Is the 2018 VOLKSWAGEN UP reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 90% of VOLKSWAGEN UPs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 20,009 tests. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2018 VOLKSWAGEN UP cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,405 (£117/month), including £955 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2018 VOLKSWAGEN UP?

The 2018 VOLKSWAGEN UP has a 90% MOT pass rate based on 20,009 tests in 2026. This ranks 328 out of 649 cars from 2018.

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 (2018)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2018 VOLKSWAGEN UP?

The average mileage for a 2018 VOLKSWAGEN UP is 32,253 miles, 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.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 20,009 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,405

£117/month

MOT Pass Rate

90%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

999cc Petrol

Great Choice

90% pass rate, £1405/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

£955

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,405

Per month£117/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

90% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 8 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the VOLKSWAGEN brand average of 85%.

At 8 years old, 90% of VOLKSWAGEN UPs from 2018 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 20,009 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 32,253 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2018 cars328th of 649(top 51%)

Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models426th of 1,118(top 38%)

vs national average+8%(82% avg)

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

vs VOLKSWAGEN average+5%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

32,253

Average miles

59,200

Expected for age

The average 2018 VOLKSWAGEN UP has 32,253 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.

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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 2018 sits between the two at 90%.

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

£1,390/year

81%

-9%

VAUXHALL CORSA

2016 · 1398cc Petrol

£1,572/year

81%

-9%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,550/year

86%

-4%

VAUXHALL ASTRA

2016 · 999cc Petrol

£1,390/year

85%

-5%

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About the 2018 VOLKSWAGEN UP

The 2018 VOLKSWAGEN UP is a city car with a 999cc petrol engine. 20,009 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it one of the most commonly tested cars on UK roads. Among all cars from 2018, the average MOT pass rate is 89%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 32,253 miles at 8 years old, 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 £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 2018 VOLKSWAGEN UP?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,405 (£117/month), broken down as £955 fuel, £195 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 show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 7 percentage points.

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

Based on the 2018 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 2018 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(2018)	90%	£955	£195	Grp 1-8	£1405
FORD FIESTA(2016)	81%	£955	£30	Grp 1-8	£1390-£15
VAUXHALL CORSA(2016)	81%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1572+£167
NISSAN QASHQAI(2017)	86%	£955	£190	Grp 5-15	£1550+£145
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2016)	85%	£955	£30	Grp 1-8	£1390-£15

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.