How much does a 2021 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,637 (£136/month), including £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA?

The 2021 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA has a 82% MOT pass rate based on 34 tests in 2026. This ranks 3267 out of 3373 cars from 2021.

Which year VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA is most reliable?

The 2019 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA has the highest MOT pass rate at 90%. The least reliable year is 2011 at 80%.

VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA (2021)

Q: Is the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 82% of VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIAs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 34 tests. That's 0 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2021 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA?

The average mileage for a 2021 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA is 24,384 miles, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-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 34 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,637

£136/month

MOT Pass Rate

82%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1968cc Diesel

Solid Option

82% pass rate, £1637/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel1968cc5 years old34 tests24k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1968cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,637

Per month£136/mo

Per week£31/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 5 years old, 82% of VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIAs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 34 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 24,384 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 cars3267th of 3,373(top 97%)

Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models725th of 1,118(top 65%)

vs national average+0%(82% avg)

vs 2021 cars average-10%(92% avg)

vs VOLKSWAGEN average-3%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

24,384

Average miles

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2021 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA has 24,384 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-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 2019 model with a 90% MOT pass rate, while the 2011 model has the lowest at 80%. The 2021 sits between the two at 82%.

VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	82%	34	24,384 mi
2020	89%	163	25,656 mi
2019	90%	1,834	32,886 mi
2018	89%	1,916	40,337 mi
2017	89%	2,069	48,374 mi
2016	86%	1,492	54,415 mi
2015	85%	1,538	59,638 mi
2014	84%	1,293	65,769 mi
2013	85%	1,019	73,000 mi
2012	81%	1,034	73,586 mi
2011	80%	667	77,345 mi
2010	81%	589	80,341 mi
2009	84%	99	86,953 mi
2008	82%	119	92,350 mi
2007	83%	96	115,434 mi
2006	82%	62	95,967 mi
2005	65%	31	130,050 mi
1991	68%	31	181,733 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FOCUS

2019 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

+7%

FORD KUGA

2019 · 1997cc Diesel

£1,482/year

91%

+9%

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

2019 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

+7%

FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM

2019 · 2000cc Diesel

£1,632/year

87%

+5%

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About the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA

The 2021 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA is a family car with a 1968cc diesel engine. 34 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 97% of 2021 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 24,384 miles at 5 years old, VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2021 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 2021 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,637 (£136/month), broken down as £1037 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 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 2021 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA

At 5 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%. Note: with only 34 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2021 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Medium risk

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Low risk

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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 2021 VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VOLKSWAGEN CALIFORNIA(2021)	82%	£1037	£195	Grp 18-32	£1637
FORD FOCUS(2019)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500-£137
FORD KUGA(2019)	91%	£1037	£190	Grp 18-32	£1482-£155
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2019)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500-£137
FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM(2019)	87%	£1037	£190	Grp 18-32	£1632-£5

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.