Used buying checklist
Volkswagen Up reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Volkswagen Up looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 11.9% of 135,870 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, suspension and steering, and corrosion and structure.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, suspension and steering, and corrosion and structure.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, suspension and steering, and corrosion and structure, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 11.9% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 39,997 miles
- 16,208 failed MOT tests analysed
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest area to check
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (6.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view, does not clear the windscreen effectively, and provides insufficient washer liquid.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
- does not clear the windscreen effectively
- provides insufficient washer liquid
- Items removed from drivers view prior to test
- across an axle
- ball joint excessively worn
- Play in steering rack inner joint(s)
- ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated
- ferrule excessively corroded
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
Focus on windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, suspension and steering, and corrosion and structure
The model's recorded failure rate is 11.9%, -6.8 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed135,870 tests
- Median tested mileage39,997 miles
- Failed MOT tests16,208
Should you buy a used Volkswagen Up?
88.1% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 11.9%, -6.8 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, suspension and steering, and corrosion and structure
- windscreen, wipers, and mirrors appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, suspension and steering, and corrosion and structure.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, suspension and steering, and corrosion and structure, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (6.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Volkswagen Up, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
The MOT failure rate rises from 3.1% at 0-3 years to 15.0% at 10-15 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, suspension and steering, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (6.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (4.2 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (3.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.9 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Volkswagen Up, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (6.4 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Volkswagen Up mainly involve 2 areas: seatbelts and safety systems and mixed recall notices. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Volkswagen Up, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, suspension and steering, and corrosion and structure.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 86,715 | 76,248 | 9.1%-1.7 percentage points vs all models | 28,632 miles |
| 50-100k | 44,064 | 36,036 | 16.4%-4.3 percentage points vs all models | 65,115 miles |
| 100-150k | 4,325 | 3,346 | 22.4%-3.8 percentage points vs all models | 111,478 miles |
| 150-200k | 295 | 225 | 24.4%-2.9 percentage points vs all models | 163,268 miles |
| 200k+ | 30 | 22 | 30.0%+3.4 percentage points vs all models | 209,164 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Volkswagen Up, MOT records most often point to suspension and steering, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and windscreen, wipers, and mirrors.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 3.1% at 0-3 years to 15.0% at 10-15 years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 15.0% for 10-15 years cars, based on 26,543 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
1,533 | 1,483 | 3.1%-5.4 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
33,225 | 29,547 | 8.0%-2.6 percentage points vs all models | 5.0 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
74,569 | 63,394 | 12.8%-3.9 percentage points vs all models | 8.5 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
26,543 | 21,999 | 15.0%-8.5 percentage points vs all models | 10.7 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2025-08-22 | Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement Urgent Safety Warning – Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Our information shows your vehicle was originally allocated to or used for an extended period of time in a region with a climate zone considered to as HIGH RISK. Issue: The front airbag in your VW vehicle contains an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. Risk: If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle. The front airbag must be replaced. Immediate Action Required: Stop driving your vehicle immediately. Contact the Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (MONDAY to FRIDAY 9:00AM to 5:00PM to arrange your recall service. |
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| 2023-06-13 | Takata Front airbag The function of the driver airbag inflators can degrade due to air and moisture ingress. Replace airbag |
| 2017-12-21 | TOWING EYE IN THE VEHICLE TOOL KIT MAY DETACH DURING USE The welding of the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit may not be to specification. As a result the weld on the eye may fail during use causing loss of propulsion and the towrope with the attached eye can potentially cause property damage and personal injury. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit. |
| 2017-03-22 | AIRBAG/BELT TENSIONERS MAY NOT TRIGGER IN EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT Due to an error in the manufacturing process the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioner may not trigger in the event of a collision On affected vehicles replace air bag assembly and seatbelt pretensioner where necessary. |
| 2016-09-09 | PANORAMIC SUNROOF MAY DETACH The front panel of the panorama sunroof may not have been bonded correctly. This can lead to rattling noises during a journey. If the loosening front panel is not detected this poses a danger for the following traffic. Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the front panel of the panorama roof. |
| 2016-06-23 | CHILD LOCK MAY DISENGAGE The door child locks may disengage without driver knowledge. Though the door remains close it is possible for the door to then be opened from the inside. On affected vehicles inspect lock mechanism and replace where necessary. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Volkswagen Up. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Volkswagen reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.