Item: Used Volkswagen Passat Estate 2015-present
Rating: 5
Author: What Car? Team

<p>The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/mondeo/estate/used-review/n941">Ford Mondeo Estate</a> was once the go-to car in this class, as it’s big, great to drive and reasonably refined. It’s good value for money, too, whether new or used, and reliable and relatively cheap to run. Although the Skoda Superb Estate has stolen some of its thunder over recent years, being bigger in the rear, the Mondeo is still a force to be reckoned with.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/superb/estate/used-review/n916">Skoda Superb Estate</a> offers an unbeatable mix of space and, new or used, value. It’s massive inside, even bigger than the Passat and the Mondeo, with a class-leading boot. It’s great to drive, comfortable, well equipped and good value used.</p>

<p><strong>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html"><strong>here</strong></a></p>

<p><strong>Page 5 of 5</strong></p>


What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Rear wheel bearing housing</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">The metal housing surrounding the rear wheel bearings of Passats built between 21 and 29 August 2017 might fracture in extreme circumstances. You may notice an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the car and uneven tyre wear. If left, there is also the possibility that a wheel could fall off. Check with a Volkswagen dealer to make sure this recall has been carried out.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Sunroof trim</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">A small number of cars built from 2 November 2015 to 31 May 2017 could have a problem with the sunroof trim which hasn't been bonded correctly to the frame. Any VW dealer will be able to tell you if your car is affected and sort out the issue for you.&nbsp;</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Too little engine torque at low speed</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">A software update is required on examples made between 9 October 2018 and 28 May 2019 in order to increase the amount of torque the engine provides at low speeds to improve drivability.&nbsp;</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Airbag and seatbelt tensioners</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">A problem with the airbags and seatbelt tensioners on examples made between 1 May and 31 October 2016 could mean that they don't perform effectively in a collision, increasing the risk of injury to occupants. Check with your dealer to find out if this recall applies to your car because all the faulty parts will need to be replaced.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Headrests</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">There have been two recalls related to head restraints. The first is for a faulty spring in examples manufactured between 5 to 18 May 2018, and the second is for the locking mechanism in the front headrests that might not function correctly in examples made from 14 Feb to 31 March 2018 and will need to be replaced. Speak to a Volkswagen dealer for further information.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Lights may fail without warning</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">An issue with the programming of the onboard supply control unit means the driver may not be warned of a light bulb having failed in some examples constructed between 1 June 2015 and 31 October 2016. It’s also possible for a message to pop up suggesting there’s a fault when there isn’t. Find out from your nearest dealer if your car is affected because new software will need to be installed to fix the problem.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Child lock failure</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">The child locks on some examples made between 25 November 2015 and 14 April 2016 might disengage without warning and allow occupants to open the rear doors. If your car is affected, a technician will need to inspect the locks and install new ones if they’re found to be faulty.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Seat backrest</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">There have been two recalls relating to the rear seat backrest. A small number of Passats built between 1 May and 31 August 2018 may have been fitted with seats where the welds on the backrest head restraint mounting could fail in an accident. A further recall&nbsp;was issued for&nbsp;cars made between 12-22 February 2019, again for faulty welds on the rear seat frame. In both cases, your Volkswagen dealer should be able to tell you if your car requires a replacement seat frame to solve the problem.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Electronic stability program (ESP) may fail</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">A problem with the hardware of the ESP system of examples made between 20 May and 30 June 2015 could cause this safety feature to malfunction and compromise safety. It only applies to a small number of cars, but check with your local VW dealer to make sure it has been taken care of.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Panoramic sunroof</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">The anti-trap feature on the panoramic sunroof may not kick in if the glass panel is being closed from outside the vehicle when using the global close function from the key. It applies to Passats fitted with a panoramic roof that were built between 17 February 2015 and 15 February 2016, and cars that are affected will need to have the global close function removed from the panoramic roof in order to prevent possible injuries.</p>


<p>The Passat did get a good score of 92.1% in the Executive car class in our most recent reliability survey, but rivals such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/superb/estate/used-review/n916">Skoda Superb</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/mondeo/estate/used-review/n941">Ford Mondeo</a>&nbsp;did better.&nbsp;Volkswagen as a brand finished in 20th&nbsp;place, out of 31&nbsp;manufacturers, in the same survey.</p>

<p>If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2019-what-car-reliability-survey/n20042">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>&nbsp;pages for more information.</p>

<p><strong>Page 3 of 5</strong></p>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>


Estate

<p dir="ltr">The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.</p>

<p dir="ltr">However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.</p>


VOLKSWAGEN

PASSAT

<p>The VW Passat Estate has a vast boot, lots of kit and space for all the family. It’s an excellent estate car and a great used buy</p>


