Volkswagen Fox (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 144 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,900

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

77%

Average

Road Tax

£170

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1198cc Petrol

Check Carefully

77% pass rate, £1,900/year to run. 5 points below average.

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Petrol1198cc14 years old144 tests69k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1198cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£170

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£1,900

Per month£158/mo

Per week£37/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.

Reliability Verdict

77% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Volkswagen brand average of 85%.

77% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Foxs from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 144 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 68,514 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models468th of 650(bottom half)

Rank among Volkswagen models826th of 1,086(bottom 25%)

vs average of all models-5%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average-1%(78% avg)

vs Volkswagen average-8%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

68,514

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Volkswagen Fox had 68,514 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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

2014 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

79%

+2%

Vauxhall Corsa

2014 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

76%

-1%

Ford Focus

2013 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

78%

+1%

Nissan Qashqai

2013 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,228/year

72%

-5%

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About the 2012 Volkswagen Fox

The 2012 Volkswagen Fox is a city car. Our records list a 1198cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 144 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 68,514 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Fox owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 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 £1,175 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 2012 Volkswagen Fox?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,900 (£158/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 77% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2012 Volkswagen Fox

At 14 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.

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.

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 2012 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(2012)	77%	£1,175	£170	Grp 5-15	£1,900
Ford Fiesta(2014)	79%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750-£150
Vauxhall Corsa(2014)	76%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£253
Ford Focus(2013)	78%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£328
Nissan Qashqai(2013)	72%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£328

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 2012 Volkswagen Fox

Is the 2012 Volkswagen Fox reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 77% of MOT tests on 2012 Volkswagen Foxs ended in a pass, from 144 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 5 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Volkswagen Fox cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,900 a year (£158 a month): £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Volkswagen Fox?

77% of 144 MOT tests on the 2012 Volkswagen Fox ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 468th of 650 models first registered in 2012 (bottom half).

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 2012 Volkswagen Fox?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Volkswagen Fox is 68,514 miles, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.