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Volkswagen UP - 2021

43.6 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2021 is 80.0 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Volkswagen UP, model year 2021. Sample size: 3,181 cars, 6,387 tests and 2,787 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 3,181 cars

The 2021 Volkswagen Up has a lower overall defect rate of 44.5% compared to the average car of the same year, with 44 defects per 100 vehicles compared to 79. The model performs exceptionally well in several categories, particularly brakes and steering, with defect rates significantly lower than average. While tyre wear is not highlighted as a critical issue, the Up does show a notable increase in defects as mileage increases, particularly beyond 93,000 miles. Overall, this model stands out positively in terms of reliability compared to its peers.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 3,181 cars

More model years for Volkswagen UP

2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Other models from Volkswagen

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Categories

Brakes
▲ 70.3% better
11.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 40.0 / 100 tests
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
  • Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
Steering
▲ 71.4% better
0.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 0.7 / 100 tests
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
  • Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
Visibility
▲ 57.9% better
6.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 14.5 / 100 tests
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 39.3% better
6.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 11.2 / 100 tests
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • A lens defective: which has no effect on emitted light
  • An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
  • A stop lamp: emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 33.1% better
58.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 87.3 / 100 tests
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
Body/Structure
▲ 9.5% better
1.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 2.1 / 100 tests
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
  • A body or cab: insecure
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • A transmission shaft flexible coupling: excessively deteriorated
Equipment
▲ 40.0% better
0.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 1.5 / 100 tests
  • Audible warning:
  • Audible warning:
  • Seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type
  • Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
  • A seat belt: or flexible stalk damaged
Other
▲ 63.0% better
1.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 2.7 / 100 tests
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
  • Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 475 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 777
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 435
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 254
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 164
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 125
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
PRS
Occurrences: 121
Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 93
Wiper blade: defective
MINOR
Occurrences: 70
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 70
A wheel: badly distorted or wear between wheel and hub at spigot mounting
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 66

Serious faults (Top 10)

A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 254
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 56
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
FAIL
Occurrences: 25
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 17
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 15
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 8