Volkswagen UP
Registered from 2006 to 2021.
About this model
The Volkswagen Up is a city car which was produced by the Volkswagen Group from 2011 to 2023. It is part of the New Small Family (NSF) series of models, alongside the SEAT Mii and Škoda Citigo which are rebadged versions of the Up, with slightly different front and rear fascias. Production began in December 2011 at the Volkswagen Plant in Bratislava, Slovakia, with Volkswagen do Brasil making the model in Taubaté from February 2014 until 2021. The SEAT and Škoda versions were also manufactured in the Bratislava factory, before being withdrawn from sale in 2021 and 2020 respectively. Production of the Up ended in October 2023. A battery electric version, called E-up, was launched in autumn 2013.
From the Wikipedia article Volkswagen Up, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2014 1.0 petrol. 3,069 of 23,747 tests failed, 13%.
Better than 74% of 2014 cars. The typical one fails 17%, across 870 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 35% | 1,085 |
| Tyres and wheels | 25% | 781 |
| Lights and electrics | 19% | 582 |
| Visibility | 18% | 550 |
| Suspension | 14% | 420 |
| Body and structure | 13% | 413 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective filler cap
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Brakes — 35% of its failures
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Tyres and wheels — 25% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Suspension — 14% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 19% of its failures
- Visibility — 18% of its failures
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Body and structure — 13% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 140–160k miles this one fails 27% of its inspections, against the 23% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 5% | 7% | 2,089 | |
| 20–40k miles | 8% | 11% | 6,484 | |
| 40–60k miles | 14% | 15% | 7,728 | |
| 60–80k miles | 17% | 19% | 4,612 | |
| 80–100k miles | 19% | 21% | 1,916 | |
| 100–120k miles | 23% | 23% | 664 | |
| 120–140k miles | 24% | 23% | 157 | |
| 140–160k miles | 27% | 23% | 49 |
23,699 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 40k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.0 petrol · 64 hp · 991 kg · 2410 mm wheelbase · 4.9 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 1.0 petrol · 62 hp · 978 kg · 2410 mm wheelbase · 5.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1.0 petrol · 85 hp · 975 kg · 2408 mm wheelbase · 5.2 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 1.0 petrol · 82 hp · 962 kg · 2407 mm wheelbase · 5.2 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 1.0 petrol · 64 hp · 942 kg · 2407 mm wheelbase · 4.0 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1.0 petrol · 67 hp · 941 kg · 2407 mm wheelbase · 4.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 1.0 petrol · 66 hp · 938 kg · 2407 mm wheelbase · 4.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 1.0 petrol · 66 hp · 939 kg · 2407 mm wheelbase · 4.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 1.0 petrol · 932 kg · 2407 mm wheelbase · 4.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 1.0 petrol · 67 hp · 935 kg · 2413 mm wheelbase · 4.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/02686/24
The propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/03004/23
The propellant in the front passenger airbag can deteriorate due to high humidity and temperature variations. In the event of an accident in which the airbag deploys, this could result in fragments from the inflator casing coming loose and injuring the vehicle’s occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/1319/18
A poorly welded towing eye may have been included in the vehicle's tool kit. As a consequence, it could break off during towing and the vehicle being towed would lose forward propulsion and, on becoming detached, the towing rope may hit people or objects.
Recall of the product from end users