Volkswagen Jetta (2018)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 40 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,853

£154/month

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1400cc Petrol

Great Choice

90% pass rate, £1,853/year to run. 8 points above average.

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Petrol1400cc8 years old40 tests62k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1400cc)

~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

90% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Volkswagen brand average of 85%.

90% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Jettas from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 40 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 62,425 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 models347th of 607(bottom half)

Rank among Volkswagen models470th of 1,086(top half)

vs average of all models+8%(82% avg)

vs 2018 models average+1%(89% avg)

vs Volkswagen average+5%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

62,425

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2018 Volkswagen Jetta had 62,425 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-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 1991 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 87%, while the 2008 model has the lowest at 72%. The 2018 scores 90%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Volkswagen Jetta by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	90%	40	62,425 mi
2017	81%	593	59,639 mi
2016	82%	1,321	75,513 mi
2015	80%	2,021	83,208 mi
2014	78%	1,754	96,885 mi
2013	77%	1,876	100,152 mi
2012	78%	2,074	113,174 mi
2011	78%	1,645	116,779 mi
2010	79%	1,138	113,968 mi
2009	77%	1,967	118,308 mi
2008	72%	3,010	130,113 mi
2007	74%	3,885	133,468 mi
2006	74%	3,004	135,613 mi
2005	62%	66	148,664 mi
1991	87%	217	126,890 mi
1990	82%	157	126,764 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2016 · 998cc Petrol

£1,600/year

81%

-9%

Vauxhall Corsa

2016 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

81%

-9%

Ford Focus

2016 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

87%

-3%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

-4%

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About the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2018 Volkswagen Jetta is a small family car. Our records list a 1400cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 40 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 62,425 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Jetta owners cover more miles than the average driver.

2018 Volkswagen Jetta Fuel Costs

The 1400cc 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 2018 Volkswagen Jetta?

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 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Volkswagen Jetta Reliability Trend

The Volkswagen Jetta has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 1 percentage point.

Buying a Used 2018 Volkswagen Jetta

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 1991 model has the highest pass rate at 87%. Note: with only 40 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.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2018 Volkswagen Jetta 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 Jetta(2018)	90%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£1,853
Ford Fiesta(2016)	81%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£253
Vauxhall Corsa(2016)	81%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003+£150
Ford Focus(2016)	87%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078+£225
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780-£73

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 2018 Volkswagen Jetta

Is the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 90% of MOT tests on 2018 Volkswagen Jettas ended in a pass, from 40 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2018 Volkswagen Jetta 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 2018 Volkswagen Jetta?

90% of 40 MOT tests on the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 347th of 607 models first registered in 2018 (bottom half).

Which year Volkswagen Jetta has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 1991 Volkswagen Jetta has the highest MOT pass rate at 87% and the 2008 the lowest at 72%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2018 Volkswagen Jetta?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 Volkswagen Jetta is 62,425 miles, which is above the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.