Volkswagen Beetle (2013)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 9,521 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,900

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

78%

Average

Road Tax

£170

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1197cc Petrol

Check Carefully

78% pass rate, £1,900/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol1197cc13 years old9,521 tests74k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1197cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£170

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£1,900

Per month£158/mo

Per week£37/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

78% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

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

78% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Beetles from 2013 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 11 years old. That's based on 9,521 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 74,053 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2013 models428th of 588(bottom half)

Rank among Volkswagen models792nd of 1,086(bottom half)

vs average of all models-4%(82% avg)

vs 2013 models average-2%(80% avg)

vs Volkswagen average-7%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

74,053

Average miles

81,400

Expected for age

The average 2013 Volkswagen Beetle had 74,053 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 81,400 miles for a 11-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 2013 scores 78%. 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

Ford Fiesta

2015 · 998cc Petrol

£1,600/year

81%

+3%

Vauxhall Corsa

2015 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

78%

same

Ford Focus

2013 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

78%

same

Nissan Qashqai

2015 · 1400cc Petrol

£2,003/year

81%

+3%

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About the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle

The 2013 Volkswagen Beetle is a city car. Our records list a 1197cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 9,521 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all models from 2013, the average MOT pass rate is 80%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 74,053 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Beetle owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2013 Volkswagen Beetle Fuel Costs

The modest 1197cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 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 2013 Volkswagen Beetle?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,900 (£158/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 78% 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 2013 Volkswagen Beetle

At 13 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%. With 9,521 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

What the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 1,527 MOT tests on the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

Suspension43%
Same age: 37%
Lights and electrics34%
Same age: 41%
Brakes19%
Same age: 22%
Tyres19%
Same age: 20%

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · Volkswagen Beetle reliability, common problems and years to avoid

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.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

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 2013 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(2013)	78%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,900
Ford Fiesta(2015)	81%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£300
Vauxhall Corsa(2015)	78%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£253
Ford Focus(2013)	78%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£328
Nissan Qashqai(2015)	81%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003+£103

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 2013 Volkswagen Beetle

Is the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 78% of MOT tests on 2013 Volkswagen Beetles ended in a pass, from 9,521 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 4 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2013 Volkswagen Beetle cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,900 a year (£158 a month): £1,175 fuel, £170 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 2013 Volkswagen Beetle?

78% of 9,521 MOT tests on the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 428th of 588 models first registered in 2013 (bottom half).

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 2013 Volkswagen Beetle?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2013 Volkswagen Beetle is 74,053 miles, which is in line with the expected 81,400 miles for a 11-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.