Used Volkswagen Up 2012-2023 reliability

Being a small car, the Volkswagen Up will most likely have been used in city stop-start traffic for most of its life, so you should check that the clutch is easy to operate and there isn’t any slip, otherwise you might need to replace it.

Check for bumps and scrapes to the bumpers and bodywork, because this will all cost money to put right. Also, the Up provides its infotainment system through an app on your smartphone, which is held in a cradle on top of the dashboard. Because this is removable, check that the previous owner has left it in the car.

Look in the boot when you go to view an Up, because only the floor is covered in carpet. The sides are exposed paint and could easily be damaged by the contents of whatever has been stowed in there.

Also check the DAB digital radio; it is unlikely to be covered under warranty if the unit fails or the screen gets scratched, because Volkswagen views it as a wear and tear item.

Up owners have complained about the automatic gearbox and have a hard time adapting to how it works. It isn’t a traditional automatic, but an automated manual, and it is slow to respond when you want a burst of acceleration, and the gearchanges themselves are rather jerky.

Recalls were issued for the following and all will need to be checked with your local VW dealer that the remedial work has been carried out:

The door child locks may disengage without driver knowledge. Though the door remains close it is possible for the door to then be opened from the inside.

The welding of the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit may not be to specification. As a result the weld on the eye may fail during use causing loss of propulsion and the towrope with the attached eye can potentially cause property damage and personal injury.

Due to an error in the manufacturing process the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioner may not trigger in the event of a collision.

The front panel of the panorama sunroof may not have been bonded correctly. This can lead to rattling noises during a journey. If the loosening front panel is not detected this poses a danger for the following traffic.

Some vehicles may be fitted with airbag control units with incorrect parameters programmed. On these vehicles the diagnostic function for the side crash sensors is deactivated resulting in potential faults not being recognised and the airbag warning not illuminating.

Owners have reported few problems with their Volkswagen Ups, meaning that this should be a reliable used car. There were a couple of people who mentioned having brake and exhaust system issues and one who reported having a fault with the electric windows. These are likely to be isolated cases, but you should inspect all these areas when you view your prospective purchase, just to make sure.

The Up has always performed well in our reliability surveys, and although it didn't feature in our latest reliability survey our latest data from the previous survey shows no deviance. Its score of 96.9% in our 2023 survey means it's the fifth most reliable small used car, and ahead of its sibling, the Skoda Citigo.

Volkswagen, as a brand, didn't do as impressively, with our list of the most reliable used car brands revealing a 22nd place finish out of 32 manufacturers, albeit with a reasonable score of 90.2%. VW finished above Audi, Renault and Vauxhall but below BMW, Dacia and Hyundai.