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VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2020)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 3,693 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,777

£148/month

MOT Pass Rate

91%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1800cc Petrol

Great Choice

91% pass rate, £1777/year to run. 9 points above average.

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Petrol1800cc6 years old3,693 tests51k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1800cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200
Total per year£1,777
Per month£148/mo
Per week£34/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

91% MOT pass rate(Excellent)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 9 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the VOLKSWAGEN brand average of 85%.

At 6 years old, 91% of VOLKSWAGEN PASSATs from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 3,693 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 51,051 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 cars1522th of 2,596(top 59%)
Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models377th of 1,118(top 34%)
vs national average+9%(82% avg)
vs 2020 cars average-1%(92% avg)
vs VOLKSWAGEN average+6%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

51,051

Average miles

vs

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT has 51,051 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2023 model with a 96% MOT pass rate, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 68%. The 2020 sits between the two at 91%.

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202396%11528,795 mi
202295%11232,575 mi
202188%2,88348,544 mi
202091%3,69351,051 mi
201990%10,40164,414 mi
201889%17,76578,744 mi
201787%23,60491,978 mi
201686%25,422104,333 mi
201585%26,110113,668 mi
201481%26,568119,255 mi
201379%22,147127,390 mi
201278%25,128136,337 mi
201177%30,407143,692 mi
201076%21,533142,381 mi
200977%21,442142,464 mi
200875%17,841148,772 mi
200774%15,448152,684 mi
200672%10,368152,502 mi
200574%7,453156,295 mi
200473%6,247161,943 mi
200372%5,106162,240 mi
200272%3,237159,288 mi
200172%1,897161,435 mi
200068%891164,572 mi
199971%1,147167,995 mi
199871%946154,291 mi
199777%256150,194 mi
199684%142140,487 mi
199568%107149,628 mi
199473%86126,099 mi
199385%94188,041 mi
199276%83145,928 mi
199173%49149,661 mi
199081%54146,491 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

The 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT is a family car with a 1800cc petrol engine. 3,693 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 51,051 miles at 6 years old, VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Fuel Costs

The 1800cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,777 148/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 91% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Reliability Trend

Newer VOLKSWAGEN PASSATs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

At 6 years old, the VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2023 model has the highest pass rate at 96%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 6 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2020 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT(2020)91%£1327£195Grp 18-32£1777
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019)92%£1137£190Grp 12-25£1582-£195
VAUXHALL CORSA(2018)85%£1137£190Grp 8-20£1732-£45
FORD KUGA(2018)90%£1137£190Grp 12-25£1582-£195
MINI COOPER(2018)92%£1137£190Grp 12-25£1582-£195

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Volkswagen Models

Explore other Volkswagen cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Volkswagen Passat.

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