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.

795 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech 4MOTION 5dr

£7,499

Finance available £145 pm

2L
107.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

DandLMotors

01777801470 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2014 - 1.4 TSI Bluemotion Tech SE 5dr DSG

Low Mileage

£9,949

Finance available £200 pm

1.4L
28.0K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

Cars 4 U

02038731380 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2013 (63) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech R-Line 5dr DSG TIMING BELT DONE

Reduced

£8,999

Finance available £179 pm

2L
80.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Parc Lane Cars Ltd

01913232948 *

Volkswagen Passat2011 (60) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 4dr

Low Mileage

£3,990

Finance available £67 pm

2L
70.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Discount Car Centre Ltd

01616969160 *

Volkswagen Passat2013 (63) - 2.0 Turbo Diesel (TDI), BlueMotion Tech, Highline Edition, Estate, 5 Door,

Low Mileage

£8,299

2L
60.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Elm Tree Car Sales Ltd

01913387238 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£12,495

Finance available £257 pm

2L
79.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Paul Williamson Cars Ltd

01343612230 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2011 (60) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

Low Mileage

£4,995

Finance available £89 pm

2L
77.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Drivers Choice Limited

01217288652 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech 4MOTION 5dr

£5,000

Finance available £89 pm

2L
138.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Grove Cars

01143089351 *

Volkswagen Passat2022 - MK8 Facelift Saloon 1.5 TSI 150 SE Nav EVO Manual 4-Door

Reduced

£16,499

1.5L
23.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

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

£9,495

Finance available £190 pm

1.6L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

JRP Automotive Company

02920033509 *

Volkswagen Passat2008 - 2.0 TDI CR 4dr - Only 70,000 Miles - Servie history. - 1 Owner -

Low Mileage

£2,795

2L
78.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Llandarcy Car Sales

01639501388 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 150PS + LED HEADLIGHTS SINCLAIR GUARANTEED Manual 4-Door

Low Mileage

£14,999

2L
39.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Sinclair Volkswagen (Swansea)

01792739752 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 2.0 TDI SCR 190 SEL 4dr DSG

£16,698

2L
56.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Wishaw)

01698537718 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2017 (17) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr

Reduced

£8,499

Finance available £168 pm

2L
131.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

DandLMotors

01777801470 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line 4dr

£13,099

Finance available £262 pm

1.5L
70.5K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

cinch Warehouse Corby

01536219125 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2024 (74) - 1.5 eTSI R-Line 5dr DSG

£35,490

1.5L
6.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Stratford-upon-Avon

01789339674 *

Volkswagen Passat2012 (62) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE DSG Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,490

Finance available £75 pm

2L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Prestigio Cars Ltd

01908767389 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2013 - 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Tech SE Estate 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 5 (s/s) (122 ps)

Reduced

£6,995

1.4L
85.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Hodgson Specialist Cars Ltd

01942365192 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 - R-Line 1.5 TSI eHybrid 272PS 6-speed DSG Automatic 5-Door

£44,000

1.5L
6.9K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Weston-super-Mare

01934319038 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line Saloon 4dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (190 p

Reduced

£10,495

Finance available £212 pm

2L
72.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Elmbank Motor Company

01292430978 *

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

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

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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.

Used Volkswagen Passat snapshot review

Pros