Volkswagen Up (2015)
2015 Volkswagen Up
CarHunch analysed 16,575 real MOT records for the 2015 Volkswagen Up. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2015 Volkswagen Up is more reliable than average, with an 86% first-time pass rate that beats the UK average of 80%, though nearly one in four owners will encounter a dangerous defect at some point—a concern worth acknowledging. The car's modest mileage of around 34,000 miles at test suggests these are relatively low-use examples, which partly explains the solid pass performance.
Owners should expect roughly 1.5 failures and 7.4 advisories per MOT, pointing to minor wear items rather than structural problems. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection that specifically checks suspension components and braking systems, as these tend to be where advisories cluster on this model.
What to check before buying a 2015 Volkswagen Up
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- ⚠️ 22.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Volkswagen Up
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 16,542 | 86% | 1.46 |
| Electric (0%) | 31 | 89.9% | 1.1 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2015 Volkswagen Up vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2015 Volkswagen Up vehicles fall between 23,112 and 46,610 miles.
2015 Volkswagen Up — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 15,825 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 99% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2015 Volkswagen Up
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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46.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
43.4%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
40.3%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
38.2%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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21.6%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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18.5%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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18%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
15.4%
Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2015. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Volkswagen Up?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.