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Used car guide
Used Volkswagen Jetta: the years to buy and the years to skip
Every Volkswagen Jetta from 2011 to 2025, across 2 generations: what each year typically sells for (about $6,000 to $25,500), its crash rating, and whether it's a year to target or skip. The best bets are 2011–2018, 2020–2025. Look harder at or skip 2019.
2019–2025 Volkswagen Jetta
A roomy, efficient compact sedan, plus a sporty GLI version for keen drivers.
Years to target: 2020–2025. Look harder at or skip: 2019. It has an average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13,000 | Look harder | 5 of 5 | ~80,000 |
| 2020 | $14,500 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~70,000 |
| 2021 | $16,000 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~60,000 |
| 2022 | $18,000 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~50,000 |
| 2023 | $20,000 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~40,000 |
| 2024 | $22,500 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~30,000 |
| 2025 | $25,500* | Target | 5 of 5 | ~20,000 |
* Estimated from nearby years, since few were listed for sale.
Worth knowing
- 2019: owner complaints spike (548, mostly the transmission).
- Cabin plastics feel budget grade. The base engine is tuned for economy, so choose the GLI if you want real performance.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Look for the SE: it adds heated front seats, keyless access and blind-spot monitoring over the S. Apple CarPlay is standard throughout.
On the test drive
Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: standard from the start of this generation (2019).
- Adaptive cruise control: optional from 2019, never standard in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: standard from the start of this generation (2019).
Also worth comparing at this price
- Toyota Corolla 2021–2023 · $17,500–$20,500
- Toyota Prius 2018–2020 · $17,000–$20,500
- Acura ILX 2017 · $19,500
Find one near you
2011–2018 Volkswagen Jetta
A roomy compact sedan with a huge trunk and turbo gas, diesel or hybrid power.
Years to target: 2011–2018. It has an average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | $6,000 | Target | 4 of 5 | ~150,000 |
| 2012 | $6,500 | Target | 4 of 5 | ~140,000 |
| 2013 | $7,000 | Target | 4 of 5 | ~130,000 |
| 2014 | $8,000 | Target | 4 of 5 | ~120,000 |
| 2015 | $8,500 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~110,000 |
| 2016 | $9,500 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~100,000 |
| 2017 | $10,000* | Target | 5 of 5 | ~90,000 |
| 2018 | $11,000* | Target | 5 of 5 | ~85,000 |
* Estimated from nearby years, since few were listed for sale.
Worth knowing
- Cheaper trims used a slow base engine and rear drum brakes. TDI diesels were part of the emissions buyback, so confirm the fix was done.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Target an SE with the 1.4- or 1.8-liter turbo: it skips the slow base 2.0 and adds heated seats and nicer features. 2016 and newer bring Apple CarPlay.
On the test drive
On a hybrid, ask for a battery health check. Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: optional from 2016, never standard in this generation.
- Adaptive cruise control: optional from 2016, never standard in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: not standard in this generation, so check the listing.
Also worth comparing at this price
- Toyota Corolla 2011–2012 · $8,000–$9,000
- Acura TSX 2010–2011 · $7,500–$8,500
- Toyota Yaris 2015–2017 · $7,500–$8,500
Find one near you
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Prices are typical dealer and private asking prices from used listings, collected in September and October 2026, for an average-mileage car. Years with too few listings are estimated from nearby years. Crash ratings, recalls and owner complaint counts come from NHTSA public records. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy. Spot something off? Let us know.