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.

791 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 2.0 TDI EVO R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£14,000

Finance available £290 pm

2L
90.3K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Vehicle Vault

01325522660 *

4.8/5 Stars

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 Passat2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech Executive 4dr

£5,295

Finance available £96 pm

2L
114.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Mark Vickers Car Sales

01246381035 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 1.6 TDI SE Business 5dr

£8,195

1.6L
86.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

EMG Motor Group Spalding

01775661268 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2011 (11) - 2.0 TDI CR BlueMotion Tech 4dr [5 seat]

Reduced

£3,295

Finance available £51 pm

2L
118.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

AMD AUTOS

01778300647 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2019 - 2.0 Passat SE Business TDI Semi-Auto 5dr

£12,645

Finance available £260 pm

2L
75.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

RallySport Automotive Limited

01206489764 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2020 - 1.6 TDI SEL 4dr DSG

£15,998

1.6L
50.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Arnold Clark Ayr Kia

01292434388 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£5,795

Finance available £107 pm

2L
144.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Westgate Motor Centre

01274089104 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Business 5-Door

£5,999

Finance available £112 pm

1.6L
1.9M
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Chester Motor Company

01207262648 *

0/5 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 Passat2012 (12) - 1.8 TSI SE DSG Euro 5 4dr

Low Mileage

£5,500

1.8L
83.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Saloon

Star Cars London

02037726236 *

3.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2018 - 2.0 TDI GT 4dr [Panoramic Roof]

Reduced

£11,995

Finance available £246 pm

2L
97.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Drew Baxter Car Sales

02890023131 *

Volkswagen Passat2015 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE 5-Door

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

2L
105.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Champion Vans Ltd

01633831060 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2019 - 1.5 TSI (150ps) GT (s/s) Saloon Manual 4-Door

Low Mileage

£16,200

1.5L
25.1K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Mon Motors Volkswagen Gloucester

01452227271 *

4.6/5 Stars

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

£13,680

Finance available £289 pm

2L
75.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Carbase - Weston

01934313340 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2016 (16) - 2.0 SE TDI BLUEMOTION TECHNOLOGY 5d 148 BHP 5-Door

£9,000

2L
76.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Hearsall Common Car Sales

02475105300 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 TSI eHybrid Life 5dr DSG Auto

£33,559

1.5L
7.4K
Miles
Hybrid
Semi Auto
Estate

Marshall Volkswagen Milton Keynes

01908926622 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 - 1.4 TSI GT Estate 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (125 ps)

£10,395

Finance available £210 pm

1.4L
112.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Extra Mile Motors Ltd

01761250725 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 (20) - 2.0 TDI EVO R-Line Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (190 ps)

Reduced

£15,250

2L
78.4K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Dace German Car Centre

01616969152 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2024 - 1.5 eTSI (150ps) Life DSG Automatic 5-Door

£29,750

1.5L
6.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Mon Motors Volkswagen Bath

01225617306 *

4.6/5 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

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