2020 Volkswagen up!: common problems and MOT failures
What MOT testers find on the Volkswagen up! first registered in 2020: we looked at the 3,255 MOTs these cars had during 2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Common 2020 Volkswagen up! MOT failures and advisories
The share of 2020 Volkswagen up! MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Tyres23% 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.
- Brakes11% 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.
- Suspension4% 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.
- 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.
- Seats and seatbelts1% of testsRough price £80–£250
At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.
Known faults on the 2020 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.
- All engines
Power steering that pulls or cuts out
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.
- 1.0 petrol
Timing belt on the 1.0
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
- All engines
Airbag, child-lock and sunroof recalls
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.
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Volkswagen up!
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has the steering had any work?
- When was the timing belt last changed?
- Has all the recall work been done?
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
Looking at a Volkswagen up!?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Other years
Every year of the Volkswagen up! compared
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2024 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2023 | – | Too new for MOT data |
| 2022 | 2,386 | Tyres 15% |
| 2021 | 3,069 | Tyres 19% |
| 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 done in Great Britain during 2025, counting the MOTs of Volkswagen up! cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score