2021 Volkswagen Up GTI MOT pass rate: 89.1% (1,810 tests)
Is the 2021 Up GTI getting worse?
Pass rate of 2021-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 88.6% -2.0 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 89.5% -0.7 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2021 Up GTI
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 197 | 74.6% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 32 | 12.1% |
| 3 | Brakes | 11 | 4.2% |
| 4 | Visibility | 6 | 2.3% |
| 5 | Identification of the vehicle | 5 | 1.9% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 5 | 1.9% |
All Up GTI years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1,894 | 88.1% | -1.8 pts | 19,744 |
| 2021 (this page) | 1,810 | 89.1% | -1.4 pts | 18,358 |
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FAQs
Is a 2021 Volkswagen Up GTI reliable?
2021-registered examples passed 89.1% of their MOT tests (1,810 tests, 2023–2025), -1.4 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 5 years old with a median 18,358 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2021 Up GTI?
The median tested example shows 18,358 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.