Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A (2020)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 124 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,852

£154/month

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1968cc Diesel

Great Choice

90% pass rate, £1,852/year to run. 8 points above average.

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Diesel1968cc6 years old124 tests40k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1968cc)

~48 mpg

£1,397

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,852

Per month£154/mo

Per week£36/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

90% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Volkswagen brand average of 85%.

90% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-As from 2020 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 4 years old. That's based on 124 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 39,709 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 models1846th of 2,554(bottom half)

Rank among Volkswagen models461st of 1,086(top half)

vs average of all models+8%(82% avg)

vs 2020 models average-2%(92% avg)

vs Volkswagen average+5%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

39,709

Average miles

29,600

Expected for age

The average 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A had 39,709 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 96%, while the 2020 model has the lowest at 90%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	96%	105	37,959 mi
2020	90%	124	39,709 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Golf

2018 · 1968cc Diesel

£1,852/year

92%

+2%

Ford Focus

2019 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,824/year

89%

-1%

Volkswagen Polo

2018 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,824/year

84%

-6%

Ford Kuga

2019 · 1997cc Diesel

£1,852/year

91%

+1%

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About the 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A

The 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A is a family car. Our records list a 1968cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 124 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2020, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 39,709 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A Fuel Costs

The 1968cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,397 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,852 (£154/month), broken down as £1,397 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Buying a Used 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A

At 6 years old, the Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Medium risk

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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 R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A(2020)	90%	£1,397	£200	Grp 18-32	£1,852
Volkswagen Golf(2018)	92%	£1,397	£200	Grp 18-32	£1,852same
Ford Focus(2019)	89%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,824-£28
Volkswagen Polo(2018)	84%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,824-£28
Ford Kuga(2019)	91%	£1,397	£200	Grp 18-32	£1,852same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A

Is the 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 90% of MOT tests on 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-As ended in a pass, from 124 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,852 a year (£154 a month): £1,397 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A?

90% of 124 MOT tests on the 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1846th of 2,554 models first registered in 2020 (bottom half).

Which year Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A has the highest MOT pass rate at 96% and the 2020 the lowest at 90%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2020 Volkswagen Passat R-Line TDI 4MOTION S-A is 39,709 miles, which is above the expected 29,600 miles for a 4-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.