2012 Volkswagen up! · 45,945 MOT tests
2012 Volkswagen up! reliability
2012 Volkswagen up!s fail 23.3% of first MOT tests, 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 9 up! years (45,945 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen up!s: 18.8%)
- 23.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Volkswagen up!s: 18.8%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 20% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 60,597
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 45,945
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2013 cars: 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 1.1% of tests fail here (60% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: suspension, 66% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Volkswagen up!
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics8.2%
- Brakes7%
- Tyres4.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.3%
- Suspension3.3%
- Body, chassis and structure2.9%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Service brake excessively binding 2.05%
A brake that drags when released can overheat, wear quickly and waste fuel, so it needs prompt inspection.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.88%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.82%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Registration plate lamp not working 1.76%
A dark number plate lamp makes the plate hard to read at night, which is illegal and must be fixed.
Headlamp aim set too low 1.46%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 1.23%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.57%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (11.19%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (4.96%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (3.59%) · Service brake slightly binding (3.26%) · Slight play in steering rack joints (3.18%)
Other years
Every Volkswagen up! year
The full picture: Volkswagen up! reliability. Before you pay for any Volkswagen up!, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2012 Volkswagen up! reliable?
2012 Volkswagen up!s fail 23.3% of first MOT tests, 20% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 2 of 9 up! years (45,945 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Volkswagen up! MOT?
Most often service brake excessively binding (2.05% of tests), wiper blade not clearing windscreen (1.88% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.82% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Volkswagen up! have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Volkswagen up! shows 60,597 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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