The 2013 Volkswagen Passat lasts around 250,000 miles with only minor fuel pump and stereo system issues. At $9,946 to $12,164, it’s a good value for an entry-level European sedan with plenty of room for passengers.
Is the 2013 Volkswagen Passat a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – We give it a high overall score based on it’s good reliability, safety scores, and luxurious interiors for the price. 2013 is a good year for the VW Passat. Owner reviews praise the comfortable cabin, powerful engine, and fuel economy.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are nice for an affordable midsize car. The seats are comfortable even for larger people, cargo space is larger than rivals, and the stereo system is easy to use.
- Reliability 8/10 – 2013 is a dependable year for the Passat. Models from 2007–2020 are all excellent choices with no widespread mechanical issues.
- Performance 7/10 – The standard 5-cylinder engine is average, and the V6 offers great power for a sedan.
- Safety 8/10 – The Passat is very safe, earning a perfect 5-star overall rating in government crash tests with 5-stars in the frontal and side impact tests as well.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is great at up to 26 MPG, which should get owners about 480 miles of range out of the 18.5 gallon tank. Fuel costs are about $24 cheaper than average at $181 per month.
- Value 8/10 – Prices are reasonable on the Passat for a German sedan, and you’ll find some upscale features for your money that are missing on sedans in the same price range.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the VW Passat?
- Consumer Reports says the 2013 Passat has an excellent spacious cabin, with above-average owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Passat a 4.3/5 praising the smooth suspension, but doesn’t like the long braking distances.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Passat at 4.5/5 and enjoy the entry-level luxury, but owners don’t like the higher than average repair costs.
What Common Problems Does the 2013 Volkswagen Passat Have?
The most common complaints on the 2013 VW Passat include fuel pump failures, a broken clock spring, and stereo system issues. Overall, these problems are typical for a midsize car from 2013, but the repair costs are higher than most competitors due to the expensive parts.
Fuel pump failures are the most widespread issue reported by owners at around 50,000 miles. The pump overheats and wears out as it ages. Replacing the pump fixes the problem, and costs around $1,200.
A broken clock spring is another complaint owners have with the 2013 Passat, which happens at around 80,000 miles. The clock spring is the cable that goes to the steering wheel, and the spring wears out and breaks. Replacing the clock spring costs about $700, and fixes the issue. In some cases it’s covered by a recall and can be changed for free.
Stereo system issues are also reported by owners in the first 20,000 miles. Owners complain that the stereo is slow, restarts, and is not responsive. There is a software update that VW dealers can install which improves the performance.
There are 8 recalls, average for a midsize car from 2013. The most serious recall is for electrical connectors, which can get water corrosion and short out. Volkswagen will replace the electrical connectors for free, which solves the problem. Many of the other recalls are for air bags which are common on all makes and models.
How Long Will the 2013 Volkswagen Passat Last?
A well-maintained 2013 VW Passat lasts around 250,000 miles, which is only 50,000 miles less than top-rated competitors like the Toyota Camry. Regular annual maintenance costs are higher than average at $724 per year, according to Repair Pal.
Since most 2013 Passat models will have over 100,000 miles, buyers should be prepared to replace items including the air bag crash sensor which costs $400, engine oil level sensor costing $300, and the A/C drier assembly which costs $400 as well.
I runs great and very reliable. I have 80,000 miles on it and I hope to go another 80,000. It does have a few chips in the paint but engine runs great.
As long as the Volkswagen passat has been in the family, there has been no problem whatsoever. It is a great family car, and definitely comfortable during long trips.
It is a reliable vehicle, is a reliable vehicle and the best one I ever had. The best one I ever had.
It is decently reliable. I have had to replace a few components here and there but has been fairly reliable.
It is very reliable, German engineering is superior to most American made cars that I have owned, but the electric door system can definitely be a hassle and it can be expensive to take it to a dealership anytime something besides the oil or brake pads need fixing or replacing.
It is pretty reliable. It’s not a great winter driving car, but overall it’s quite reliable. The clock spring went out on my car, but it was a recall so it is all good and I have not had any other problems!
My Passat has always been reliable. I've never had a problem with it! Low Maintenance and gets me from point a to point b safely.
Is the 2013 Volkswagen Passat a Good Value?
