Volkswagen Polo (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 12,920 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,674

£140/month

MOT Pass Rate

93%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 12-25

1598cc Diesel

Great Choice

93% pass rate, £1,674/year to run. 11 points above average.

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Diesel1598cc5 years old12,920 tests22k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1598cc)

~55 mpg

£1,219

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,674

Per month£140/mo

Per week£32/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), diesel at 199.33p 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

93% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 11 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Volkswagen brand average of 85%.

93% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Polos from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 12,920 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 22,309 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models1401st of 3,336(top half)

Rank among Volkswagen models227th of 1,086(top 21%)

vs average of all models+11%(82% avg)

vs 2021 models average+1%(92% avg)

vs Volkswagen average+8%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

22,309

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 Volkswagen Polo had 22,309 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Volkswagen Polo by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2023	84%	106	33,452 mi
2022	95%	413	20,300 mi
2021	93%	12,920	22,309 mi
2020	92%	27,020	28,541 mi
2019	89%	65,751	35,212 mi
2018	84%	79,867	42,136 mi
2017	84%	80,360	48,515 mi
2016	84%	92,860	55,959 mi
2015	82%	94,129	62,780 mi
2014	80%	81,831	69,477 mi
2013	79%	75,894	74,217 mi
2012	78%	73,366	80,312 mi
2011	75%	79,721	85,976 mi
2010	74%	75,715	90,330 mi
2009	71%	44,908	89,112 mi
2008	70%	49,575	94,775 mi
2007	70%	45,463	97,013 mi
2006	68%	39,766	99,533 mi
2005	68%	30,507	99,509 mi
2004	67%	26,290	100,124 mi
2003	67%	21,166	98,247 mi
2002	68%	12,081	96,635 mi
2001	71%	7,359	88,668 mi
2000	71%	4,800	92,133 mi
1999	75%	2,808	74,358 mi
1998	71%	1,681	68,113 mi
1997	72%	1,201	73,181 mi
1996	70%	1,139	77,130 mi
1995	73%	361	83,075 mi
1994	71%	511	80,048 mi
1993	69%	819	92,842 mi
1992	76%	616	91,991 mi
1991	74%	789	91,515 mi
1990	75%	482	83,845 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Ford Focus

2019 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,824/year

89%

-4%

Mercedes A

2019 · 1461cc Diesel

£1,674/year

91%

-2%

Ford Kuga

2019 · 1997cc Diesel

£1,852/year

91%

-2%

Kia Sportage

2019 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,824/year

89%

-4%

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About the 2021 Volkswagen Polo

The 2021 Volkswagen Polo is a small family car. Our records list a 1598cc diesel engine, though engines vary between versions. 12,920 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 22,309 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Polo owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2021 Volkswagen Polo Fuel Costs

The 1598cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 55 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,219 per year with diesel at 199.33p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2021 Volkswagen Polo?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,674 (£140/month), broken down as £1,219 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 93% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Volkswagen Polo Reliability Trend

Newer Volkswagen Polos pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 8 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2021 Volkswagen Polo

At 5 years old, the Volkswagen Polo offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. With 12,920 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

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.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Medium risk

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Low risk

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

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 Polo 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 Polo(2021)	93%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,674
Ford Focus(2019)	89%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,824+£150
Mercedes A(2019)	91%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,674same
Ford Kuga(2019)	91%	£1,397	£200	Grp 18-32	£1,852+£178
Kia Sportage(2019)	89%	£1,219	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,824+£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 Polo

Is the 2021 Volkswagen Polo reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 93% of MOT tests on 2021 Volkswagen Polos ended in a pass, from 12,920 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 11 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 Volkswagen Polo cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,674 a year (£140 a month): £1,219 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 Polo?

93% of 12,920 MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Polo ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1401st of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top half).

Which year Volkswagen Polo has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Volkswagen Polo has the highest MOT pass rate at 93% and the 2003 the lowest at 67%. 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 Polo?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Polo is 22,309 miles, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.