Volkswagen Up (2018)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 20,009 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,630

£136/month

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 1-8

999cc Petrol

Great Choice

90% pass rate, £1,630/year to run. 8 points above average.

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Petrol999cc8 years old20,009 tests32k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 999cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,630

Per month£136/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. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

90% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Volkswagen brand average of 85%.

90% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Ups from 2018 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 6 years old. That's based on 20,009 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 32,253 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 models298th of 607(top half)

Rank among Volkswagen models425th of 1,086(top half)

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

vs 2018 models average+1%(89% avg)

vs Volkswagen average+5%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

32,253

Average miles

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2018 Volkswagen Up had 32,253 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-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 2018 scores 90%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

2016 · 998cc Petrol

£1,600/year

81%

-9%

Vauxhall Corsa

2016 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,003/year

81%

-9%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

-4%

Vauxhall Astra

2016 · 999cc Petrol

£1,600/year

85%

-5%

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About the 2018 Volkswagen Up

The 2018 Volkswagen Up is a city car. Our records list a 999cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 20,009 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 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 32,253 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Volkswagen Up owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2018 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 2018 Volkswagen Up?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,630 (£136/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 90% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

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 2018 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 20,009 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

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.

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 2018 Volkswagen Up stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Volkswagen Up(2018)	90%	£1,175	£200	Grp 1-8	£1,630
Ford Fiesta(2016)	81%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£30
Vauxhall Corsa(2016)	81%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,003+£373
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780+£150
Vauxhall Astra(2016)	85%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£30

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 2018 Volkswagen Up

Is the 2018 Volkswagen Up reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 90% of MOT tests on 2018 Volkswagen Ups ended in a pass, from 20,009 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.

How much does a 2018 Volkswagen Up cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,630 a year (£136 a month): £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 Volkswagen Up?

90% of 20,009 MOT tests on the 2018 Volkswagen Up ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 298th of 607 models first registered in 2018 (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 2018 Volkswagen Up?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2018 Volkswagen Up is 32,253 miles, which is below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.