07305693901 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI EVO SE Nav Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£13,499

2L
82.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Les Rayner Foxhunters Motor Co

01916077230 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav Estate 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)+1 OWNER FROM

Reduced

£12,790

1.5L
80.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Fish For Motors Ltd

01204939523 *

Volkswagen Passat2011 (61) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Sport DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 4dr

Low Mileage

£5,395

2L
73.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

West Midlands Cars Ltd

01212721955 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Executive Saloon 4dr Diesel Manual Euro 5 (s/s) (14

£4,690

2L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Jenson Cars

01733794308 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Executive Euro 5 (s/s) 4dr

Low Mileage

£6,575

Finance available £125 pm

2L
66.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Maldon Cars and Vans Ltd

01621734635 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 (25) - 1.5 TSI eHybrid R-Line 5dr DSG

£50,990

1.5L
100.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 - 2.0 TDI GT 4dr

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

2L
72.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

SMV MOTORS

02892791555 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 - 1.4 TSI Bluemotion Tech SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£9,949

1.4L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Cars 4 U

02038731380 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Business Saloon 4dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150

Low Mileage

£10,995

Finance available £223 pm

2L
70.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Cars Of Conwy Car Centre (Junction)

01492551634 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 - 2.0 TDI SE Business 5dr Manual

Low Mileage

£15,300

2L
41.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2014 (64) - 1.6 TDI Bluemotion Tech S 4dr

Low Mileage

£5,495

1.6L
84.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

James Little Street Cars

01563591198 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 (64) - 1.6 TDI SEL 4dr DSG 18 months warranty

£9,295

Finance available £185 pm

1.6L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

JRP Automotive Company

02920033509 *

Volkswagen Passat2011 (61) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech Sport Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£3,395

2L
121.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Derby Motors Limited

01283907027 *

Why buy a used Volkswagen Passat?

If you're in the market for a car that's practical, comfortable on long drives and has a spacious interior, then a used Volkswagen Passat is a great choice. As one of the UK's top-selling cars, the Passat is an excellent motorway cruiser filled with modern technology and features. With several different bodystyles and efficient engines, it's not difficult to find a used Passat that meets your everyday motoring needs.

Used Volkswagen Passat snapshot review

Author: Jack Evans

View profile

Pros

Excellent cruiser
Efficient diesel engines
Spacious design

Cons

Saloon can be impractical
Plain design
Rivals are better to drive

Read our Volkswagen Passat review

Volkswagen Passat video review

lite-youtube[videoid='g1Gl6ZQuRls']{cursor:initial;background-image:url("https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/g1Gl6ZQuRls/sddefault.webp")}lite-youtube[videoid='g1Gl6ZQuRls']::after{background:no-repeat center/68px 48px url('data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 68 48"><path d="M66.52 7.74c-.78-2.93-2.49-5.41-5.42-6.19C55.79.13 34 0 34 0S12.21.13 6.9 1.55c-2.93.78-4.63 3.26-5.42 6.19C.06 13.05 0 24 0 24s.06 10.95 1.48 16.26c.78 2.93 2.49 5.41 5.42 6.19C12.21 47.87 34 48 34 48s21.79-.13 27.1-1.55c2.93-.78 4.64-3.26 5.42-6.19C67.94 34.95 68 24 68 24s-.06-10.95-1.48-16.26z" fill="red"/><path d="M45 24 27 14v20" fill="white"/></svg>')}

Used Volkswagen Passat buying guide

Engines and transmissions

Volkswagen has built the Passat with petrol, diesel and mild-hybrid powerplants. These have been paired with an automatic or manual gearbox and front- or all-wheel drive.

Petrol

1.5 eTSI outputs 147bhp for a 9.2-second 0-62mph time and an efficiency rating of 51.8mpg.
Older 1.4-litre turbocharged engine generates either 123bhp or 148bhp.
An older 1.8-litre turbocharged engine produces 177bhp, and there's also been a top-performing 2.0-litre outputting 217bhp.
Plug-in GTE version has a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined 218bhp and an electric-only driving range of up to 31 miles.

Diesel

Older 1.6-litre engine produces 118bhp with an efficiency rating of 76.3mpg.
2.0-litre option increases output to 148bhp or 187bhp offering a rating of up to 67.3mpg. These are the most popular engine choices.
2.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine generates 237bhp.

Practicality

Bigger than the Golf and Beetle, the Volkswagen Passat is a practical family car with plenty of space for people and cargo.

Interior space

Adjustable steering wheel and driver's seat allow for the best position, while the massaging feature offers more comfort on long drives.
Rear seat headroom and legroom adequate for tall adults.
ISOFIX mounting points have flip-up covers over them for protection.

Boot space

690-litre boot is more than the average of 500 litres for most cars in this segment.
Putting down the rear seats increases space to 1,920 litres.
Bumper is low to the ground and there's no boot lip to contend with.

Bodystyles

Estate model is still available with a longer body for added space.
Saloon was recently discontinued.
Other variants were inspired by the Passat, including the four-door coupé known as the CC, and the rugged version known as the Alltrack.

Safety

2014 Euro NCAP rating gives the Passat five stars.
Child occupant rating sits at 87%, with adult occupant earning 85%.
Standard safety kit includes adaptive cruise control and automatic parking for more confidence.

Technology

Large 12.9-inch touchscreen display is the focal point of the dashboard.
High-resolution 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro system is easy to view.
Available Premium sound systems are available to provide more audio clarity and enjoyment.

Buying a used car checklist: what to look for

Buying a used car can be a daunting task, but with our checklist, you can make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

View guides

* Telephone numbers starting with 084X or 087X will cost you up to 13p per minute plus your telephone company's access charge. Calls to other telephone numbers will only cost your phone company's access charge.