2012 Volkswagen up!: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Volkswagen up!?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Volkswagen up! than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Braking performance1.9× usual
  Volkswagen up!

  9.5% All 2012 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Steering rack inner joints2.2× usual
  Volkswagen up!

  4.3% All 2012 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2012 Volkswagen up! MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Volkswagen up! MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  29% 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.

• Brakes
  23% 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.

• Suspension
  15% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  13% 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 mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Exhaust and emissions
  6% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Known faults on the 2012 Volkswagen up!

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 out

  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

  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

  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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 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 1.9× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen up! as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2012 Volkswagen up! as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?