Volkswagen Up (2021)
2021 Volkswagen Up
CarHunch analysed 950 real MOT records for the 2021 Volkswagen Up. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2021 Volkswagen UP is significantly more reliable than the UK average, with a first-time pass rate of 94.7% compared to the national 80%—and only 3.2% have ever suffered a dangerous defect, which is well below typical concern thresholds. This is a genuinely trustworthy car for its age and class.
At just under 16,000 miles median, these cars are lightly used, which partly explains the strong pass rates, but the real story is in the low failure count of just 0.14 per vehicle—most issues caught are minor advisories rather than structural problems. If you're buying one, check the service history carefully since these cars are young enough that neglect would show up quickly in the MOT record.
What to check before buying a 2021 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.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (97%) | 924 | 94.6% | 0.14 |
| Other (2%) | 23 | 97.1% | 0.09 |
| Electric (0%) | 2 | 75% | 0.5 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2021 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 2021 Volkswagen Up vehicles fall between 9,443 and 24,602 miles.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2021 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
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5.2%
Front Brake disc worn, but not excessively
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2021. 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.