City car brilliance with proper VW build quality
The Up carved out a premium niche in the UK city car segment from 2012 to 2023, consistently praised as one of the best micro cars ever made. Used prices range from £2,500 for pre-facelift models to £15,000 for late e-Up electrics or GTI variants. The GTI version with its 1.0-litre turbo (115hp) commands £9,000+ used, while the e-Up electric offers 150+ miles range and is barely more expensive than petrol equivalents on the used market.
We track 5 known issues across the Volkswagen UP range, with 2 classified as significant. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Volkswagen UP? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
AA (2012–2019) — Engine options included the 1.0 MPI, 1.0 TSI. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 2 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Brake actuator leakage (£150–£400 to address).
AA2 (2020–2024) — Engine options included the 1.0 MPI, 1.0 TSI. We track 5 known issues on this generation, with 2 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Brake actuator leakage (£150–£400 to address).
The Up experiences brake actuator leaks at up to 10.5 times the fleet average, particularly on higher-mileage examples. This affects the hydraulic brake system components and can progress from minor seepage to performance-affecting leaks. The trend is worsening across recent MOT test years, suggesting this is an emerging durability issue.
Brake actuator leaks can progress from minor seepage to significant performance reduction. In severe cases, braking effectiveness is compromised, creating a safety risk. Early detection allows for cost-effective repair before complete actuator replacement is needed.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The Up fails MOT tests for insufficient brake pedal reserve travel at 9.9 times the fleet average, with the highest failure rate on cars over 120,000 miles. This indicates wear in the brake system causing the pedal to travel too far before effective braking begins. The trend is worsening, suggesting this develops as a common age-related issue on this platform.
Excessive brake pedal travel reduces braking confidence and effectiveness. This typically indicates worn brake components, air in the system, or hydraulic problems. Without repair, braking performance will continue to deteriorate and the car will fail MOT tests.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
The Up shows an exceptionally high rate of fuel system leaks and filler cap issues, failing MOT tests at 28.4 times the national fleet average. This covers leaking fuel lines, ineffective filler cap seals, and fuel tank ventilation problems. The issue affects cars across all mileage ranges from new to high-mileage examples, suggesting a design weakness rather than age-related deterioration.
Fuel leaks present a fire risk and will cause MOT failure. Small leaks may initially appear as advisories but typically worsen over time. Filler cap replacement is inexpensive but fuel line repairs can be more costly and require specialist attention.
Check for fuel smells around the engine bay and underneath the car. Look for staining or wetness around fuel lines and connections. Injector issues may cause rough running or misfires that are most noticeable at idle.
The Up shows elevated emissions failures at up to This occurs across all mileage ranges including relatively new cars, with a worsening trend in recent years. The pattern suggests issues with the emissions control system components rather than simple catalyst deterioration.
Emissions failures will prevent MOT passes and may indicate developing engine problems. Simple issues like faulty lambda sensors or spark plugs are relatively inexpensive to fix. More complex problems affecting the catalytic converter or engine management system can be costlier to resolve.
Check for any engine warning lights on the dashboard. Ask about the car's MOT emissions history — repeated failures suggest underlying issues. A pre-purchase diagnostic scan is especially worthwhile to check for stored emissions fault codes.
The Up experiences handbrake adjustment problems at up to 8 times the fleet average, particularly on higher-mileage cars. The mechanical handbrake system loses adjustment over time, requiring excessive lever travel to achieve proper braking force. This is a common wear item but the Up appears more susceptible than average.
Poor handbrake adjustment will cause MOT failure and reduces parking safety, particularly on slopes. Adjustment is typically straightforward and inexpensive, but worn cables or mechanisms may require component replacement.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Volkswagen UP common problems page.
Based on 615k real DVSA MOT tests, the Volkswagen UP fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is fuel system leaking, or missing or ineffective ... at 38x the fleet average, followed by fire risk due to fuel tank shield or exhaust sh... (17x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Volkswagen UP MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
See the full Volkswagen UP service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Volkswagen UP is a reasonable used buy provided you check for the issues outlined above. None of the problems we track are insurmountable, but they do reward buyers who inspect thoroughly and verify the service history before committing. 2016-2019 post-facelift models are the sweet spot — improved infotainment, refreshed styling, and most early electrical niggles resolved. Prices from £5,000-£8,000. The GTI (2018-2023) is a future classic but check gearbox oil has been changed every 30,000 miles. Avoid the ASG automated gearbox entirely — always choose manual. For e-Up, 2020+ models have the larger 36.8kWh battery with usable real-world range.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Volkswagen UP, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Volkswagen UP issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.