2021 Volkswagen Up MOT pass rate: 95.2% (1,797 tests)
Is the 2021 Up getting worse?
Pass rate of 2021-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 95.7% +5.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 94.6% +4.4 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
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 27 | 21.3% |
| 2 | Brakes | 22 | 17.3% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 21 | 16.5% |
| 4 | Body, chassis, structure | 13 | 10.2% |
| 5 | Suspension | 13 | 10.2% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 10 | 7.9% |
All Up years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 41,028 | 81.0% | +9.8 pts | 65,090 |
| 2013 | 59,101 | 82.7% | +9.4 pts | 58,022 |
| 2014 | 62,076 | 83.8% | +8.0 pts | 51,505 |
| 2015 | 47,975 | 84.0% | +5.3 pts | 44,878 |
| 2016 | 37,919 | 83.8% | +2.5 pts | 38,880 |
| 2017 | 39,064 | 86.9% | +2.9 pts | 34,346 |
| 2018 | 38,010 | 89.2% | +2.8 pts | 27,980 |
| 2019 | 24,427 | 92.5% | +4.1 pts | 22,169 |
| 2020 | 5,620 | 95.2% | +5.3 pts | 16,426 |
| 2021 (this page) | 1,797 | 95.2% | +4.7 pts | 15,880 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Volkswagen Up years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2021 Volkswagen Up reliable?
2021-registered examples passed 95.2% of their MOT tests (1,797 tests, 2023–2025), +4.7 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 5 years old with a median 15,880 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2021 Up?
The median tested example shows 15,880 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.