Used Volkswagen Passat Estate 2015-present

<h3><strong>MPG</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">For a car of such size and space, the Passat Estate is remarkably economical. The most economical of which is the 1.6 TDI Bluemotion at 70.6mpg, while the non-Bluemotion version gets 68.9mpg. The popular 148bhp 2.0 TDI did 65.7mpg followed by the 187bhp version that did 61.4mpg. A twin-turbo BiTDI was much thirstier at 48.7mpg.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">Early GTE models came with 9kWh battery pack with an electric range of 20-25 miles and economy of 156.9mpg. Later models from 2019 onwards got a bigger 13kWh pack that upped the electric-only range to 34 miles and got fuel economy up to 206.7mpg. The chances of you really achieving either figure in mixed use is undeniably slim, unless you regularly plug your car in.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Petrol models understandably get worse fuel economy, but both versions of the 1.4 TSI are pretty decent at 54.3mpg. The only other options available at the time were the 1.8 TSI that achieved 46.3mpg, or the 218bhp 2.0 TSI that did 44.1mpg.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">Post-WLTP engines were tested under a different system and&nbsp;their figures are a lot lower, but each&nbsp;should be more achievable in the real world. The 1.5 TSI is best at 45.6mpg, followed by the 187bhp 2.0-litre at 36.2mpg and the 268bhp 2.0 TSI with 33.2mpg.&nbsp;</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>CO2 emissions</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">Not all the engine options available in the Passat were available before the 1 April 2017 tax change, so we’re only concentrating on the ones that were here.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">Both 1.4 TSI petrol engines did well with emissions of 120g/km, with the 218bhp 2.0 TSI putting out 149g/km. A plug-in hybrid GTE would be even better at just 40g/km.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The standard 1.6 TDI emits 107g/km, while the Bluemotion version barely betters this with 104g/km. Of the three 2.0 TDI engines available at the time, the 148bhp got 110g/km; the 187bhp version put out 120g/km, while the 241bhp BiTDI model spits out 140g/km.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Car tax</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">Road tax for all models registered before 1 April 2017 will vary depending on the emissions the engine produces (see above for more information), while examples registered after this date will render owners liable to pay a flat-rate fee. Be aware that if you go for a GTE Advance you’re likely to incur an additional fee since it cost more than £40,000 when new. Fortunately, this yearly additional fee only lasts between the second and sixth years of the vehicle's age, then it goes back to the flat-rate fee. To find out more about the current<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/car-tax-changes-in-2019-%E2%80%93-what-do-i-need-to-know/n1153"> road tax costs, click here</a> for further information.</p>

<h3 dir="ltr"><strong>Servicing costs</strong></h3>

<p dir="ltr">Servicing is required every 10,000 miles or annually, and the costs are competitive with rivals. A minor service costs £184 and a major one is £354, at the time of writing. Be aware that any example fitted with an automatic gearbox (usually called DSG)&nbsp;will need to have its oil&nbsp;changed at regular intervals in order to keep it working correctly. At the moment, it should cost you £199.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Page 2 of 5</strong></p>

<h3>&nbsp;</h3>


The VW Passat Estate has a vast boot, lots of kit and space for all the family. It’s an excellent estate car and a great used buy


<p dir="ltr">You can get high-mileage ones for around £6000, but prices start at around £9000 for a late 2015 1.6 TDI S, whether in Bluemotion attire or not, with an above or average mileage for the year, bought from a trader or an independent dealer.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">Moving up to the £13,000 level and you’ll find a 2017 example with one of the more capable the 2.0-litre diesel engines. A year-old Passat advertised at a main dealer can be found for £19,000.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The plug-in hybrid GTE isn’t as common on the used market, not least helped by the fact it didn’t really arrive until 2017. Due to this, expect to pay at least £17,000 for one that’s got plenty of miles on the clock. Examples that have covered an average number of miles are more like £23,000.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Check the value of a used Volkswagen Passat with<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-valuation/"> What Car? Valuations</a></strong></p>


<h3><strong>Engine</strong></h3>

<p>Despite a number of good petrol options, diesels are still the biggest sellers for the Passat and make up the majority of those in the used market. We’d recommend the more flexible 148bhp 2.0 diesel. It’s punchy enough to offer satisfying pace and easy overtaking when you want, and pulls willingly from low revs. So much so that it’s not worth paying extra for the more powerful 188bhp version.</p>

<p>The plug-in hybrid GTE would only be worthwhile if you had easy access to a charger either at home or at the office in order to reduce your reliance on petrol power.</p>

<h3><strong>Specification</strong></h3>

<p>Entry-level S trim is a little sparse for our liking, so we’d go with SE trim for additional goodies. Go for SE Nav or SE Business if sat-nav is a priority. SEL&nbsp;and R-line trims get progressively more luxurious but do up the price on the used forecourts.</p>

<p><strong>Our favourite VW Passat Estate:</strong> 2.0 TDI 150 SE</p>

<p><strong>Page 4 of 5</strong></p>


<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

<p>If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.</p>

<p>Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.</p>

<p>There are some terrific estates at most price ranges. The humble Skoda Fabia Estate offers cavernous space for not much cash at all, for example.</p>

