Used Volkswagen Passat for sale: everything you need to know

The Volkswagen Passat is the kind of car you can cram to the roof with people and luggage, then drive many hundreds of miles in a day without you or the car breaking sweat. The practical Volkswagen Passat will happily do that every single day of its life. If you need a car that can work very hard for its living, this is one of the best choices. Here, you’ll find out everything you need to know about a used Volkswagen Passat, including a full breakdown of the model range. 

Other large estate cars to consider include the smart Mazda 6 Tourer, the great-looking Peugeot 508 SW and the luxury Skoda Superb. The Volkswagen Passat makes a strong case for itself with its vast boot, robustness and value for money.

From 2023, the Passat was only sold new as an estate car, but there is also the saloon that makes a very fine used choice. Take a look at a Volkswagen Passat for sale on heycar to discover just what’s on offer.

Should you buy a Volkswagen Passat?

If you’re considering the Volkswagen Passat as a saloon or estate, you’re probably very interested in practicality. ‘Cavernous’ is probably the best word for the Estate's boot. With a capacity of 650 litres, it’s one of the largest boots of any estate car. Shaped like a big, square box, it has a low loading lip and a wide opening, so you’ll find it easy to pack stuff in. There are various hooks and tie-down loops to secure loads, too. Fold the back seats down and the cargo area is two metres long. Check out the saloon's and it's also very generous.

There’s generous space for five adults as well. The Volkswagen Passat is quiet and comfortable to travel in, very robust, there are loads of standard features, the engines provide ample power and it’s easy to drive. It’s even quite stylish, in a subtle sort of way. It’s a bit of a cliche to call any car a great all-rounder, but the Volkswagen Passat genuinely is. Whatever the situation, whatever type of journey you’re embarking upon, the Volkswagen Passat has it covered.

Running costs are low, especially if you get a diesel model, which can manage more than 50mpg. The plug-in hybrid’s low CO2 emissions can offer big savings, too.

Volkswagen has a strong reputation for building reliable cars, so the Volkswagen Passat should be trouble-free to own.

A Volkswagen Passat not for you? We've got 1000s of used cars for sale to suit all budgets and needs.

What's the best used Volkswagen Passat model to buy?

The best Volkswagen Passat for you depends on what you’re intending on using it for. If you’re going to be doing lots of motorway miles then it’s impossible to ignore the long-legged ease and superb fuel consumption offered by the diesel models, and, in particular something like the 150PS 2.0-litre TDI EVO SCR. With the six-speed manual you’ll be able to get in the 60mpg sphere on a long cruise, though we’d take a bit of a hit – around 3-4mpg – and opt for the seven-speed DSG with the same engine, for the ease it brings. 

Earlier versions could be had with the more affordable 1.6-litre TDI diesel, which offers acceptable performance but might feel a little underpowered if regularly loaded up with luggage and people. On a gentle cruise it will soar past 60mpg quite easily, but because it needs to be worked harder to get up to speed, so there's little difference in mixed driving between the 1.6 and 2.0-litre. 

The TSI turbocharged petrol engines are impressively economical, if not yet in the same league as their diesel alternatives, but if you’re after a Passat that’ll spend more time on shorter drives then the 150PS 1.5 TSI EVO is a fine choice - or prior to that engine joining the range, the 150PS 1.4 TSI. There is a 125PS version of that engine, but again it'll need working hard if you're regularly carrying lots of passengers. 

If you can stretch to it, the plug-in hybrid GTE is well worth considering, too. As for trim, all Passats come well specified, but the best balance of connectivity and comfort is the SEL model. Style-focused buyers may prefer the extra exterior glamour of the R-Line model, though. 

Used Volkswagen Passat fuel economy and performance

The Volkswagen Passat is available with petrol, diesel or plug-in hybrid powertrains. The extensive range of petrol and diesel engines was narrowed down to the 1.5-litre TSI petrol and 2.0 TDI diesel, both with 150PS later in the car's life. You can choose between six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearboxes. Plug-in hybrid models have a 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine combined with an electric motor and the DSG auto gearbox. It’s the most fuel-efficient Volkswagen Passat, but is pricier.

