CarCostCheck

VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA (2018)

Running costs, common problems, and reliability data based on 1,916 real MOT tests in 2024.

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Total Tests (2024)

1,916

Avg Mileage

40,337 mi

Est. Annual Cost

£1,632

Is the 2018 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the VOLKSWAGEN brand average of 85%.

At 6 years old, 89% of VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIAs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2024. That's based on 1,916 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 40,337 miles.

How does the 2018 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA compare?

Rank among all 2018 cars410th out of 649(top 63%)
Rank among all VOLKSWAGEN models487th out of 1,118(top 44%)
vs national average+7% (82% avg)
vs 2018 cars average+0% (89% avg)
vs VOLKSWAGEN average+4% (85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

The average 2018 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA has 40,337 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

Best year to buy a VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA?

The most reliable year is the 2019 model with a 90% MOT pass rate, while the 2011 model has the lowest at 80%. The 2018 sits between the two at 89%.

How much does a 2018 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA cost to run?

Fuel (Diesel, 1968cc)
£1,037
🏛️Road Tax
£190
🔧MOT Test
£55
🛠️Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,632
Per month£136/mo

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

VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202182%3424,384 mi
202089%16325,656 mi
201990%1,83432,886 mi
201889%1,91640,337 mi
201789%2,06948,374 mi
201686%1,49254,415 mi
201585%1,53859,638 mi
201484%1,29365,769 mi
201385%1,01973,000 mi
201281%1,03473,586 mi
201180%66777,345 mi
201081%58980,341 mi
200984%9986,953 mi
200882%11992,350 mi
200783%96115,434 mi
200682%6295,967 mi
200565%31130,050 mi
199168%31181,733 mi

Checking a specific VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA?

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About the 2018 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA

The 2018 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA is a family car with a 1968cc diesel engine. 1,916 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. Among all cars from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 40,337 miles at 6 years old, VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2018 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA Fuel Costs

The 1968cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2018 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,632 136/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £190 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA Reliability Trend

Newer VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 5 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2018 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA

At 6 years old, the VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 90%.

Alternatives to the 2018 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA

If reliability is your priority, there's one similar car with a higher MOT pass rate. Here are comparable diesel cars with similar engines: