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.

776 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 1.6 TDI GT 4dr [Panoramic Roof]

£8,250

Finance available £162 pm

1.6L
138.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Archvale Car Sales

02890022125 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SEL 5dr DSG Auto

£14,697

2L
74.7K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Marshall Volkswagen Milton Keynes

01908926622 *

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

£7,195

Finance available £138 pm

2L
88.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

A&A Auto Sales

01832778585 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2006 (06) - 1.9 SE TDI 5dr + 9 SERVICES / AIR CON / CRUISE

Low Mileage

£2,775

1.9L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR R-Line 4dr DSG

£17,498

2L
51.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Arnold Clark Warrington Motorstore/Renault/Dacia/Vanstore

01925917350 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2022 (72) - 2.0 TDI EVO R-Line Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£24,800

Finance available £462 pm

2L
25.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Big Motoring World Cannock

01543221765 *

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

Low Mileage

£9,999

Finance available £201 pm

2L
57.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

B&F Cars Northampton

01604343399 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SE Nav 4dr DSG

£14,490

Finance available £301 pm

2L
64.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Agnew Volkswagen Mallusk

02890026957 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life 5dr DSG

Reduced

£36,498

1.5L
19.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 2.0 TDI SCR 190 R-Line 4dr DSG

Low Mileage

£12,949

Finance available £259 pm

2L
62.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

cinch Store Birmingham

01216618749 *

4.3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Business 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,450

Finance available £166 pm

2L
77.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

A&S Motors UK

01616944537 *

4.8/5 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 SE Business 5dr DSG

£5,300

Finance available £96 pm

2L
157.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Oxford Wheels LTD

01993463606 *

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

Low Mileage

£14,599

2L
39.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Sinclair Volkswagen (Swansea)

01792739752 *

0/5 Stars

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

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
123.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Clifby Motor Centre

01422410533 *

Volkswagen Passat2012 - 2.0 Passat Sport TDI BlueMotion Technology 5dr

£2,495

2L
167.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Ripon Auto Centre

01765530144 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 - 1.6 TDI SE Business 4dr

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
96.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

RM Trade Sales

02890023693 *

Volkswagen Passat2014 (64) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech Executive 4dr TIMING BELT DONE

£6,999

Finance available £134 pm

2L
88.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Parc Lane Cars Ltd

01913232948 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 (66) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£9,195

Finance available £183 pm

2L
112.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Pavilion Motor Company

01614139866 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 (70) - 1.5 TSI EVO SEL Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Reduced

£11,500

Finance available £235 pm

1.5L
61.0K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Canvey Carriage Company

01268203836 *

4.3/5 Stars

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.