Volkswagen Polo Life (2022)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 67 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£1,630
£136/month
MOT Pass Rate
94%
Excellent
Road Tax
£200
Standard rate/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 1-8
999cc Petrol
Great Choice
94% pass rate, £1,630/year to run. 12 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~50 mpg
Standard rate (from April 2017)
Low estimate due to excellent reliability
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
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Volkswagen brand average of 85%.
94% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Polo Lifes from 2022 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 2 years old. That's based on 67 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 18,906 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
18,906
Average miles
14,800
Expected for age
The average 2022 Volkswagen Polo Life had 18,906 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is above the expected 14,800 miles for a 2-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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About the 2022 Volkswagen Polo Life
The 2022 Volkswagen Polo Life is a city car. Our records list a 999cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 67 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2022, the average MOT pass rate is 94%, and this model matches that benchmark.
With an average of 18,906 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Polo Life owners cover more miles than the average driver.
2022 Volkswagen Polo Life Fuel Costs
The modest 999cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 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 2022 Volkswagen Polo Life?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,630 (£136/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
Buying a Used 2022 Volkswagen Polo Life
At 4 years old, the Volkswagen Polo Life offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. Note: with only 67 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.
Coil Pack Failure
Low riskSmaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.
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 2022 Volkswagen Polo Life 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 Life(2022) | 94% | £1,175 | £200 | Grp 1-8 | £1,630 |
| MINI Cooper(2020) | 93% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853+£223 |
| Ford Fiesta(2020) | 91% | £1,175 | £200 | Grp 1-8 | £1,630same |
| Nissan Qashqai(2021) | 94% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 8-20 | £1,853+£223 |
| Audi Q2(2020) | 94% | £1,175 | £200 | Grp 1-8 | £1,630same |
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 2022 Volkswagen Polo Life
Is the 2022 Volkswagen Polo Life reliable?
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of MOT tests on 2022 Volkswagen Polo Lifes ended in a pass, from 67 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 2022 Volkswagen Polo Life cost to run?
Our estimate is £1,630 a year (£136 a month): £1,175 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 2022 Volkswagen Polo Life?
94% of 67 MOT tests on the 2022 Volkswagen Polo Life ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 637th of 1,057 models first registered in 2022 (bottom half).
What is the average mileage for a 2022 Volkswagen Polo Life?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2022 Volkswagen Polo Life is 18,906 miles, which is above the expected 14,800 miles for a 2-year-old car. Higher-mileage cars often have more motorway miles, which is generally less harmful than stop-start urban driving.
Related Volkswagen Models
Explore other Volkswagen cars or similar models in the same category.
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2015 · 1198cc Petrol
Volkswagen Tiguan
2018 · 1968cc Diesel
MINI Cooper
2020 · 1499cc Petrol
Ford Fiesta
2020 · 998cc Petrol
Nissan Qashqai
2021 · 1332cc Petrol
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