Last chance to buy: Volkswagen Passat

Although the new Volkswagen Passat is undoubtedly an improvement on the outgoing model, the latter is now available to buy with big discounts purely because it has been superseded.

We gave the old version 4.2 stars when we got our hands on it for review and it remains an excellent car for buyers looking for a comfortable saloon with a high quality interior.

The old car is available in S, BlueMotion, Executive and Executive Style trim levels but equipment levels are good across the range. Entry-level S models feature 16-inch alloys, 60:40 split-folding rear seats, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, a DAB digital radio and MP3-compatible CD player, while top-spec models get a fairly enormous list of kit that includes larger alloy wheels, leather seats, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, and a touchscreen sat-nav.

The diesel engines suit the Passat best, with the BlueMotion version of the 1.6-litre turbo diesel delivering reasonable performance and excellent running costs.

Dealers will be looking to offload the old Passat increasingly quickly as the new car begins to hit UK showrooms and roads, so customers who aren’t fussed about having the latest model, or those who can’t quite stretch to it, might be interested in the potential savings on the outgoing version.

Why should I buy it?

Though not as much fun to drive as a BMW 3 Series, the Passat is a comfortable motorway cruiser and handles well enough in corners thanks to well-weighted, accurate steering.

As with virtually all modern Volkswagens, you get a solidly built interior that looks smart too, and the car comes with plenty of standard equipment.

The car also has a generous 565-litre capacity boot and plenty of storage space around the cabin, making it a practical everyday car.

To top it all off, the outgoing Passat has proved to be very reliable and very safe.

How much should I pay?

Arnold Clark is offering the frugal 105bhp 1.6-litre TDI BlueMotion Tech Executive model for £18,995, which is a saving of £3,685 on the list price. Your money gets you an equipment list that includes 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and dual zone climate control.

For a model with more punch, the same dealer is offering £4,145 off the 177bhp 2.0-litre TDI in the same trim at a price of £21,995.

We’d definitely recommend you visit some Volkswagen dealers before buying because they may be able to offer you a one-off deal on particular cars they have in stock and are keen to sell. Taking a printout of an offer you've seen on the web may be a good way of haggling with a dealer, who might be willing to undercut offers (including the ones we've highlighted above) on an ad-hoc basis in order to make a sale and shift stock.