Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A (2021)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 162 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£2,003
£167/month
MOT Pass Rate
89%
Good
Road Tax
£200
Standard rate/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 12-25
1498cc Petrol
Solid Option
89% pass rate, £2,003/year to run. 7 points above average.
Check a specific Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A
Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.
Annual Running Costs
~42 mpg
Standard rate (from April 2017)
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
Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Volkswagen brand average of 85%.
89% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-As from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 162 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 43,117 miles.
Got a Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A you're looking at?
Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
43,117
Average miles
22,200
Expected for age
The average 2021 Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A had 43,117 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.
Looking at a specific Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A?
Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
Best Year to Buy?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 93%, while the 2021 model has the lowest at 89%. 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 Passat Sel TSI S-A by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
Check a Specific Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A
Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.
Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.
About the 2021 Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A
The 2021 Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A is a small family car. Our records list a 1498cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 162 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 20% of 2021 models for MOT pass rate.
With an average of 43,117 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A 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 Sel TSI S-A 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 Sel TSI S-A?
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 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.
Buying a Used 2021 Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A
At 5 years old, the Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.
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 riskAlways 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 Sel TSI S-A 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 Sel TSI S-A(2021) | 89% | £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 Sel TSI S-A
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A reliable?
Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of MOT tests on 2021 Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-As ended in a pass, from 162 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 2021 Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A 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 Sel TSI S-A?
89% of 162 MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 2700th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (bottom 20%).
Which year Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A has the best MOT pass rate?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A has the highest MOT pass rate at 93% and the 2021 the lowest at 89%. 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 Sel TSI S-A?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A is 43,117 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.
Related Volkswagen Models
Explore other Volkswagen cars or similar models in the same category.
Volkswagen Golf
2017 · 1598cc Diesel
Volkswagen Polo
2015 · 1198cc Petrol
Volkswagen Tiguan
2018 · 1968cc Diesel
Ford Fiesta
2019 · 998cc Petrol
Volkswagen Golf
2019 · 1498cc Petrol
Vauxhall Corsa
2019 · 1398cc Petrol
Related Guides
In-depth articles relevant to the Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A.
Cheapest Cars to Insure in the UK: Insurance Groups 1-10
9 min read
Running CostsCheapest Cars to Tax in the UK (2026): Complete Guide
10 min read
Buying Guide15 Best First Cars UK 2026: Low Insurance Groups and Running Costs
9 min read
Buying GuideFord Fiesta Common Problems (2026): What to Check Before Buying
13 min read
ReliabilityFord Puma Common Problems: 7 Issues That Could Cost £1,500+ (2026)
13 min read
Check a specific Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a Volkswagen Passat Sel TSI S-A? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
With outstanding finance included