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.· more· less
Very simple, proven engineCheap parts, low insurance costs
Door lock actuators unreliableWater 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).
Price & maintenance
Used price
€7,000
median asking price, typically 90,000 km
Typical range€5,000 – €8,900
Maintenance cost
€500 – €1,000/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€350 – €600 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€150 – €400 /yr
Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Ownership costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
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.
Air conditioning condenser or compressor failure
€400 - 8002 of 6
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 ordered without air conditioning avoid this issue entirely; which trims those are depends on market and year, and in the 2016 UK range it is the entry-level Take up!, while Move up! already had manual air conditioning as standard.
Water ingress into boot via tailgate seals
€50 - 3003 of 6
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.
Exhaust heat shield rattle
€30 - 1005 of 6
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 drum brake sticking and squeaking
€50 - 1506 of 6
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.
Service history
Complete VW dealer or specialist records. Service interval is every 12 months or 15,000 km. Verify oil changes have been done on time.
Tire condition
Check tread depth, age (date codes on sidewall), and uneven wear patterns.
Cold start test
Must start the engine completely cold. Listen for any unusual sounds in the first 30 seconds.
Test drive
Minimum 20 minutes including varied speeds. Pay attention to gear selection smoothness.
Specific for this vehicle
Test all door locks with key fob
Lock and unlock the car three times with the key fob. Listen for all doors clicking simultaneously. If one door is delayed or silent, the actuator is failing.
Check for water in boot and footwells
Lift the boot floor carpet and feel for dampness. Check under the front floor mats for moisture. Any dampness indicates active water leaks.
Test air conditioning thoroughly
Run the AC on maximum cold for at least 5 minutes. The output should be noticeably cold. Warm air or cycling between cold and warm indicates a refrigerant leak or compressor issue.
+ 3 more checksShow less
Check rear brakes for binding
Apply the handbrake, release it, and drive slowly in reverse. Listen for scraping or clunking. Feel whether the car rolls freely.
Listen for exhaust heat shield rattle at idle
With the engine running and the car stationary, listen from underneath for a metallic buzzing or rattling sound. It may also be audible inside the cabin at idle.
Inspect the plenum chamber drains
Open the bonnet and look at both ends of the black plastic scuttle panel. The rectangular drain holes should be clear of leaves and debris.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Airbag control unit incorrectly configured (Jan-Mar 2013 production)Verify completed
Towing eye defective welding — may break under loadVerify completed
Sunroof front trim not securely bonded (cars with optional sunroof)Verify completed
Takata airbag inflator replacement (VIN-specific; Volkswagen fitted Takata equipment primarily up to 2018)Critical - verify completed
Airbags or belt pretensioners may fail to deploy (campaign 69P4 / UK R/2017/079; Poland lists Up type 12 petrol built 8 July 2016 - 6 February 2017, the UK window is 1 May - 31 October 2016)Critical - verify completed
Contact a Volkswagen dealer with the VIN to verify all recalls have been completed. Campaign 69P4, in which airbags or belt pretensioners could fail to deploy, is the most important; the published build windows differ by country, so check it by VIN. The Takata inflator campaign is also VIN-specific rather than applying to every production year: Volkswagen says Takata equipment was fitted mainly up to 2018. 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.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
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.
