Used Volkswagen Up 2012-2023 reliability review

What should I look for in a used Volkswagen up!?

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.

Is a used Volkswagen up! reliable?

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 30 manufacturers, albeit with a reasonable score of 90.2%. VW finished above Audi, Renault and Vauxhall but below BMW, Dacia and Hyundai.

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