Volkswagen Beetle (2011)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 1,296 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,153

£179/month

MOT Pass Rate

74%

Average

Road Tax

£200

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1390cc Petrol

Check Carefully

74% pass rate, £2,153/year to run. 8 points below average.

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Petrol1390cc15 years old1,296 tests77k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1390cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,153

Per month£179/mo

Per week£41/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

74% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Volkswagen brand average of 85%.

74% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Beetles from 2011 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 13 years old. That's based on 1,296 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 77,381 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2011 models462nd of 595(bottom 23%)

Rank among Volkswagen models890th of 1,086(bottom 19%)

vs average of all models-8%(82% avg)

vs 2011 models average-3%(77% avg)

vs Volkswagen average-11%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

77,381

Average miles

96,200

Expected for age

The average 2011 Volkswagen Beetle had 77,381 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 96,200 miles for a 13-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 85%, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 65%. The 2011 scores 74%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Volkswagen Beetle by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	85%	1,642	36,156 mi
2017	83%	2,903	43,575 mi
2016	82%	4,498	52,150 mi
2015	80%	6,389	58,268 mi
2014	79%	7,334	65,889 mi
2013	78%	9,521	74,053 mi
2012	79%	4,871	75,723 mi
2011	74%	1,296	77,381 mi
2010	72%	4,069	82,153 mi
2009	72%	3,732	87,937 mi
2008	68%	5,007	93,584 mi
2007	67%	6,111	96,440 mi
2006	67%	6,520	102,252 mi
2005	68%	6,429	102,064 mi
2004	67%	7,230	107,318 mi
2003	65%	5,254	108,762 mi
2002	67%	2,479	106,749 mi
2001	66%	2,142	102,524 mi
2000	66%	1,513	103,321 mi
1999	73%	134	78,457 mi
1998	79%	70	66,190 mi
1997	64%	83	46,829 mi
1991	47%	38	34,927 mi
1990	71%	38	41,089 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Vauxhall Corsa

2012 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

76%

+2%

Ford Focus

2013 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

78%

+4%

Nissan Qashqai

2013 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,228/year

72%

-2%

Volkswagen Polo

2011 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,900/year

75%

+1%

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About the 2011 Volkswagen Beetle

The 2011 Volkswagen Beetle is a small family car. Our records list a 1390cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 1,296 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 23% of 2011 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 77,381 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Beetle owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2011 Volkswagen Beetle Fuel Costs

The 1390cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2011 Volkswagen Beetle?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,153 (£179/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 74% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Volkswagen Beetle Reliability Trend

Newer Volkswagen Beetles pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 11 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2011 Volkswagen Beetle

At 15 years old, the Volkswagen Beetle is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2018 model has the highest pass rate at 85%.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2011 Volkswagen Beetle stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Volkswagen Beetle(2011)	74%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153
Vauxhall Corsa(2012)	76%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153same
Ford Focus(2013)	78%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£75
Nissan Qashqai(2013)	72%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£75
Volkswagen Polo(2011)	75%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,900-£253

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2011 Volkswagen Beetle

Is the 2011 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 74% of MOT tests on 2011 Volkswagen Beetles ended in a pass, from 1,296 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2011 Volkswagen Beetle cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,153 a year (£179 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2011 Volkswagen Beetle?

74% of 1,296 MOT tests on the 2011 Volkswagen Beetle ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 462nd of 595 models first registered in 2011 (bottom 23%).

Which year Volkswagen Beetle has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle has the highest MOT pass rate at 85% and the 2003 the lowest at 65%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2011 Volkswagen Beetle?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2011 Volkswagen Beetle is 77,381 miles, which is in line with the expected 96,200 miles for a 13-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.