Volkswagen E UP MOT failures and reliability

The Volkswagen E UP is one of the stronger cars at the MOT: 92% of its 2,498 tests in 2025 were passed first time, 19 points better than the 72% for all cars. Half the Volkswagen E UP cars tested were registered in 2021 or later, and younger cars pass more often. That ranks it 1st of the 36 Volkswagen models we cover. Every figure here comes from the DVSA's record of each Volkswagen E UP MOT, so it shows what testers found rather than what owners report.

MOT tests in 2025: 2,498
First-time pass rate: 92%
All cars: 72%

Volkswagen E UP MOT strengths and weak spots

The Volkswagen E UP fails less often than the average car in every area of the test we measure.

It does best on suspension, where 0.3% of Volkswagen E UP tests failed against 9.1% for all cars.

Volkswagen E UP cars first registered in 2022 passed 92% first time; those from 2021 passed 92%.

At 5 years old the average Volkswagen E UP had covered 21,749 miles, about 4,300 a year.

The single most common failure on the Volkswagen E UP was tyres, condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords, on 2.1% of tests.

What the Volkswagen E UP fails on

Share of Volkswagen E UP tests with at least one failure in each area, beside the figure for all cars.

Tyres4.0% (all cars 6.3%)
Lights and electrics2.6% (all cars 10.7%)
Visibility1.3% (all cars 4.4%)
Brakes1.0% (all cars 6.3%)
Seat belts and airbags0.3% (all cars 0.9%)
Suspension0.3% (all cars 9.1%)
Number plates and VIN0.1% (all cars 0.3%)
Body and structure0.0% (all cars 3.3%)

Most common failure items

Share of tests on which each item was recorded.

Tyres, condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 2.1%
Headlamp aim: too low 0.9%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 0.6%
Headlamp aim: too high 0.6%
Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively 0.6%
Tyres, condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure 0.6%
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid 0.5%
Tyres, condition: has ply or cords exposed 0.5%

Most common advisories

Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 13.7%
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 13.2%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened 1.7%
Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre 1.4%
Tyres, condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.2%
Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt 1.2%
Non-component advisories: Vehicles internal headlight adjuster altered to recheck lights 0.8%
Service brake performance: binding but not excessively 0.7%

Pass rate by year of registration

First-time pass rate of the Volkswagen E UP by the year it was first registered.

First registered	Tests	Pass rate
2021	1,298	92%
2022	932	92%

Typical mileage by age

Average Volkswagen E UP odometer reading at the MOT, by age in years at the test.

Age at test	Average mileage
3 years	15,918 miles
4 years	20,558 miles
5 years	21,749 miles

Check a particular Volkswagen E UP

The figures above tell you what to look out for on any Volkswagen E UP. For one Volkswagen E UP's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration for a free MOT check.

Other Volkswagen models

Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.