Volkswagen Up White Edition (2021)
Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 171 MOT tests in 2024.
Annual Cost
£1,630
£136/month
MOT Pass Rate
92%
Excellent
Road Tax
£200
Standard rate/year
Est. Insurance
Grp 1-8
999cc Petrol
Great Choice
92% pass rate, £1,630/year to run. 10 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 10 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Volkswagen brand average of 85%.
92% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Up White Editions from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 171 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 17,147 miles.
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How Does It Compare?
Mileage Analysis
17,147
Average miles
22,200
Expected for age
The average 2021 Volkswagen Up White Edition had 17,147 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
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Best Year to Buy?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 2021 model has the lowest at 92%. 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 Up White Edition by Year
Similar Cars to Consider
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About the 2021 Volkswagen Up White Edition
The 2021 Volkswagen Up White Edition is a city car. Our records list a 999cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 171 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all models from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model matches that benchmark.
With an average of 17,147 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Up White Edition owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.
2021 Volkswagen Up White Edition 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 Up White Edition?
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 92% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.
Buying a Used 2021 Volkswagen Up White Edition
At 5 years old, the Volkswagen Up White Edition 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 Up White Edition 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 Up White Edition(2021) | 92% | £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 Up White Edition
Is the 2021 Volkswagen Up White Edition reliable?
Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 92% of MOT tests on 2021 Volkswagen Up White Editions ended in a pass, from 171 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 10 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.
How much does a 2021 Volkswagen Up White Edition 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 Up White Edition?
92% of 171 MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Up White Edition ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 2017th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (bottom half).
Which year Volkswagen Up White Edition has the best MOT pass rate?
Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Volkswagen Up White Edition has the highest MOT pass rate at 94% and the 2021 the lowest at 92%. 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 Up White Edition?
The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Volkswagen Up White Edition is 17,147 miles, which is below the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.
Related Volkswagen Models
Explore other Volkswagen cars or similar models in the same category.
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2018 · 1968cc Diesel
Ford Fiesta
2019 · 998cc Petrol
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2019 · 1498cc Petrol
Vauxhall Corsa
2019 · 1398cc Petrol
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