How much does a 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,380 (£115/month), including £955 fuel, £20 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP?

The 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP has a 86% MOT pass rate based on 20,194 tests in 2026. This ranks 356 out of 586 cars from 2016.

Which year VOLKSWAGEN UP is most reliable?

The 2020 VOLKSWAGEN UP has the highest MOT pass rate at 95%. The least reliable year is 2012 at 84%.

VOLKSWAGEN UP (2016)

Q: Is the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 86% of VOLKSWAGEN UPs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 20,194 tests. That's 4 points above the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP?

The average mileage for a 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP is 43,097 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.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 20,194 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,380

£115/month

MOT Pass Rate

86%

Good

Road Tax

£20

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

999cc Petrol

Solid Option

86% pass rate, £1380/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol999cc10 years old20,194 tests43k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 999cc)

~50 mpg

£955

Road Tax

Based on 999cc

£20

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,380

Per month£115/mo

Per week£27/wk

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

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Reliability Verdict

86% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

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

At 10 years old, 86% of VOLKSWAGEN UPs from 2016 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 20,194 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 43,097 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2016 cars356th of 586(top 61%)

Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models597th 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

43,097

Average miles

74,000

Expected for age

The average 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP has 43,097 miles on the clock, 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?

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%.

VOLKSWAGEN UP by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FIESTA

2015 · 998cc Petrol

£1,390/year

81%

-5%

VAUXHALL CORSA

2015 · 1398cc Petrol

£1,722/year

78%

-8%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,550/year

86%

same

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

2015 · 1198cc Petrol

£1,390/year

82%

-4%

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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 2026, 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 10 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 £1,380 (£115/month), broken down as £955 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 show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 7 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP

At 10 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 20,194 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 2016 VOLKSWAGEN UP stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VOLKSWAGEN UP(2016)	86%	£955	£20	Grp 1-8	£1380
FORD FIESTA(2015)	81%	£955	£30	Grp 1-8	£1390+£10
VAUXHALL CORSA(2015)	78%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722+£342
NISSAN QASHQAI(2017)	86%	£955	£190	Grp 5-15	£1550+£170
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2015)	82%	£955	£30	Grp 5-15	£1390+£10

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.