Volkswagen UK | New & Used VW Cars

Volkswagen rather dubiously has its beginnings in the German Nazi regime back in 1937 - the goal was to build a ‘people’s car’ that any German citizen could afford. This first model - the legendary Beetle - was the beginning of a brand that would soon expand out into one of the largest automotive groups in the world.

Volkswagen in the UK today is a long way away from its roots but still produces a full model range of cars - everything from sensible superminis to practical family SUVs. In recent years it’s introduced several impressive electric cars, too, and don’t forget commercial vehicles - Volkswagen sells all sorts of vans, pickup trucks and even campers.

In the coming years, expect to see Volkswagen’s model range becoming increasingly electrified, with new electric vans, hatchbacks, even estate cars and performance models.

Here at Carwow we’re usually happy to recommend most Volkswagen models as a great middle ground - they feel like a step up from budget brands, but aren’t so posh you’d be frightened to use them as everyday workhorses. However, it faces stiff competition especially from emerging Chinese manufacturers building cheaper electric cars that perform as well as or better than Volkswagen’s efforts.

What our car expert says

“It’s quite hard to go wrong with a Volkswagen. They’re truly the spag bol of manufacturers - not that exciting, but dependable. They’re not up there with the best for reliability or value, but there’s a model to suit every kind of driver whether you’re after a frugal runabout or a full-sized family bus.”

Mat Watson

Chief Content Officer

Expert Car Reviewer

Volkswagen at a glance

More than 250 dealerships across the UK
A range of over 20 different models
Five electric cars available, with more on the way
Competitive finance options with deposit contributions frequently available

VW cars FAQs

Who founded Volkswagen?

In a nutshell, Hitler - though that’s a bit reductive. Volkswagen was born through the German Labour Front’s ‘Strength Through Joy’ programme, with the goal of building a basic vehicle that any German family could afford. True production didn’t start until after WWII, though.

Who owns Volkswagen?

Nowadays, Volkswagen is owned by the larger Volkswagen Group, or Volkswagen AG. The CEO is Oliver Blume.

What car brands does Volkswagen own?

The Volkswagen Group owns ten brands, founded across five European countries. In cars - Volkswagen, Skoda, SEAT, Cupra, Audi, Lamborghini, Bentley and Porsche. It also sells vans and motorcycles through Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Ducati.

What is Volkswagen BlueMotion?

BlueMotion is the name given to a series of fuel-saving technology innovations added to various Volkswagen cars. A few cars were also branded with BlueMotion in their model name, to signify their focus on fuel economy. While many BlueMotion innovations still feature on VW models today the name has mostly fallen out of use.

Are Volkswagen cars reliable?

Reliability isn’t one of the brand’s strengths - the VW brand ranked 27th out of 32 in the 2023 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey, though this does represent more factors than simply reliability.