MOT failure data · 2025

Volkswagen UP MOT problems

Across every Volkswagen UP that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn, on 6.11% of failure items. The broadest problem area was brakes at 23.71%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common Volkswagen UP MOT failures

#	Recorded defect	Area	Share
1	Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn	Suspension	6.11%
2	Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	5.84%
3	Service brake performance excessively binding	Brakes	5.25%
4	Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively	Visibility	3.8%
5	Coil spring fractured or broken	Suspension	3.56%
6	Catalyst emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits	Noise, emissions and leaks	3.46%
7	Condition has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	Tyres	3.16%
8	Condition has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure	Tyres	3.02%
9	Fuel cap/sealing device ineffective	Body, chassis, structure	2.74%
10	Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick	Brakes	2.58%

Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.

What this means if you are buying one

Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Volkswagen UP, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.

The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Volkswagen UP buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific Volkswagen UP?

Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.

Other Volkswagen models

Volkswagen UP MOT FAQs

What does a Volkswagen UP most commonly fail its MOT on?

The single most recorded defect on Volkswagen UP cars failing their 2025 MOT was "pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn", appearing on 6.11% of failure items.

Does this mean my Volkswagen UP will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every Volkswagen UP that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Volkswagen UP passed 84.36% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific Volkswagen UP's MOT history?

Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.

Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.