Volkswagen Up years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year
All 11 Volkswagen Up years have MOT pass rates above the average for vehicles first used in the same year.
- Below the average for their first-use yearNone
- Above the average for their first-use year2012–2022
- Can't be told apart from averageNone
The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.
First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 79.5% to 79.9%.
In 2025, 79.7% of the 130,716 initial MOT tests on Volkswagen Up cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 73.4%. That is 6.4 points above the same-age average.
In our tables of the highest MOT pass rates by age: joint 8th of 145 cars first used in 2020.
Check a specific Up
Volkswagen Up MOT pass rate by year
| Year | Chart | Testsmedian miles | Passed first time | Against all vehicles that year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022age 3 | 3,34014,100 | 90.9%±1.1 | +2.4 ptsall: 88.5% | |
| 2021age 4 | 4,36318,600 | 90.8%±0.9 | +3.6 ptsall: 87.2% | |
| 2020age 5 | 3,48522,000 | 90.4%±1.1 | +4.4 ptsall: 86.0% | |
| 2019age 6 | 8,29127,700 | 88.4%±0.8 | +4.9 ptsall: 83.5% | |
| 2018age 7 | 12,87233,300 | 84.8%±0.7 | +3.9 ptsall: 80.9% | |
| 2017age 8 | 13,20139,800 | 81.3%±0.7 | +3.1 ptsall: 78.2% | |
| 2016age 9 | 12,82043,900 | 76.3%±0.8 | +1.4 ptsall: 74.9% | |
| 2015age 10 | 16,27049,600 | 77.5%±0.7 | +5.6 ptsall: 71.9% | |
| 2014age 11 | 21,71456,300 | 77.5%±0.6 | +8.9 ptsall: 68.6% | |
| 2013age 12 | 20,53062,200 | 76.3%±0.6 | +10.5 ptsall: 65.8% | |
| 2012age 13 | 13,83069,700 | 73.9%±0.8 | +10.4 ptsall: 63.5% |
Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.
When a car's mileage doesn't add upDoes mileage matter?
89.6% of Volkswagen Up tests under 30,000 miles passed first time, against 60.1% at 120,000 miles or more. For all vehicles of the same age and mileage, the figures are 87.6% and 62.1%.
| Miles at the test | Tests | Passed first time | Against all vehicles, same age and mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30,000 | 36,363 | 89.6%±0.4 | +1.9 ptsall: 87.6% |
| 30,000–59,999 | 51,404 | 81.3%±0.4 | +3.5 ptsall: 77.8% |
| 60,000–89,999 | 29,842 | 72.1%±0.6 | +3.5 ptsall: 68.6% |
| 90,000–119,999 | 9,981 | 64.9%±1.0 | +1.2 ptsall: 63.6% |
| 120,000 or more | 3,024 | 60.1%±1.8 | −2.1 ptsall: 62.1% |
Against all vehicles of the same age and mileage, Up tests were above average under 120,000 miles and below average at 120,000 miles or more.
Mileage is only one factor. How a car has been driven and looked after matters too. These figures show an association across all Volkswagen Up tests in 2025, not what mileage does to a particular car.
Mileage is the odometer reading at the initial test. Each band is compared with all vehicles first used in the same year with a reading in the same band, weighted by this model's own tests in each year. Bands need at least 1,000 tests. 102 tests (0.1%) had no usable odometer reading and are left out. How we count
Common Up problems at the MOT
MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.
What to check when viewing a Up
Lights and electrics
- Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
- Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
- Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.
Brakes
- On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
- Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
- Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.
Tyres
- Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
- Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
- Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.
Suspension
- Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
- On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
- The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.
Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.
Check a Up's MOT historyAfter an MOT advisory
Tyres
Of Volkswagen Up cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 6.5% failed on tyres, against 3.0% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 17,314 and 61,844 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 6.7% of those with a tyre advisory and 6.5% of the others.
Brakes
Of Volkswagen Up cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 9.4% failed on brakes, against 4.0% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 9,797 and 69,375 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 7.2% of those with a brake advisory and 6.4% of the others.
Suspension
Of Volkswagen Up cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 9.9% failed on suspension, against 3.7% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 4,608 and 74,343 cars.
Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 7.0% of those with a suspension advisory and 6.5% of the others.
Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.
How we worked this outAll models compared, with the dataVolkswagen Up questions
Which Volkswagen Up years have lower MOT pass rates?
Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2012–2022. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.
Is the Volkswagen Up reliable?
MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 79.7% of initial MOT tests on Volkswagen Up cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 73.4%. That is 6.4 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.
What are the most common Volkswagen Up problems at the MOT?
The most common failure areas are lights and electrics (in 34.8% of failed tests), brakes (in 22.8% of failed tests) and tyres (in 20.4% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.
What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Volkswagen Up?
At their 2025 MOT tests, Volkswagen Up cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 49,600 miles. Half had more and half had less.
How do I check a specific Up's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.
Check a car's MOT history for freeWhat MOT data can't tell you about any Volkswagen Up
Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.
Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't showOther Volkswagen models
- Volkswagen Golf+4.8 pts against the same-age average
- Volkswagen Polo−3.1 pts against the same-age average
- Volkswagen Transporter−1.9 pts against the same-age average
- Volkswagen Tiguan+4.0 pts against the same-age average
- Volkswagen Passat+2.7 pts against the same-age average
- Volkswagen Caddy−2.5 pts against the same-age average
Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.
All 24 Volkswagen modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by ageSource: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Volkswagen Up cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count