An old cheap diesel or a used electric car – which is cheaper?

When your current car is compared, what counts is its value today, not what it once cost – the Passat here is worth €2,200, its auto24 asking price, and that is what selling it would bring. Over 5 years the Renault Zoe costs €10,111 less than the Volkswagen Passat Variant (€20,600 against €30,710). Over 5 years the Nissan Leaf costs €6,132 less than the Volkswagen Passat Variant (€24,579 against €30,710). Over 5 years the Toyota Corolla costs €2,115 less than the Volkswagen Passat Variant (€28,596 against €30,710).

The Volkswagen Passat Variant stays dearer than the Renault Zoe even at 60,000 km a year. The Volkswagen Passat Variant stays dearer than the Nissan Leaf even at 60,000 km a year. The Volkswagen Passat Variant stays dearer than the Toyota Corolla even at 60,000 km a year.

For the 18-year-old Volkswagen Passat Variant the calculator budgets €800 a year for smaller repairs and, with the chance of a major one, about €1,360 a year. Owners of old cars themselves report €200–800 a year, until something big gives – put in your own figure if you know better.

Open this comparison in the calculator →

Assumptions: 20,000 km a year, 5 years, bought with cash, 80% of charging at home, fuel and electricity prices rising 5% a year; prices as of 12 October 2026. Every assumption can be changed in the calculator.