2012 · 12 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2012 Volkswagen Up MOT pass rate and common faults

13,712 MOT tests in 2024. 73.8% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

115Well above average
Passed first time73.8%
Failed or needed repairs26.2%
Typical mileage at test66,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 13,712 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.6%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
    372 marked dangerous
  3. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.5%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.4%
  5. Headlamp aim: too low1.4%
  6. Service brake imbalance: across an axle1.3%
  7. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases1.2%
  8. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.1%
  9. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.1%
  10. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.1%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Brakes13.1%
  2. Lights & electrics11.3%
  3. Tyres5.2%
  4. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.9%
  5. Suspension4.9%
  6. Body & chassis3.7%
  7. Emissions & leaks3.2%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm14.6%
  2. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure13.1%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened6.5%
  4. Service brake performance: excessively binding5.7%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: service brake performance: excessively binding. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Volkswagen Up?

In 2024, 73.8% of 2012 Volkswagen Up cars passed their MOT first time, across 13,712 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Volkswagen Up?

The most common failure reasons were service brake performance: excessively binding; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2012 Volkswagen Up reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 115, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).