2021 Volkswagen up!: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2021 Volkswagen up!s, from 3,069 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What gets flagged at MOT
The share of 2021 Volkswagen up! MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres19% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Brakes7% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Lights and electrics5% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors3% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
- Suspension2% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Driveshafts and joints1% of testsRough price £60–£350
At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.
Known faults
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- Power steering that pulls or cuts outAll engines
Some owners report the car pulling to one side, or the power steering stopping working.
At the viewing: Drive on a straight road and at low speed: the steering should feel steady and light.
- Timing belt on the 1.01.0 petrol
The 1.0 three-cylinder has a timing belt that needs replacing when it's due, a bill of up to about £500.
At the viewing: Look in the history for the timing belt change.
If it needs doing: Timing belt (cambelt) change, about £300–£700 (often with the water pump). ClickMechanic
- Airbag, child-lock and sunroof recallsAll engines
Recalls covered airbags on cars built in 2013 to 2014, and child locks and sunroofs on some 2015 to 2016 cars.
At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN, and test the child locks.
Looking at a Volkswagen up!?
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2,386 | Tyres 15% |
| 2020 | 3,255 | Tyres 23% |
| 2019 | 8,271 | Tyres 25% |
| 2018 | 12,859 | Tyres 27% |
| 2017 | 13,211 | Tyres 26% |
| 2016 | 12,836 | Tyres 26% |
| 2015 | 16,273 | Tyres 28% |
| 2014 | 21,114 | Tyres 29% |
| 2013 | 20,212 | Tyres 28% |
| 2012 | 13,836 | Tyres 29% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2021 Volkswagen up!s registered in 2021. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score