• Volkswagen Passat 1.4 TSI 125 petrol – As with the more potent 150PS version, this 1.4 turbo petrol could be had with six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG auto transmissions. In this guise with te manual gearbox, the 1.4 can turn in 51.4mpg and 127g/km Co2 emissions, alongside 0-62mph in 9.9 seconds. In our view, the 150PS 1.4 TSI is the better bet all round.
• Volkswagen Passat 1.4 TSI 150 petrol – Fitted in a variety of trims in the Passat, this versatile smaller capacity petrol could take the VW from 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds while delivering combined economy claimed at 55.4mpg. Carbon dioxide emissions are a very decent 119g/km.
• Volkswagen Passat 1.8 TSI 180 petrol – Available in GT and R-Line trims, the 1.8 turbo petrol offers 180PS for 0-62mph in a swift 7.9 seconds. It can return 46.3mpg and emits 137g/km of CO2.
• Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TSI 220 petrol – Only offered in GT trim and with a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox, this engine has 220PS. That's enough for 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds and 152mph, while fuel economy comes in at a decent 44.1mpg along with 149g/km of CO2 emissions.
• Volkswagen Passat 1.5 TSI petrol – This version of the Volkswagen Passat has VW’s hugely popular 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which is found in many cars made by Volkswagen Group brands. Here, it produces 150PS and is available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox. In either case, 0-62mph takes 8.9 seconds and CO2 emissions can be as low as 143g/km.
• Volkswagen Passat 1.6 TDI diesel – One for the frugally minded buyers, the 1.6 TDi has 120PS and can provide a combined economy stated at 67.3mpg. In real world driving, that's about 60mpg, while 110g/km are appealing. Just don't expect a ball of fire when it comes to acceleration, which takes 11.0 seconds to get from 0-62mph.
• Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI diesel – Diesel power may not be as popular as it used to be, but it still makes sense in a large car like the Volkswagen Passat, which many owners will cover big mileages in. Here, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine produces 150PS. It’s available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Zero to 62mph takes around nine seconds and CO2 emissions can be as low as 127g/km.
• Volkswagen Passat 2.0 BiTDi diesel – With two turbochargers instead of just one, this diesel is a strong performer. With 240PS on hand, it could see off 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds and was offered with four-wheel drive to make the most of its power. Emissions of 156g/km are less impressive.
• Volkswagen Passat 1.4 TSI petrol plug-in hybrid – Found only in GTE models, the plug-in hybrid Volkswagen Passat uses a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor to produce a combined 218PS. A seven-speed DSG dual-clutch automatic gearbox is fitted as standard. It’s both the quickest and most efficient Volkswagen Passat you can buy: 0-62mph takes 7.6 seconds and CO2 emissions are from 27g/km. You can also travel up to 37 miles on battery power alone.

What used Volkswagen Passat trim levels are available?

The Volkswagen Passat is available in several trim levels. SE Nav is the entry-point, while SEL is more luxurious and R-Line has a sporty look.

Meanwhile, GTE models have plug-in hybrid power and combine many of the features found in SEL and R-Line models with a unique package of styling details.

The current version of the Volkswagen Passat has been on sale in the UK since 2015 and received a facelift in 2019. From 2023, the Passat was only offered new as an Estate in the UK.

• Volkswagen Passat SE – The original starting block of the Passat range comes with Post-Collision Braking System and mis-fuelling prevention, Front Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Crash system, Driver Profile Selection, Ergo Comfort seats, and front and rear parking sensors.
• Volkswagen Passat SE Nav – This Volkswagen Passat comes pretty well equipped. Sat-nav is included among the standard features, as the name suggests, plus you get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, air conditioning, adaptive cruise control and front and rear parking sensors. Petrol and diesel engines are available, with a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes.
• Volkswagen Passat SE Business – Discover Navigation comes with the the SE Business, which was aimed at company drivers as the name suggests.
• Volkswagen Passat SEL – The mid-range Volkswagen Passat gains more upmarket styling details, leather seat upholstery and heated front seats. It’s available with the same engine and gearbox combinations as the SE Nav.
• Volkswagen Passat GT – Heated Alcantara seats, three-zone climate control and 18-inch wheels are standard on GT.
• Volkswagen Passat R-Line – The R-Line adds a sporty-looking bodykit and cranks up the luxuriousness another couple of notches with Nappa leather upholstery, three-zone climate control and some more driver assistance features, including traffic jam assist. You can have petrol or diesel power, but only with an automatic gearbox. 
• Volkswagen Passat GTE – The GTE is a plug-in hybrid and has many of the features found on the SEL and R-Line models, including leather seats and three-zone climate control. It also has GTE-specific styling details, including blue highlights that make it easy to spot. 
• Volkswagen Passat GTE Advance – Yet more technology is included in the top-of-the-range plug-in hybrid Volkswagen Passat, including matrix LED headlights, keyless entry and a digital instrument display.

Used Volkswagen Passat dimensions and boot size

The Volkswagen Passat’s exterior dimensions are:

• Length: 4767mm saloon, 4773mm Estate
• Width: 1832mm
• Height: 1476mm saloon, 1516mm Estate

The Volkswagen Passat’s boot capacity is:

• Rear seats up: 586 litres saloon, 650 litres Estate
• Rear seats folded down: 1152 litres saloon, 1780 litres Estate

Used Volkswagen Passat road tax

If you're concerned about road tax costs with a Volkswagen Passat registered prior to 1 April 2017, it's best to seek out the 1.6 TDI as it will cost from as little as £20 per year. With cars put on the road after that date, all will cost the same £180 flat rate at the time of writing, with the exception of the GTE that is discounted to £170 for 12 months duty.

How much is it to insure a Volkswagen Passat?

Petrol and diesel Volkswagen Passat models are rated in insurance groups 20 to 22 (out of 50 groups in total), so they shouldn’t be too expensive to insure. The plug-in hybrid GTE models are a bit further up the scale, in groups 26 to 29, because they are more powerful and also more complex – so they could cost more to repair.

Read our full Volkswagen Passat review