For a large saloon, Volkswagen Passat running costs are remarkably low. The 1.6-litre TDI BlueMotion is capable of achieving 68.8mpg, according to Volkswagen. Insurance groups are also respectable considering the size of the car. This is a well-made car and it is also sought after on the used market. This makes future residuals work in your favour over other mainstream rival like the Vauxhall Insignia.

VW dealers command a premium when comparing to Ford on servicing but they are reliable and service is good quality.

The pick of the bunch is the BlueMotion version and includes aerodynamic modifications, stop/start and battery regeneration to help reduce Volkswagen Passat emissions. This will result in a combined 68.8 mpg and emit just 109 g/km of CO2. This equates to a theoretical range of over 1,000 miles on a single tank of diesel.

Volkswagen Passat reliability is pretty close to being bullet-proof. However, even VW has to hold its hands up – there was a recall in 2007 as there was a worry over wiper blade failure. To keep your car reliable make sure you get the vehicle serviced on a regular basis.