Volkswagen Up (2019)
2019 Volkswagen Up
CarHunch analysed 8,267 real MOT records for the 2019 Volkswagen Up. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2019 VW Up is a genuinely reliable performer, with a 92.5% first-time pass rate that significantly outpaces the UK average of 80%—and fewer than 1 in 10 owners have ever encountered a dangerous defect. This is a petrol-only cohort, and the consistency across all 8,264 vehicles analysed suggests the Up's engineering is solid and predictable.
At just over 20,000 miles median for a five-year-old car, these Ups are running well within normal wear parameters, which explains the low failure rate of 0.38 per vehicle and the modest advisory count of 2.9. When you buy one, budget for minor maintenance (the advisories are typical wear items), but the mechanical core is sound enough that you should prioritise inspection history and service records over hunting for a lower-mileage example.
What to check before buying a 2019 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.
- 📄 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.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 8,264 | 92.5% | 0.38 |
| Other (0%) | 2 | 100% | 0 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2019 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 2019 Volkswagen Up vehicles fall between 12,923 and 29,541 miles.
2019 Volkswagen Up — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 8,043 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2022–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2019 Volkswagen Up
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
-
26.3%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
25.7%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
17.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
16.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
-
14.2%
Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
13.1%
Nearside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
-
8%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
-
5.2%
Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2019. 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.