CarCostCheck

VOLKSWAGEN UP (2016)

Running costs, common problems, and reliability data based on 20,194 real MOT tests in 2024.

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MOT Pass Rate

86%

Total Tests (2024)

20,194

Avg Mileage

43,097 mi

Est. Annual Cost

£1,390

Is the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 8 years old, 86% of VOLKSWAGEN UPs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2024. That's based on 20,194 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 43,097 miles.

How does the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP compare?

Rank among all 2016 cars356th out of 586(top 61%)
Rank among all VOLKSWAGEN models597th out of 1,118(top 53%)
vs national average+4% (82% avg)
vs 2016 cars average+1% (85% avg)
vs VOLKSWAGEN average+1% (85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

The average 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP has 43,097 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 59,200 miles for a 8-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Best year to buy a VOLKSWAGEN UP?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 95% MOT pass rate, while the 2012 model has the lowest at 84%. The 2016 sits between the two at 86%.

How much does a 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP cost to run?

⛽Fuel (Petrol, 999cc)
£955
🏛️Road Tax
£30
🔧MOT Test
£55
🛠️Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,390
Per month£116/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

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

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About the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP

The 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP is a city car with a 999cc petrol engine. 20,194 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2016, the average MOT pass rate is 85%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 43,097 miles at 8 years old, VOLKSWAGEN UP owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2016 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 £955 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,390 (£116/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £30 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 show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 7 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP

At 8 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 95%. With 20,194 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Alternatives to the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP

The VOLKSWAGEN UP is actually the most reliable option among similar petrol city cars from this era. Here are comparable petrol cars with similar engines: