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Used car guide
Used Volkswagen Passat: the years to buy and the years to skip
Every Volkswagen Passat from 2012 to 2022: what each year typically sells for (about $7,000 to $18,000), its crash rating, and whether it's a year to target or skip. The best bets are 2016–2022. Look harder at or skip 2012–2015.
2012–2022 Volkswagen Passat
A very roomy midsize sedan with huge rear legroom and a big trunk.
Years to target: 2016–2022. Look harder at or skip: 2012–2015. It has an average reliability record.
| Year | Typical price | Verdict | Crash rating | Typical miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | $7,000 | Look harder | 5 of 5 | ~170,000 |
| 2013 | $7,500 | Look harder | 5 of 5 | ~155,000 |
| 2014 | $8,500 | Look harder | 5 of 5 | ~145,000 |
| 2015 | $9,000 | Look harder | 5 of 5 | ~135,000 |
| 2016 | $10,000 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~120,000 |
| 2017 | $11,000 | Target | 5 of 5 | ~110,000 |
| 2018 | $12,000 | Target | 4 of 5 | ~100,000 |
| 2019 | $13,500 | Target | 4 of 5 | ~90,000 |
| 2020 | $14,500* | Target | 4 of 5 | ~75,000 |
| 2021 | $16,500* | Target | 4 of 5 | ~65,000 |
| 2022 | $18,000* | Target | 4 of 5 | ~55,000 |
* Estimated from nearby years, since few were listed for sale.
Worth knowing
- 2012: owner complaints spike (483, mostly the airbags).
- 2013: owner complaints spike (748, mostly the airbags).
- 2014: owner complaints spike (594, mostly the airbags).
- 2015: owner complaints spike (243, mostly the airbags).
- Diesel models were part of the emissions buyback. The design saw few updates, so tech and cabin feel dated in later years.
The trim we'd park in our garage
Target the SE: it adds upgraded upholstery, a sunroof and keyless access over the S. Choose 2016 or newer for Apple CarPlay and available blind-spot monitoring.
On the test drive
Get a pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you buy.
Safety tech
- Automatic emergency braking: standard from 2020, optional from 2016.
- Adaptive cruise control: optional from 2016, never standard in this generation.
- Blind-spot monitoring: standard from 2020.
Also worth comparing at this price
- Toyota Camry 2015–2017 · $12,000–$14,500
- Honda Accord 2015–2016 · $13,000–$14,500
- Toyota Corolla 2015–2017 · $12,500–$14,500
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.