Volkswagen E-Golf (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 76 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,010

£84/month

MOT Pass Rate

93%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

n/a

Electric

Great Choice

93% pass rate, £1,010/year to run. 11 points above average.

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Electric5 years old76 tests21k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Electricity

Home charging at about 7.5p a mile

£555

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,010

Per month£84/mo

Per week£19/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), home charging at about 7.5p a mile, 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

93% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Volkswagen brand average of 85%.

93% of MOT tests on Volkswagen E-Golfs from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 76 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 20,622 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models1717th of 3,336(bottom half)

Rank among Volkswagen models282nd of 1,086(top half)

vs average of all models+11%(82% avg)

vs 2021 models average+1%(92% avg)

vs Volkswagen average+8%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

20,622

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 Volkswagen E-Golf had 20,622 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-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 92%, while the 2020 model has the lowest at 90%. The 2021 scores 93%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Volkswagen E-Golf by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	93%	76	20,622 mi
2020	90%	4,657	30,082 mi
2019	90%	6,072	36,638 mi
2018	92%	567	42,962 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Tesla Model 3 Long Range Awd

2021 · Electric

£1,160/year

88%

-5%

Jaguar I-Pace

2020 · Electric

£1,010/year

96%

+3%

Tesla Model 3 Standard Range +

2021 · Electric

£1,160/year

88%

-5%

Nissan Leaf

2021 · Electric

£1,010/year

94%

+1%

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About the 2021 Volkswagen E-Golf

The 2021 Volkswagen E-Golf is an electric car. Our records list it as electric. 76 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 20,622 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen E-Golf owners drive about as much as the UK average.

What does it cost to own a 2021 Volkswagen E-Golf?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,010 (£84/month), broken down as £555 electricity, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Volkswagen E-Golf Reliability Trend

The Volkswagen E-Golf has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2021 Volkswagen E-Golf

At 5 years old, the Volkswagen E-Golf 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 2018 model has the highest pass rate at 92%. Note: with only 76 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

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.

Battery Degradation

Medium risk

After 5 years, expect some battery capacity loss. Check the battery health report for state of health (SoH). Below 80% significantly reduces range.

Charging Port

Medium risk

Charging connectors and ports can develop issues from regular use. Check both AC and DC charging work correctly before purchasing.

Software Updates

Medium risk

Older EVs may miss out on manufacturer software updates that improve range and features. Check the infotainment system is up to date.

12V Auxiliary Battery

Medium risk

EVs still have a standard 12V battery for accessories. These drain faster than in petrol cars and can leave you stranded if flat. Replacement is £100-£200.

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 E-Golf 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 E-Golf(2021)	93%	£555	£200	n/a	£1,010
Tesla Model 3 Long Range Awd(2021)	88%	£555	£200	n/a	£1,160+£150
Jaguar I-Pace(2020)	96%	£555	£200	n/a	£1,010same
Tesla Model 3 Standard Range +(2021)	88%	£555	£200	n/a	£1,160+£150
Nissan Leaf(2021)	94%	£555	£200	n/a	£1,010same

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 2021 Volkswagen E-Golf

Is the 2021 Volkswagen E-Golf reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 93% of MOT tests on 2021 Volkswagen E-Golfs ended in a pass, from 76 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 11 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 Volkswagen E-Golf cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,010 a year (£84 a month): £555 electricity, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Volkswagen E-Golf?

93% of 76 MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen E-Golf ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1717th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (bottom half).

Which year Volkswagen E-Golf has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2018 Volkswagen E-Golf has the highest MOT pass rate at 92% and the 2020 the lowest at 90%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2021 Volkswagen E-Golf?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen E-Golf is 20,622 miles, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.