<p>Further up the price range, another of our perennial favourites is the Skoda Superb Estate;&nbsp;it’s great to drive and as practical as most people should ever need. Meanwhile, for serious mile-munching ability and a premium, well-finished interior, it’s hard to look beyond the BMW 5 Series Touring.</p>

<p>It’s a large car so check the bodywork extremities for any scuffs picked up in supermarket car parks. Check the alloy wheels too, for kerb damage. Make sure the rear seats fold and raise as they should, and that the electric operation of the rear tailgate, if fitted, works as it should. The interior is durable and hard-wearing, but you should check all the electrical systems thoroughly. It’s also worth checking the suspension carefully, especially if you plan to carry or tow heavy loads.</p>


<p dir="ltr">The VW Passat Estate has been around in various guises for more than 40 years and eight generations, making it a staple of the used car market. In that time, it’s grown noticeably bigger and gone deliberately upmarket, so much so that this latest version is nearly large enough to house another Passat within its capacious boot and plush enough to rival the best from <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/bmw">BMW</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/mercedes-benz">Mercedes</a> for luxury.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Underneath, it shares its underpinnings with many of the other cars in the VW Group which means there’s a good choice of engines. Your petrol options (badged TSI) start with either a 124bhp or 148bhp 1.4-litre, a 178bhp 1.8-litre, and a storming 2.0-litre unit with 187, 218 or 268bhp. There’s also a hybrid GTE version, utilising a 1.4-litre petrol engine and an electric motor to produce a combined 215bhp and some outstanding on-paper economy figures. The post-2019 petrol range starts with the 148bhp 1.5.</p>

<p dir="ltr">However, most people buy diesel Passats, and again, you have plenty of options. They start with a 118bhp 1.6-litre TDI and move up to a larger 2.0-litre TDI engine, initially offered in 148bhp, 187bhp and twin-turbo 241bhp versions. In 2020, both the 1.6 and twin-turbo 2.0-litre were dropped, with a less powerful 120bhp 2.0-litre TDI replacing the smaller engine.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">There’s plenty of choice in trim levels, too. Even entry-level SE trim provides plenty of gadgets, including the infotainment system mentioned earlier, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, front centre armrest and keyless start, plus height and lumbar adjustment on both front seats. Moving up to SEL adds LED headlights and tinted rear glass, as well as adaptive cruise control and infotainment upgrades. The R-Line adds a panoramic roof and steering-wheel-mounted gear shifters, plus bigger wheels and sporty styling upgrades. It’s a significant step up in price, though, and we wouldn’t bother making it unless these features are particularly important to you.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The off-road Alltrack model is a well-equipped stand-alone trim for the semi-rugged four-wheel-drive models and includes sat-nav, 18in alloy wheels, some fairly obvious, chunky exterior styling cues – <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/passat-alltrack/estate/review/n17255">you can find out more about the Alltrack here</a>.</p>

<p dir="ltr">On the road, the 1.6 TDI diesel is an adequate performer, but only if you work it hard. The more powerful 187bhp 2.0 TDI variant is worth opting for if you want more assertive acceleration, while top of the range R-Line (and the limited-edition R-Line Edition) models get the option of a 237bhp 2.0 BiTDI engine teamed with four-wheel drive, and put simply, it&nbsp;goes like stink.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">The 178bhp 2.0 TSI should be plenty muscular for most; it pulls strongly from low engine speeds and has enough clout to haul five people and their luggage around with ease. Finally, there’s the top-spec 268bhp 2.0 TSI petrol; if you’re looking for something quick but also effortless, this engine, with its strong yet linear power delivery, will satisfy you. It’s only available on the R-Line Edition trim level, though.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">Generally, the Passat Estate is good to drive, with a spot-on driving position, and, despite a firm ride, it’s a comfortable car to travel in. The interior’s classy and it’s also massive, so there’s plenty of space for five, and then there’s that huge boot, too, which is only beaten for overall size by the humongous <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/superb/estate/used-review/n916">Skoda Superb Estate</a>.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Passat Estate received a mild facelift in 2019. The bumpers and lights were tweaked, with LED lights becoming standard across the range, and there were new wheel designs and colour options. But the more significant changes concerned technology, with a raft of assistance and connectivity upgrades. The headline arrival with the 2019 facelift, other than the new engines,&nbsp; was a semi-autonomous autopilot system capable of operating at higher speeds. Dubbed Travel Assist, this can actively steer the Passat at speeds of up to 130mph (where permitted)&nbsp;– a big advance on the 25mph limit of the Traffic Jam Assist system on the pre-2019 cars.</p>

<p dir="ltr">If you're interested in finding a used Passat, or any of the other estates mentioned here, head over to the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars"> Used Car Buying</a> pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><strong>Page 1 of 5</strong></p>


Used Volkswagen Passat Estate 2015-present review

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Volkswagen Passat estate?