CarCostCheck

VOLKSWAGEN UP (2020)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 2,661 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,405

£117/month

MOT Pass Rate

95%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 1-8

999cc Petrol

Great Choice

95% pass rate, £1405/year to run. 13 points above average.

Buying this car? Check for finance, write-offs & theft
£4.99

Check a specific VOLKSWAGEN UP

Enter a reg plate for full MOT history, mileage check, health score, running costs, and reliability data. Free, instant, no signup.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Petrol999cc6 years old2,661 tests20k 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.

🛡️

Get an insurance quote for this VOLKSWAGEN UP

Compare quotes and find the best deal

Reliability Verdict

95% MOT pass rate(Excellent)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 13 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the VOLKSWAGEN brand average of 85%.

At 6 years old, 95% of VOLKSWAGEN UPs from 2020 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 2,661 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 19,544 miles.

Got a VOLKSWAGEN UP you're looking at?

Enter the reg plate to check its specific MOT history, mileage, and health score.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2020 cars442th of 2,596(top 17%)
Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models101th of 1,118(top 9%)
vs national average+13%(82% avg)
vs 2020 cars average+3%(92% avg)
vs VOLKSWAGEN average+10%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

19,544

Average miles

vs

44,400

Expected for age

The average 2020 VOLKSWAGEN UP has 19,544 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 44,400 miles for a 6-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Looking at a specific VOLKSWAGEN UP?

Enter its reg plate for a free check with full MOT history, mileage verification, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

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

Similar Cars to Consider

Check a Specific Volkswagen Up

Enter a reg plate to get the full MOT history, health score, and mileage verification.

Upgrade to Premium (£4.99) for stolen, finance, and write-off checks.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

About the 2020 VOLKSWAGEN UP

The 2020 VOLKSWAGEN UP is a city car with a 999cc petrol engine. 2,661 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It ranks in the top 17% of all 2020 cars for reliability.

With an average of 19,544 miles at 6 years old, VOLKSWAGEN UP owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2020 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 2020 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 95% 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 2020 VOLKSWAGEN UP

At 6 years old, the VOLKSWAGEN UP offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2020 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.

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 2020 VOLKSWAGEN UP stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VOLKSWAGEN UP(2020)95%£955£195Grp 1-8£1405
FORD FIESTA(2018)90%£955£190Grp 1-8£1400-£5
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019)92%£1137£190Grp 12-25£1582+£177
VAUXHALL CORSA(2018)85%£1137£190Grp 8-20£1732+£327
NISSAN QASHQAI(2018)87%£955£190Grp 5-15£1550+£145

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

Explore other Volkswagen cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Volkswagen Up.

Check a specific VOLKSWAGEN UP

Enter the reg to see its MOT history, mileage check, and predicted costs.

GB

Free instant check using official DVSA and DVLA data

Premium History Check

Buying a VOLKSWAGEN UP? Our premium check covers:

  • Stolen check (PNC)
  • Outstanding finance
  • Write-off history (Cat A/B/N/S)
  • Previous owners count
Just £4.99 per check

Competitors charge £10-£20 for the same data

Share this page

X
GB