Yes, the 2013 Passat is a good value for a German car. Blue book prices range from $9,946 to $12,164, making it cheaper than other midsize cars like the Honda Accord or Mazda6. When new, the price range was $20,845 to $33,525. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 12% of its current value per year.
How Is the Technology?
The technology is okay in the 2013 Volkswagen Passat compared to other midsize sedans with a nice stereo system for the money, but everything is only average compared to other cars from the same year. There’s no advanced safety features available, which are found on some competitors.
What are the Different Models of the VW Passat?
There are four models of the Passat offered for 2013 from the base S model all the way up to the luxurious SEL.
S is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Keyless Entry
- Cruise Control
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- 6-Speaker Stereo System With 3.5mm AUX
Wolfsburg Edition is a step up, adding:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Leatherette Vinyl Seating
- Power Driver’s Seat
- Heated Front Seats
- USB Connectivity
SE is next in the lineup and adds:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Rear Seat Air Conditioning
- Chrome Exterior Trim
- 8-Speaker Stereo System With Touchscreen
SEL is the luxury model and has:
- Dual Zone Climate Control
- Leather Seating
- Rearview Camera
- Wood Interior Trim
What Engines Come In the VW Passat?
- The base engine is an average 2.5L 5-cylinder which makes 170 horsepower and gets up to 26 MPG.
- A step up is the stronger 3.6L V6 which produces 280 horsepower while getting around 23 MPG. Performance is great, going from 0-60 MPH in 6.4 seconds.
- An available option is the efficient 2.0L 4-cylinder turbodiesel, which generates 140 horsepower while getting up to 35 MPG.
What Colors Does the VW Passat Come In?
How Comfortable Is the VW Passat?
The 2013 VW Passat is a very comfortable midsize sedan offering excellent seats and high quality interior materials.
Passenger space is excellent with plenty of room for taller passengers in the back seats.
How Is the Storage In the VW Passat?
The trunk in the 2013 Passat is larger than many other sedans on the market, with enough space for 4-5 suitcases.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The seventh generation of the VW Passat was introduced in 2012, and replaced by the eighth generation in 2016.
2012: Redesigned exterior, new engine choices added, and more passenger room.
2013: Optional rearview camera available.
2014: New 4-cylinder engine option, and Car-Net stereo system offered.
2015: Slightly more fuel-efficient diesel engine available.
2016: Complete redesign with standard camera, new safety technology, and upgraded interior.
How Does the VW Passat Compare to the Competition?
The Volkswagen Passat is a great midsize sedan if you’re looking to buy an entry-level European car, and it ranks well against other midsize sedans from Japan and America.
The Volkswagen Jetta is another competitor from VW, which is about $2,000 cheaper. Steering is more responsive in the VW Jetta, while the VW Passat has better power and passenger room. We recommend the VW Passat since it’s a more practical choice if you need to carry passengers.
The Honda Accord is another midsize sedan that’s about $1,500 more. Technology is more advanced in the Honda Accord, but the Volkswagen Passat has a more comfortable interior. We recommend the Honda Accord since you’ll get more features for your money, however both cars are excellent long-lasting choices.
Do Owners Recommend the VW Passat?
Yes, I love it. I have add some things to it to make it peppier. It is a nice well built car. After it is paid off I will keep it as a second car. Not sure I can part with it.
The Volkswagen passat is a great vehicle, and very reliable. There are many amazing features such as heated seats and a great sound system.
Of course yeah. Just expend a little bit of gas but it is a really good car. It is a reliable vehicle.
It's not a terrible vehicle. It is fairly reliable, gets decent mileage per gallon and is fun to drive.
I believe that the 2013 Volkswagen passat 2.5 liter se is a good vehicle for a multitude of reasons. It gets exceptional gas mileage, comes at a decent cost, a sunroof, a pretty powerful sport mode for a base model car, and the durability of German engineering. The only downsides to owning a Volkswagen passat that I could really list are the electric doors that are common among Volkswagen, and the fact that just like any other foreign made car, it has to be taken to a dealership for work besides changing oil or brake pads to be done. Aside from those two things, I really have nothing bad to say whatsoever about the vehicle.
I have had a really good experience with my Passat. I keep it happy with oil changes and car care, and I have had no problems! The only thing that hasn't been good is that my clock spring was not working, but found out it was a recall in the car and it’s all good!
I love my Passat. Easy to drive and I always feel safe in it. It’s a lot more spacious and comfortable than the Jetta