Volkswagen UP common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Volkswagen UP at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 121,407 UK MOT tests of the Volkswagen UP in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is service brake performance (excessively binding): recorded on 4.6% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 15× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: service brake performance (binding but not excessively) (10×); tyres (a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure) (6.4×); exhaust system (a minor leak of exhaust gases) (5.5×). The most common reasons a Volkswagen UP fails its MOT are wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); service brake performance (excessively binding); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Volkswagen UP
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Volkswagen UP than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service brake performance: excessively binding | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 4.6% | 0.3% | 15× | 522 |
| Service brake performance: binding but not excessively | Advisory | 2017–2019 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 4% | 0.4% | 10× | 1,108 |
| Tyres (condition): has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | MOT fail | 2020–2022 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.2% | 0.5% | 6.4× | 752 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | Advisory | 2013–2015 | 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 6% | 1.1% | 5.5× | 436 |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps | MOT fail | 2014–2016 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 7.9% | 1.7% | 4.6× | 761 |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Advisory | 2017–2019 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.2% | 1% | 3.2× | 14,561 |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.2% | 1.2% | 2.7× | 2,188 |
| Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | Advisory | 2017–2019 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 16% | 7.3% | 2.2× | 4,913 |
Volkswagen UP by mileage (2013–2015 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 5,435 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (13%) | — |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 16,256 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (15%) | — |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 17,865 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | Service brake performance: binding but not excessively (3%, 2.7×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 10,759 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Service brake performance: excessively binding (3%, 4.3×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 4,403 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Service brake performance: excessively binding (3.5%, 5×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 1,493 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Service brake performance: binding but not excessively (6.7%, 4.8×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 436 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (21%) | Service brake performance: excessively binding (4.6%, 6.6×) |
Volkswagen UP by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 13,839 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (4.1×) |
| 2013 | 19,731 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (4.6×) |
| 2014 | 20,897 | Service brake performance: excessively binding at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (6.6×) |
| 2015 | 16,246 | Service brake performance: binding but not excessively at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (6.1×) |
| 2016 | 12,828 | Service brake performance: excessively binding at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (9.5×) |
| 2017 | 13,232 | Service brake performance: excessively binding at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (15×) |
| 2018 | 12,904 | Service brake performance: binding but not excessively at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (10×) |
| 2019 | 8,284 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.9×) |
| 2020 | 3,332 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.5×) |
| 2021 | 107 | Tyres (condition): has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (6.4×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Volkswagen UP?
In 121,407 UK MOT tests of the Volkswagen UP in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is service brake performance (excessively binding): recorded on 4.6% of tests of 2016–2018 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 15× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: service brake performance (binding but not excessively) (10×); tyres (a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure) (6.4×); exhaust system (a minor leak of exhaust gases) (5.5×). The most common reasons a Volkswagen UP fails its MOT are wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively); service brake performance (excessively binding); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm).
Why do Volkswagen UPs fail the MOT?
Across 121,407 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Volkswagen UP were wipers (does not clear the windscreen effectively) (2.7% of tests); service brake performance (excessively binding) (3.2% of tests); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm) (2.9% of tests).
At what mileage do Volkswagen UP problems start?
The clearest Volkswagen UP-specific issue, service brake performance (excessively binding), peaks against other cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) on 2016–2018 cars (4.6% of tests vs 0.3% for all cars that age).
Where does this Volkswagen UP data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 121,407 tests of the Volkswagen UP. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.