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.

789 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2021 - 2.0 TDI EVO SEL Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps) - PARK SENSO

£17,978

Finance available £356 pm

2L
45.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Carsa Durham

01388217377 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 (15) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG

£5,995

Finance available £112 pm

2L
158.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

DK Motor Cars

01727221656 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2010 (60) - 2.0 GT TDI 170 4dr DSG

Low Mileage

£2,999

2L
101.5K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

EMIR & ADAM GROUPS LTD

01904917460 *

Volkswagen Passat2011 (11) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£2,095

1.6L
178.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Alcester Motor Company ltd

01926352149 *

Volkswagen Passat2023 - 1.5 TSI EVO R-Line Estate 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£22,986

Finance available £501 pm

1.5L
21.5K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Carbase - Weston

01934313340 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2019 (19) - 2.0 TDI GT Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
120.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Redpath & Mclean Motor Ltd

01316036539 *

Volkswagen Passat2021 (21) - 1.4 TSI 13kWh GTE Estate 5dr Petrol Plug-in Hybrid DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (218 ps

£14,995

Finance available £313 pm

1.4L
65.0K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Victoria Motors

01225437258 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 - 1.5 eTSI (150ps) Life DSG Automatic 5-Door

£31,875

1.5L
4.5K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Capitol Volkswagen Merthyr Tydfil

01685701249 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech S 5-Door

£4,750

Finance available £84 pm

2L
146.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

B C S LTD

01162162529 *

4.7/5 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 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 Passat2016 (16) - 1.6 TDI SE Business 4dr

Low Mileage

£6,490

Finance available £123 pm

1.6L
65.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Edinburgh Autos Ltd

01412601433 *

4.9/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2018 (67) - 1.6 TDI GT 5dr DSG [Panoramic Roof]

£7,995

Finance available £156 pm

1.6L
134.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

A&A Auto Sales

01832778585 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2019 - 1.6 TDI GT Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (120 ps)

£15,495

1.6L
59.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Harding Motor Company Ltd

01513174813 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 (67) - 2.0 TDI SE Business Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£5,790

Finance available £107 pm

2L
159.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Motor Gurus

01144780031 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 2.0 TDI SE 4dr

Low Mileage

£9,999

Finance available £201 pm

2L
57.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

N K Motors Chilwell

01156977727 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Business 4-Door

Low Mileage

£8,890

Finance available £176 pm

1.6L
55.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Whitefield Motors

01613887758 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2011 (61) - 2.0 GT TDI CR BlueMotion Tech 4dr [5 seat]

£1,790

2L
130.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

TS Motors

01282509437 *

Volkswagen Passat2009 (09) - 2.0 Highline TDI CR DPF 4dr DSG

£1,795

2L
153.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

AR Cars

01254947703 *

Volkswagen Passat2019 (68) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Business Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

Reduced

£7,795

Finance available £152 pm

1.5L
97.8K
Miles
Petrol
Manual
Saloon

Dereham Motor Company ltd

01362700376 *

3.9/5 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