One of the simplest cars Volkswagen has made in decades. The Up shares its platform and 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine with the Seat Mii and Skoda Citigo. With no turbo, no direct injection, and drum brakes at the rear, there is very little to go wrong mechanically. It scored 96.9% in the What Car? 2023 reliability survey, making it the fifth most reliable small used car.
Very simple, proven engine
Cheap parts, low insurance costs
Door lock actuators unreliable
Water ingress into boot and footwells
Buy if: You want a reliable, frugal city car with minimal maintenance costs and can live with its modest performance.
Avoid if: You need air conditioning that works reliably in summer or regularly drive in wet climates without a garage (water leak issues).
Expected Annual Maintenance Costs
Common Problems
Door lock actuators fail, preventing central locking from operating on one or more doors · more· less
The central locking system is the most common electrical complaint on the Up. One or more door lock actuators can fail as early as 10,000-25,000 km, though more typically between 40,000 and 80,000 km. Symptoms include individual doors not locking or unlocking with the key fob, or a clicking sound from the actuator without the latch engaging. The issue is caused by worn internal gears or a faulty motor in the actuator unit. Replacement parts cost around €40-80 per actuator, and fitting takes approximately 1-2 hours per door. Total cost for one door at an independent garage runs €100-200. Some owners report needing to replace multiple actuators over the car's life, which can reach €300-400 in total. VW dealers charge more due to higher labour rates.
AC loses cooling capacity or fails completely, most common between 25,000 and 50,000 km · more· less
The air conditioning on the Up is a known weak point. Owners report reduced cooling performance or complete AC failure, particularly during summer months. Common causes include a leaking condenser, a failing compressor clutch hub bolt, or loss of refrigerant through ageing seals. The condenser is positioned low at the front of the car and is vulnerable to stone damage. A compressor replacement costs approximately €150-200 for a remanufactured unit plus 2-3 hours of labour. A new condenser runs €100-150 for the part. Including refrigerant recharge, total repair cost is €400-800 depending on which component has failed. Cars without AC (base Move Up trim) avoid this issue entirely.
Water leaks through rear wiper grommet, brake light seal, or tailgate glass into the boot · more· less
Water leaking into the boot is a well-documented problem on pre-2017 facelift models. The leak typically enters through the rear wiper arm grommet seal, the high-level brake light seal, or around the tailgate glass itself. Owners on the Up Owners Club forum report finding standing water in the boot area after heavy rain. A new wiper seal costs only €3-5, and silicone sealant around the brake light is a simple DIY fix. However, if the tailgate glass seal has failed, the repair can cost €150-300 for resealing or glass replacement. Some owners have found drainage holes on the underside of the tailgate that are painted over from the factory and can be opened to allow water to escape.
Blocked drain holes under the scuttle panel allow water into the front footwells · more· less
The plenum chamber (the area under the plastic scuttle panel at the base of the windscreen) has square drain holes at each end that can become blocked by leaves and debris. When blocked, water overflows into the car through the bulkhead seams and collects in the front footwells. Pre-2014 models had an additional issue with incorrectly installed firewall seals allowing water in. The owner's manual recommends cleaning the plenum chamber regularly. The fix is usually free — simply clear the drain holes with a vacuum or by hand. However, if water has already damaged the carpet, carpet drying and treatment can cost €100-200. In rare cases, a broken drainage pipe inside the plenum chamber requires replacement.
Heat shield mounting clips crack, causing an annoying metallic rattle from underneath the car · more· less
The underbody exhaust heat shield, approximately one metre long, is mounted with several nut clips. Over time, the heat shield can crack at the mounting points and the nut clips loosen, causing a metallic rattle that is most noticeable at idle and low speeds. This is an annoyance rather than a safety concern. The Up Owners Club recommends adding a large steel washer under each nut clip to spread the load and prevent further cracking. Alternatively, additional hose clamps can secure the shield. A garage fix typically costs €30-50 for the clamp or washer repair. A complete heat shield replacement costs €50-100 with fitting.
Rear brake shoes stick after overnight parking in damp conditions, causing a clunk on release · more· less
The rear drum brakes are prone to binding in damp or wet conditions, especially after overnight parking with the handbrake applied. Owners report a clunking sound when the handbrake is released, and sometimes the rear wheels do not turn freely until a brief reverse-and-forward manoeuvre breaks the shoes free. In the first few applications after sitting in damp weather, there can also be a loud squealing noise. VW service advisors attribute this to glazing on the brake shoe surfaces. The fix involves removing the drums, cleaning the shoes and drum surfaces, and applying copper grease to the contact points. This service costs €50-100 at an independent garage. In persistent cases, new brake shoes (€20-30 for a set) resolve the issue.
One of the most reliable small cars on the market
The Up 1.0 MPI is mechanically very simple, with no turbo, no direct injection, and no complex emissions equipment to fail. The engine itself is robust and can comfortably exceed 200,000 km with regular servicing. The main ownership annoyances are water leaks, door lock actuator failures, and rear brake squeaking — all relatively cheap to fix. The AC system is the most expensive potential failure. Cars with manual transmission are more reliable than those with the ASG automated manual.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Airbag control unit incorrectly configured (Jan-Mar 2013 production)
Verify completed
Child lock mechanism damaged during manufacturing (Nov 2015 - Apr 2016 production)
Verify completed
Towing eye defective welding — may break under load
Verify completed
Sunroof front trim not securely bonded (cars with optional sunroof)
Verify completed
Takata airbag inflator replacement (various production dates)
Critical - verify completed
Contact a Volkswagen dealer with the VIN to verify all recalls have been completed. The Takata airbag recall is the most important, affecting vehicles across all production years. The child lock recall is safety-critical for families.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (2 years)
Expired on all used Up models
Rust perforation warranty (12 years)
May still apply to 2014+ models
All VW Up models from 2011-2020 are outside their original 2-year factory warranty. The 12-year rust perforation warranty may still cover later models. Check with a VW dealer using the VIN.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.