Volkswagen Passat (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 2,883 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,003

£167/month

MOT Pass Rate

88%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1498cc Petrol

Solid Option

88% pass rate, £2,003/year to run. 6 points above average.

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Petrol1498cc5 years old2,883 tests49k 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

£350

Total per year£2,003

Per month£167/mo

Per week£39/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

88% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 6 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data.

88% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Passats from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 2,883 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 48,544 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models2771st of 3,336(bottom 17%)

Rank among Volkswagen models525th of 1,086(top half)

vs average of all models+6%(82% avg)

vs 2021 models average-4%(92% avg)

vs Volkswagen average+3%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

48,544

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 Volkswagen Passat had 48,544 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is well above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.

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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 91%, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 68%. The 2021 scores 88%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Volkswagen Passat by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2023	96%	115	28,795 mi
2022	95%	112	32,575 mi
2021	88%	2,883	48,544 mi
2020	91%	3,693	51,051 mi
2019	90%	10,401	64,414 mi
2018	89%	17,765	78,744 mi
2017	87%	23,604	91,978 mi
2016	86%	25,422	104,333 mi
2015	85%	26,110	113,668 mi
2014	81%	26,568	119,255 mi
2013	79%	22,147	127,390 mi
2012	78%	25,128	136,337 mi
2011	77%	30,407	143,692 mi
2010	76%	21,533	142,381 mi
2009	77%	21,442	142,464 mi
2008	75%	17,841	148,772 mi
2007	74%	15,448	152,684 mi
2006	72%	10,368	152,502 mi
2005	74%	7,453	156,295 mi
2004	73%	6,247	161,943 mi
2003	72%	5,106	162,240 mi
2002	72%	3,237	159,288 mi
2001	72%	1,897	161,435 mi
2000	68%	891	164,572 mi
1999	71%	1,147	167,995 mi
1998	71%	946	154,291 mi
1997	77%	256	150,194 mi
1996	84%	142	140,487 mi
1995	68%	107	149,628 mi
1994	73%	86	126,099 mi
1993	85%	94	188,041 mi
1992	76%	83	145,928 mi
1991	73%	49	149,661 mi
1990	81%	54	146,491 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Fiesta

2019 · 998cc Petrol

£1,630/year

91%

+3%

Volkswagen Golf

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,853/year

92%

+4%

Vauxhall Corsa

2019 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

88%

same

Nissan Qashqai

2020 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,853/year

93%

+5%

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About the 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat is a small family car. Our records list a 1498cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 2,883 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 17% of 2021 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 48,544 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Passat owners cover more miles than the average driver. High-mileage examples should be checked carefully for wear on suspension, brakes, and drivetrain components.

2021 Volkswagen Passat 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 Passat?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,003 (£167/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 88% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Volkswagen Passat Reliability Trend

Newer Volkswagen Passats 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 Passat

At 5 years old, the Volkswagen Passat 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 91%.

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 Passat 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 Passat(2021)	88%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£2,003
Ford Fiesta(2019)	91%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,630-£373
Volkswagen Golf(2019)	92%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£150
Vauxhall Corsa(2019)	88%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003same
Nissan Qashqai(2020)	93%	£1,398	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,853-£150

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 Passat

Is the 2021 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 88% of MOT tests on 2021 Volkswagen Passats ended in a pass, from 2,883 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 6 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 Volkswagen Passat cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,003 a year (£167 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Volkswagen Passat?

88% of 2,883 MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Passat ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 2771st of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (bottom 17%).

Which year Volkswagen Passat has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Volkswagen Passat has the highest MOT pass rate at 91% and the 1995 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 2021 Volkswagen Passat?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Passat is 48,544 miles, which is well above the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. Check service history carefully, as high-mileage cars need consistent maintenance to stay reliable.