Volkswagen Golf (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 430 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,853

£154/month

MOT Pass Rate

92%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1498cc Petrol

Great Choice

92% pass rate, £1,853/year to run. 10 points above average.

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Petrol1498cc5 years old430 tests30k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1498cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,853

Per month£154/mo

Per week£36/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. 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

92% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 10 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Volkswagen brand average of 85%.

92% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Golfs from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 430 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 30,210 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models1959th of 3,336(bottom half)

Rank among Volkswagen models333rd of 1,086(top half)

vs average of all models+10%(82% avg)

vs 2021 models average+0%(92% avg)

vs Volkswagen average+7%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

30,210

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 Volkswagen Golf had 30,210 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 2004 model has the lowest at 69%. The 2021 scores 92%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Volkswagen Golf by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2024	100%	42	48,967 mi
2023	96%	94	37,883 mi
2022	100%	50	24,291 mi
2021	92%	430	30,210 mi
2020	94%	15,098	33,191 mi
2019	92%	89,653	42,263 mi
2018	92%	111,972	51,770 mi
2017	91%	127,682	59,928 mi
2016	90%	118,229	68,321 mi
2015	89%	121,777	77,151 mi
2014	87%	120,417	87,379 mi
2013	85%	103,434	93,359 mi
2012	80%	98,183	101,911 mi
2011	78%	97,916	110,696 mi
2010	77%	87,733	116,406 mi
2009	77%	85,462	116,549 mi
2008	74%	79,283	127,518 mi
2007	73%	80,988	126,210 mi
2006	72%	60,321	126,470 mi
2005	72%	41,401	129,877 mi
2004	69%	25,662	127,809 mi
2003	73%	31,803	140,305 mi
2002	73%	27,474	142,659 mi
2001	72%	15,315	133,140 mi
2000	72%	8,316	132,299 mi
1999	71%	8,442	127,276 mi
1998	71%	4,066	117,658 mi
1997	74%	3,130	113,175 mi
1996	74%	2,930	115,178 mi
1995	75%	1,612	108,721 mi
1994	76%	946	104,165 mi
1993	76%	834	105,417 mi
1992	77%	1,734	123,399 mi
1991	80%	5,191	134,589 mi
1990	77%	5,156	130,503 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2019 · 998cc Petrol

£1,630/year

91%

-1%

Vauxhall Corsa

2019 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

88%

-4%

Nissan Qashqai

2020 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,853/year

93%

+1%

MINI Cooper

2019 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

same

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About the 2021 Volkswagen Golf

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf is a small family car. Our records list a 1498cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 430 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model matches that benchmark.

With an average of 30,210 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Golf owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2021 Volkswagen Golf Fuel Costs

The 1498cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,398 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 2021 Volkswagen Golf?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,853 (£154/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Volkswagen Golf Reliability Trend

Newer Volkswagen Golfs pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 10 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2021 Volkswagen Golf

At 5 years old, the Volkswagen 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 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 94%.

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.

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 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 Golf(2021)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853
Ford Fiesta(2019)	91%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,630-£223
Vauxhall Corsa(2019)	88%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003+£150
Nissan Qashqai(2020)	93%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853same
MINI Cooper(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853same

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 Golf

Is the 2021 Volkswagen Golf reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of MOT tests on 2021 Volkswagen Golfs ended in a pass, from 430 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 10 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 Volkswagen Golf cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,853 a year (£154 a month): £1,398 fuel, £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 Golf?

92% of 430 MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Golf ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1959th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (bottom half).

Which year Volkswagen Golf has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Volkswagen Golf has the highest MOT pass rate at 94% and the 2004 the lowest at 69%. 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 Golf?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Golf is 30,210 miles, which is above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.