Volkswagen Beetle (2018)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 1,642 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,780

£148/month

MOT Pass Rate

85%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1197cc Petrol

Solid Option

85% pass rate, £1,780/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol1197cc8 years old1,642 tests36k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1197cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,780

Per month£148/mo

Per week£34/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. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

85% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

85% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Beetles from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 1,642 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 36,156 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 models503rd of 607(bottom 18%)

Rank among Volkswagen models626th of 1,086(bottom half)

vs average of all models+3%(82% avg)

vs 2018 models average-4%(89% avg)

vs Volkswagen average+0%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

36,156

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2018 Volkswagen Beetle had 36,156 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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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

2016 · 998cc Petrol

£1,600/year

81%

-4%

Vauxhall Corsa

2016 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

81%

-4%

Ford Focus

2016 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

87%

+2%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

+1%

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About the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle

The 2018 Volkswagen Beetle is a city car. Our records list a 1197cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 1,642 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 18% of 2018 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 36,156 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Beetle owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2018 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 2018 Volkswagen Beetle?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,780 (£148/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 85% 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 2018 Volkswagen Beetle

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage.

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.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2018 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(2018)	85%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780
Ford Fiesta(2016)	81%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£180
Vauxhall Corsa(2016)	81%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003+£223
Ford Focus(2016)	87%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078+£298
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780same

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 2018 Volkswagen Beetle

Is the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 85% of MOT tests on 2018 Volkswagen Beetles ended in a pass, from 1,642 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 3 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2018 Volkswagen Beetle cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,780 a year (£148 a month): £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 Volkswagen Beetle?

85% of 1,642 MOT tests on the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 503rd of 607 models first registered in 2018 (bottom 18%).

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 2018 Volkswagen Beetle?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 Volkswagen Beetle is 36,156 miles, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.