Volkswagen up! common problems and MOT failures

What usually goes wrong with a Volkswagen up!?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

• Power steering that pulls or cuts out

  Cars registered 2012–2023 · All 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.

  Source: Carbuyer: used VW up! buying guide

• Timing belt on the 1.0

  Cars registered 2012–2023 · 1.0 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

  Source: Carbuyer: used VW up! buying guide

• Airbag, child-lock and sunroof recalls

  Cars registered 2012–2023 · All 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.

  Source: Carbuyer: used VW up! buying guide

Common Volkswagen up! MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

• Braking performance

  up to 2.6× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints

  up to 2.3× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)

  up to 5.3× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2015 and 2016.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Sidelights

  up to 2.8× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2015 and 2016.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Number plates

  up to 2.6× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2017 and 2018.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Volkswagen up! MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2012 Volkswagen up! did best (75% passed first time, 11 points above all 2012 cars) and the 2016 did worst (78%, 1 point above all 2016 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volkswagen up!

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the steering had any work?
2. When was the timing belt last changed?
3. Has all the recall work been done?
4. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the Volkswagen up! as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the Volkswagen up! as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 5.3× as often on the Volkswagen up! as on other cars the same age.)