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.

762 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2018 (18) - 2.0 TDI SE Business DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£6,500

Finance available £123 pm

2L
131.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Fame Cars Limited

01216474010 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 1.5 TSI EVO SEL 5dr DSG

£23,495

Finance available £462 pm

1.5L
6.2K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Ballyrobert at Mallusk

02890021668 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 - R-Line 1.5 TSI eHybrid 272PS 6-speed DSG 5 Door Auto

£39,217

1.5L
5.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Estate

Marshall Volkswagen Oxford Kidlington

01865956226 *

Volkswagen Passat

Low Mileage

£14,900

Finance available £311 pm

45.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Jan London Trade Manchester

01216474048 *

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 Passat2017 (67) - 1.6 TDI SE Business Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Reduced

£6,290

Finance available £118 pm

1.6L
116.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

MOTORSTOP WEST MIDLANDS LTD

01384885524 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2022 (22) - 1.4 TSI PHEV GTE Advance 5dr DSG

£11,595

1.4L
115.6K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr

Low Mileage

£12,950

2L
56.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Listers Honda Northampton

01604343516 *

Volkswagen Passat2010 (10) - 2.0 TDI HIGHLINE PPLUS ESTATE 5DR DIESEL MANUAL EURO 5 (170 ps) NAV

£1,944

2L
154.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

The Van Sales Company

01616944772 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 (15) - 2.0 SE BUSINESS TDI BMT DIESEL 150 BHP ESTATE 5 DR , F.S.H , £20 ROAD TAX

£6,995

Finance available £134 pm

2L
130.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

G5 Autos Ltd (Appointment Only)

01482947637 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 (71) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Nav 5dr DSG ++ ULEZ / DAB / SAT NAV / FULL VW HISTORY ++

£17,470

Finance available £338 pm

1.5L
40.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

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

£3,595

Finance available £58 pm

2L
141.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Harris Motor Group

01924942328 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI SE Business 5dr

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
132.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

The Brothers Car Lot

01726219474 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2019 (68) - 1.5 TSI (150ps) R-Line (s/s)DSG Saloon 4-Door

Reduced

£18,795

1.5L
10.7K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Specialist Cars Dunfermline

01383347079 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Business Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150

Low Mileage

£10,500

Finance available £212 pm

2L
69.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Hammond Cars Norwich

01603937224 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Business Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (

£7,291

Finance available £141 pm

2L
113.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

FMC Swansea Ltd

01792739469 *

Volkswagen Passat2011 (61) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech SE 4dr

£2,490

2L
121.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Globe Cars

01733915026 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Low Mileage

£11,484

Finance available £234 pm

2L
69.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

New Street Car Centre

01952967003 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2018 (68) - 2.0 TDI SE Business 5dr ++ ULEZ / H/SEATS / SAT NAV / DAB / CAMERA ++

£9,490

Finance available £190 pm

2L
109.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Nick King Car Sales Ltd

01594809268 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 TDI R-Line 4dr DSG [Panoramic Roof]

Reduced

£14,795

Finance available £308 pm

2L
56.6K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

Supreme Motors NI

02882449414 *

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.