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.

761 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2013 (13) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech Highline 4dr DSG AUTOMATIC! THE BEST YOU WILL SEE!

£4,699

Finance available £83 pm

2L
106.0K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Saloon

Gordon Fielder Cars Ltd

01527368645 *

Volkswagen Passat2020 (20) - 1.6 TDI SEL 5dr DSG

£14,600

Finance available £304 pm

1.6L
68.2K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

Vindis Fakenham Volkswagen

01328801762 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 (68) - 2.0 TDI GT 5dr DSG [Panoramic Roof] [7 Speed]

£10,675

Finance available £216 pm

2L
114.1K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Motor Hunt

02476936615 *

3/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 (65) - 1.6 TDI BlueMotion Tech S Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (120 ps)

Low Mileage

£7,690

Finance available £149 pm

1.6L
72.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Swift Cars south Wales Ltd

01495369894 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2017 - TDI R-Line 4-Door

£10,000

Finance available £201 pm

2L
91.2K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Avenue Cars of Gloucester Ltd

01452227348 *

4.9/5 Stars

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

£4,495

Finance available £78 pm

2L
116.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Polesworth Garage Tamworth

01827213852 *

Volkswagen Passat2012 - S 5-Door

Reduced

£2,490

1.6L
152.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

CSK Motors

01709288247 *

4.2/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2022 - 2.0 TDI SEL Saloon 4dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (122 ps)

£18,104

Finance available £390 pm

2L
41.8K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2016 (66) - 2.0 BiTDI SCR GT 4MOTION 5dr DSG

Reduced

£15,495

Finance available £324 pm

2L
64.1K
Miles
Diesel
Semi Auto
Estate

RB Cars

01989551050 *

3.8/5 Stars

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 Passat2016 - 2.0 TDI SE Business 4dr

Low Mileage

£9,950

Finance available £200 pm

2L
66.4K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 TDI GT Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

£12,107

Finance available £253 pm

2L
74.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2022 (72) - 1.5 TSI EVO SEL 5dr DSG Petrol Estate

£20,706

1.5L
33.6K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Vertu Vauxhall Macclesfield

01625462728 *

4.7/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2023 (73) - MK8 Facelift Est 2.0TDI 150 SEL EVO SCR DSG 5-Door

Low Mileage

£31,491

2L
5.2K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Peter Cooper Volkswagen Chichester

01242507316 *

Volkswagen Passat2024 - 1.5 eTSI R-Line 5dr DSG

£39,795

6.0
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Arnold Clark Volkswagen (Glasgow)

01414736428 *

4.7/5 Stars

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

£35,998

1.5L
4.0K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Sinclair Volkswagen (Bridgend)

01656330795 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2020 - SEL TSI EVO DSG Petrol Manual 5 Door Estate 2020(70 Plate) [147BHP]

£16,295

Finance available £342 pm

1.5L
52.9K
Miles
Petrol
Semi Auto
Estate

M J Wearing

01993463430 *

Volkswagen Passat2017 - 2.0 BiTDI BlueMotion Tech GT Estate 5dr Diesel DSG 4Motion Euro 6 (s/s) (24

Low Mileage

£15,996

Finance available £342 pm

2L
61.7K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 (70) - 2.0 TDI EVO SCR SEL 5dr

£14,295

2L
77.8K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

V12 Sports and Classics Hinckley

01455244504 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 2.0 TDI SE Business 5dr DSG

£9,450

Finance available £189 pm

2L
110.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

SMV MOTORS

02892791555 *

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

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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

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