CarCostCheck

VOLKSWAGEN UP (2017)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 20,516 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,555

£130/month

MOT Pass Rate

88%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

999cc Petrol

Solid Option

88% pass rate, £1555/year to run. 6 points above average.

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Petrol999cc9 years old20,516 tests39k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 999cc)

~50 mpg

£955
Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,555
Per month£130/mo
Per week£30/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

88% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%.

At 9 years old, 88% of VOLKSWAGEN UPs from 2017 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 20,516 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 39,002 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2017 cars302th of 579(top 52%)
Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models519th of 1,118(top 46%)
vs national average+6%(82% avg)
vs 2017 cars average+1%(87% avg)
vs VOLKSWAGEN average+3%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

39,002

Average miles

vs

66,600

Expected for age

The average 2017 VOLKSWAGEN UP has 39,002 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 66,600 miles for a 9-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 2017 sits between the two at 88%.

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 2017 VOLKSWAGEN UP

The 2017 VOLKSWAGEN UP is a city car with a 999cc petrol engine. 20,516 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2017, the average MOT pass rate is 87%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 39,002 miles at 9 years old, VOLKSWAGEN UP owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2017 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 2017 VOLKSWAGEN UP?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,555 130/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 88% 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 2017 VOLKSWAGEN UP

At 9 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 20,516 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2017 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.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2017 VOLKSWAGEN UP stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VOLKSWAGEN UP(2017)88%£955£195Grp 1-8£1555
FORD FIESTA(2015)81%£955£30Grp 1-8£1390-£165
VAUXHALL CORSA(2015)78%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722+£167
NISSAN QASHQAI(2017)86%£955£190Grp 5-15£1550-£5
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2015)82%£955£30Grp 5-15£1390-£165

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.

Related Volkswagen Models

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Related Guides

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