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.

799 Used Volkswagen Passat cars for sale

Volkswagen Passat2016 - 1.6 TDI S 5dr

£7,650

Finance available £149 pm

1.6L
101.5K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Campbell Trade Sales

02890023194 *

Volkswagen Passat2025 (25) - 1.5 TSI eHybrid 272 R-Line 5dr DSG

£53,990

1.5L
10.0
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Listers Volkswagen Evesham

01386571259 *

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 Passat2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI GT DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£12,499

Finance available £257 pm

1.4L
72.3K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Thornbury Car Centre

01454800976 *

Volkswagen Passat2018 (18) - 1.4 TSI GT Estate 5dr Petrol DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Low Mileage

£14,000

Finance available £296 pm

1.4L
52.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Big Motoring World Peterborough

01733971423 *

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

£15,199

Finance available £317 pm

1.4L
83.8K
Miles
Hybrid
Automatic
Estate

Wearside Autoparc

01913002146 *

0/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI SE Business 4dr DSG

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
74.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

ANDOVER CAR SALES LIMITED

01722445409 *

5/5 Stars

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

£14,795

Finance available £321 pm

2L
44.6K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Motor Range Liverpool

01515417938 *

4.6/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2015 (65) - 2.0 TDI SE Business 5dr ++ SAT NAV / 20 TAX / ULEZ / DAB / 9 SERVICES

£9,275

Finance available £185 pm

2L
80.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Nick King Car Sales (Gloucester)

01452227299 *

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

Low Mileage

£7,750

Finance available £151 pm

2L
77.7K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Car Planet Watford

01923927636 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2019 (19) - 1.5 TSI EVO SE Business DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

Reduced

£10,000

Finance available £201 pm

1.5L
97.4K
Miles
Petrol
Automatic
Estate

Star Cars London

02037726236 *

3.7/5 Stars

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 - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech SE Business 5-Door

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

2L
77.9K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

A&S Motors UK

01616944537 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2019 (69) - 1.6 TDI SE Nav Saloon 4dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (120 ps)

£12,995

1.6L
60.5K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Saloon

Luton Trade Centre

01582280724 *

4.5/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2014 (14) - 2.0 TDI Bluemotion Tech R-Line 5dr

£7,999

Finance available £156 pm

2L
92.3K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Parc Lane Cars Ltd

01913232948 *

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

Low Mileage

£8,995

Finance available £179 pm

1.6L
67.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Kemberton Car Sales

01952446073 *

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

£12,481

Finance available £262 pm

2L
74.9K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Estate

Carbase - Bristol

01172331396 *

4.4/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2019 (55) - 1.6 TDI SEL Estate 5dr Diesel DSG Euro 6 (s/s) (120 ps)

Low Mileage

£19,995

Finance available £390 pm

1.6L
28.0K
Miles
Diesel
Automatic
Estate

Paul Williamson Cars Ltd

01343612230 *

4.8/5 Stars

Volkswagen Passat2021 (21) - 2.0 TDI EVO SE Nav Euro 6 (s/s) 4dr

£11,595

Finance available £237 pm

2L
94.6K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Right Hand Motor Ltd

01992660275 *

Volkswagen Passat2016 (16) - 2.0 TDI BlueMotion Tech GT Saloon 4dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (150 ps)

Reduced

£9,250

2L
81.0K
Miles
Diesel
Manual
Saloon

Macfadyen Motors

01324462915 *

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