Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI (2021)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 592 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£1,630
£136/month
MOT Pass Rate
96%
Excellent
Road Tax
£200
Standard rate/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 1-8
999cc Petrol
Great Choice
96% pass rate, £1,630/year to run. 14 points above average.
Check a specific Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI
Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.
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 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Volkswagen brand average of 85%.
96% of MOT tests on Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSIs from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 592 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 21,987 miles.
Got a Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI you're looking at?
Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.
How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
21,987
Average miles
22,200
Expected for age
The average 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI had 21,987 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.
Looking at a specific Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI?
Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.
Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
Check a Specific Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI
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 T-Cross Active TSI
The 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI is a city car. Our records list a 999cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 592 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It ranks in the top 17% of all 2021 models for MOT pass rate.
With an average of 21,987 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI owners drive about as much as the UK average.
2021 Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI 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 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI?
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 96% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
Buying a Used 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI
At 5 years old, the Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI 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.
Coil Pack Failure
Medium 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 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI 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 T-Cross Active TSI(2021) | 96% | £1,175 | £200 | Grp 1-8 | £1,630 |
| Ford Fiesta(2019) | 91% | £1,175 | £200 | Grp 1-8 | £1,630same |
| Volkswagen Golf(2019) | 92% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853+£223 |
| Vauxhall Corsa(2019) | 88% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 8-20 | £2,003+£373 |
| MINI Cooper(2019) | 92% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853+£223 |
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 T-Cross Active TSI
Is the 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI reliable?
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 96% of MOT tests on 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSIs ended in a pass, from 592 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 14 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI 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 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI?
96% of 592 MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 534th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top 17%).
What is the average mileage for a 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI is 21,987 miles, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.
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 T-Cross Active TSI.
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 T-Cross Active TSI
Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.
Premium History Check
Buying a Volkswagen T-Cross Active TSI? Our premium check covers:
- Stolen check (PNC)
- Outstanding finance
- Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
- Previous owners count
With outstanding finance included