2013 · 11 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2013 Volkswagen Up MOT pass rate and common faults

19,846 MOT tests in 2024. 76.5% passed first time, compared with 66.8% for all cars the same age.

114Well above average
Passed first time76.5%
Failed or needed repairs23.5%
Typical mileage at test58,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 19,846 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.9%
  2. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps2.2%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken1.7%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
    482 marked dangerous
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.3%
  6. Headlamp aim: too low1.2%
  7. Service brake imbalance: across an axle1.1%
  8. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases1.0%
  9. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.0%

Problem areas

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

  1. Brakes10.7%
  2. Lights & electrics10.2%
  3. Tyres4.3%
  4. Suspension4.2%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.1%
  6. Emissions & leaks3.4%
  7. Body & chassis3.2%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure14.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.8%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened6.1%
  4. Service brake performance: excessively binding5.1%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.0%

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 2013 Volkswagen Up?

In 2024, 76.5% of 2013 Volkswagen Up cars passed their MOT first time, across 19,846 tests. The average for all 11-year-old cars was 66.8%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2013 Volkswagen Up?

The most common failure reasons were service brake performance: excessively binding; registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 2013 Volkswagen Up reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 114, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).