TBH, I wouldn't be that keen on the Passat, nor, unless it has a manual gearbox, the A4.
You have not said what budget, but a browse on Autotrader at the two choices suggests circa £22.5k.
That is enough to get into a brand new Toyota Corolla hybrid estate in 1.8 guise and enough to get into the same car with the more muscular 2.0 engine from 2019/2020.
I'd be put off the Passat for three reasons. The teething troubles Big John speaks of, the DSG gearbox, and the high miles for its age. The DSG box can and often is reliable, but I'd still be wary given the cars 70k miles over 3 years. Yes, the vast majority of that will have been on the motorway with minimum stress on the box, but still.........
I'd be put off the A4 if it is an auto, in which case it will have the same gearbox as the Passat with the same potential for trouble. Also, just the thought of paying that much money for a car of that age because of the badge when I could get something like the Corolla for the same money?, nah! (but that's just personal opinion).
As for the 1.5TSI being a better bet than the 2.0TSI?. The 1.5 has had plenty of bad press over the 'kangarooing' problem. Is it fixed?, maybe, but maybe not. The 2.0 is well proven by comparison so (IMO) a much better bet.
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