Volkswagen Fox (2008)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 8,114 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,102

£175/month

MOT Pass Rate

68%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£170

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1198cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

68% pass rate, £2,102/year to run. 14 points below average.

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Petrol1198cc18 years old8,114 tests86k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1198cc)

~50 mpg

£1,177

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£170

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,102

Per month£175/mo

Per week£40/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.88p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 5 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

68% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Volkswagen brand average of 85%.

68% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Foxs from 2008 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 16 years old. That's based on 8,114 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 85,692 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 models482nd of 566(bottom 16%)

Rank among Volkswagen models1018th of 1,086(bottom 7%)

vs average of all models-14%(82% avg)

vs 2008 models average-5%(73% avg)

vs Volkswagen average-17%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

85,692

Average miles

118,400

Expected for age

The average 2008 Volkswagen Fox had 85,692 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2012 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 77%, while the 2008 model has the lowest at 68%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Volkswagen Fox by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2012	77%	144	68,514 mi
2011	74%	4,366	72,160 mi
2010	71%	13,824	77,653 mi
2009	70%	8,835	77,581 mi
2008	68%	8,114	85,692 mi
2007	69%	9,048	86,429 mi
2006	71%	4,923	88,671 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2008 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,156/year

72%

+4%

Ford Focus

2009 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,231/year

74%

+6%

Vauxhall Corsa

2010 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,156/year

74%

+6%

Nissan Qashqai

2010 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,431/year

67%

-1%

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About the 2008 Volkswagen Fox

The 2008 Volkswagen Fox is a city car. Our records list a 1198cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 8,114 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 16% of 2008 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 85,692 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Fox owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2008 Volkswagen Fox Fuel Costs

The modest 1198cc 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 £1,177 per year with petrol at 174.88p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 5 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2008 Volkswagen Fox?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,102 (£175/month), broken down as £1,177 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 68% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Volkswagen Fox Reliability Trend

Newer Volkswagen Foxs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 4 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2008 Volkswagen Fox

At 18 years old, the Volkswagen Fox 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. With 8,114 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

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.

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.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 86k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 68% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 2008 Volkswagen Fox 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 Fox(2008)	68%	£1,177	£170	Grp 5-15	£2,102
Ford Fiesta(2008)	72%	£1,401	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,156+£54
Ford Focus(2009)	74%	£1,401	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,231+£129
Vauxhall Corsa(2010)	74%	£1,401	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,156+£54
Nissan Qashqai(2010)	67%	£1,401	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,431+£329

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 5 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 2008 Volkswagen Fox

Is the 2008 Volkswagen Fox reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 68% of MOT tests on 2008 Volkswagen Foxs ended in a pass, from 8,114 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2008 Volkswagen Fox cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,102 a year (£175 a month): £1,177 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 Volkswagen Fox?

68% of 8,114 MOT tests on the 2008 Volkswagen Fox ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 482nd of 566 models first registered in 2008 (bottom 16%).

Which year Volkswagen Fox has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2012 Volkswagen Fox has the highest MOT pass rate at 77% and the 2008 the lowest at 68%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2008 Volkswagen Fox?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2008 Volkswagen Fox is 85,692 miles, which is below the expected 118,400 miles for a 16-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.