How much does a 2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,737 (£145/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE?

The 2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE has a 82% MOT pass rate based on 4,498 tests in 2026. This ranks 463 out of 586 cars from 2016.

Which year VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE is most reliable?

The 2018 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE has the highest MOT pass rate at 85%. The least reliable year is 1997 at 64%.

VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE (2016)

Q: Is the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 82% of VOLKSWAGEN BEETLEs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 4,498 tests. That's 0 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE?

The average mileage for a 2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE is 52,150 miles, which is below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 4,498 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,737

£145/month

MOT Pass Rate

82%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1395cc Petrol

Solid Option

82% pass rate, £1737/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol1395cc10 years old4,498 tests52k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1395cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1395cc

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,737

Per month£145/mo

Per week£33/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

82% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 10 years old, 82% of VOLKSWAGEN BEETLEs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 4,498 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 52,150 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars463th of 586(top 79%)

Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models709th of 1,118(top 63%)

vs national average+0%(82% avg)

vs 2016 cars average-3%(85% avg)

vs VOLKSWAGEN average-3%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

52,150

Average miles

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE has 52,150 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2018 model with a 85% MOT pass rate, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 64%. The 2016 sits between the two at 82%.

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

£1,390/year

81%

-1%

VAUXHALL CORSA

2015 · 1398cc Petrol

£1,722/year

78%

-4%

FORD FOCUS

2014 · 1596cc Petrol

£1,677/year

80%

-2%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,550/year

86%

+4%

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About the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

The 2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE is a small family car with a 1395cc petrol engine. 4,498 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 79% of 2016 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 52,150 miles at 10 years old, VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE Fuel Costs

The 1395cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,737 (£145/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 82% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE Reliability Trend

Newer VOLKSWAGEN BEETLEs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

At 10 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

Based on the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 2016 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE(2016)	82%	£1137	£195	Grp 8-20	£1737
FORD FIESTA(2015)	81%	£955	£30	Grp 1-8	£1390-£347
VAUXHALL CORSA(2015)	78%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£15
FORD FOCUS(2014)	80%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1677-£60
NISSAN QASHQAI(2017)	86%	£955	£190	Grp 5-15	£1550-£187

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.