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Volkswagen Up (2014)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 33,757 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,600

£133/month

MOT Pass Rate

86%

Good

Road Tax

£20

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

999cc Petrol

Solid Option

86% pass rate, £1,600/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol999cc12 years old33,757 tests56k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 999cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175
Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£20
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,600
Per month£133/mo
Per week£31/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

86% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data.

86% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Ups from 2014 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 10 years old. That's based on 33,757 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 56,147 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2014 models237th of 527(top half)
Rank among Volkswagen models589th of 1,086(bottom half)
vs average of all models+4%(82% avg)
vs 2014 models average+5%(81% avg)
vs Volkswagen average+1%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

56,147

Average miles

vs

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2014 Volkswagen Up had 56,147 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2020 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%, while the 2012 model has the lowest at 84%. The 2014 scores 86%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

Volkswagen Up by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202493%16759,939 mi
202393%4356,946 mi
202298%4912,515 mi
202195%1,33916,529 mi
202095%2,66119,544 mi
201993%12,88926,676 mi
201890%20,00932,253 mi
201788%20,51639,002 mi
201686%20,19443,097 mi
201586%25,33749,747 mi
201486%33,75756,147 mi
201386%33,93361,769 mi
201284%23,44169,357 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

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About the 2014 Volkswagen Up

The 2014 Volkswagen Up is a city car. Our records list a 999cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 33,757 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2014, the average MOT pass rate is 81%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 56,147 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Up owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2014 Volkswagen Up Fuel Costs

The modest 999cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2014 Volkswagen Up?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,600 (£133/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 86% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Volkswagen Up 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.

Buying a Used 2014 Volkswagen Up

At 12 years old, the Volkswagen Up is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 95%. With 33,757 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

What the 2014 Volkswagen Up Fails Its MOT On

Share of the 4,764 MOT tests on the 2014 Volkswagen Up that failed at the first attempt in 2025, next to all cars and vans of the same age.

  • Lights and electrics34%

    Same age: 37%

  • Brakes26%

    Same age: 21%

  • Tyres19%

    Same age: 22%

  • Suspension18%

    Same age: 35% (fails on this less often)

DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2025; a test that failed on two areas counts in both. How we count it · Volkswagen Up reliability, common problems and years to avoid

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2014 Volkswagen Up stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrEst. Ins. GroupTotal/yr
Volkswagen Up(2014)86%£1,175£20Grp 1-8£1,600
Ford Fiesta(2015)81%£1,175£20Grp 1-8£1,600same
Vauxhall Corsa(2015)78%£1,398£200Grp 8-20£2,153+£553
Nissan Qashqai(2016)83%£1,175£170Grp 5-15£1,750+£150
Volkswagen Polo(2015)82%£1,175£170Grp 5-15£1,750+£150

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2014 Volkswagen Up

Is the 2014 Volkswagen Up reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 86% of MOT tests on 2014 Volkswagen Ups ended in a pass, from 33,757 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 4 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2014 Volkswagen Up cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,600 a year (£133 a month): £1,175 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2014 Volkswagen Up?

86% of 33,757 MOT tests on the 2014 Volkswagen Up ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 237th of 527 models first registered in 2014 (top half).

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% and the 2012 the lowest at 84%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2014 Volkswagen Up?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2014 Volkswagen Up is 56,147 miles, which is below the expected 74,000 miles for a 10-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Related Volkswagen Models

Explore other Volkswagen cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Volkswagen Up.

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