Volkswagen Up

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 13 model years from 194,335 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

90%

Total Tests

194,335

Highest Pass Rate

2020 (95%)

Years Covered

About the Volkswagen Up

The Volkswagen Up was MOT tested 194,335 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 13 model years (2012 to 2024), with an average pass rate of 90%. That's comfortably above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 95% from 2,661 tests. The 2012 model has the lowest at 84%. The 11 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer Volkswagen Ups pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 7 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (2012) averages 69,357 miles, while the newest (2024) averages 59,939 miles.

Compared to the Volkswagen brand average of 85%, the Up performs 5 points better, making it one of the more reliable options in the Volkswagen range.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 998cc)

£1,175

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,630

Per month£136/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2024 details

How reliable is the Volkswagen Up?

vs average of all models+8% (82% avg)

vs Volkswagen brand average+5% (85% avg)

Best to worst year spread11 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Volkswagen Up by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2024	93%	167	59,939 mi
2023	93%	43	56,946 mi
2022	98%	49	12,515 mi
2021	95%	1,339	16,529 mi
2020	95%	2,661	19,544 mi
2019	93%	12,889	26,676 mi
2018	90%	20,009	32,253 mi
2017	88%	20,516	39,002 mi
2016	86%	20,194	43,097 mi
2015	86%	25,337	49,747 mi
2014	86%	33,757	56,147 mi
2013	86%	33,933	61,769 mi
2012	84%	23,441	69,357 mi

Questions about the Volkswagen Up

Is the Volkswagen Up reliable?

Across its 13 model years in our data (2012 to 2024), the Volkswagen Up averages a 90% MOT pass rate, from 194,335 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2020 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 95%.

Which year Volkswagen Up has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 Volkswagen Up has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%, while the 2012 model has the lowest at 84%, a 11 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.