Volkswagen Tiguan Active TSI (2021)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 625 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£1,853
£154/month
MOT Pass Rate
93%
Excellent
Road Tax
£200
Standard rate/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 12-25
1498cc Petrol
Great Choice
93% pass rate, £1,853/year to run. 11 points above average.
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Annual Running Costs
~42 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 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 Tiguan Active TSIs from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 625 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 26,205 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
26,205
Average miles
22,200
Expected for age
The average 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Active TSI had 26,205 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 Tiguan Active TSI by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Active TSI
The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Active TSI is a small family car. Our records list a 1498cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 625 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.
With an average of 26,205 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Tiguan Active TSI owners drive about as much as the UK average.
2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Active TSI 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 Tiguan Active TSI?
Total estimated annual running cost is £1,853 (£154/month), broken down as £1,398 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.
Buying a Used 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Active TSI
At 5 years old, the Volkswagen Tiguan 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.
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 Tiguan 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 Tiguan Active TSI(2021) | 93% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853 |
| Ford Fiesta(2019) | 91% | £1,175 | £200 | Grp 1-8 | £1,630-£223 |
| Volkswagen Golf(2019) | 92% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853same |
| Vauxhall Corsa(2019) | 88% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 8-20 | £2,003+£150 |
| Nissan Qashqai(2020) | 93% | £1,398 | £200 | Grp 12-25 | £1,853same |
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 Tiguan Active TSI
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Active TSI reliable?
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 93% of MOT tests on 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Active TSIs ended in a pass, from 625 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 Tiguan Active TSI cost to run?
Our estimate is £1,853 a year (£154 a month): £1,398 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 Tiguan Active TSI?
93% of 625 MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Active TSI ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1567th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top half).
What is the average mileage for a 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Active TSI?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan Active TSI is 26,205 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
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