2015 Volkswagen Up MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 77.5% of Volkswagen Ups first used in 2015 passed their MOT first time, against 71.9% for all cars first used in 2015. Across 48,741 Up first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and tyres.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Ups first used in 2015 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2015 Volkswagen Up MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Ups first used in 2015 against all cars first used in 2015 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Up figure was 5.6 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2015 Up | All cars first used 2015 | Up first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 81.9% | 79.7% | 16,205 |
| 2022 | 81.3% | 77.8% | 16,300 |
| 2023 | 79.5% | 75.5% | 16,252 |
| 2024 | 77.5% | 73.5% | 16,216 |
| 2025 | 77.5% | 71.9% | 16,273 |
Common 2015 Volkswagen Up MOT failures
Share of the 10,639 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Position lamp: not working | 11.9% | 1,265 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 10.3% | 1,096 |
| Fuel cap/sealing device: ineffective | 7.8% | 829 |
| Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits | 7.7% | 820 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 7.3% | 779 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2015 Volkswagen Up before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Common 2015 Volkswagen Up MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2015 Ups, as a share of all 48,741 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 13.3% | 6,464 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 12.1% | 5,903 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 5.5% | 2,692 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 5.4% | 2,608 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 3.9% | 1,880 |
Questions about the 2015 Volkswagen Up MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2015 Volkswagen Up?
In 2025, 77.5% of Ups first used in 2015 passed their MOT first time, against 71.9% for all cars first used in 2015. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2015 Up most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 34.7% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (22.1%) and tyres (19.5%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (11.9%).
How often does a 2015 Volkswagen Up fail its MOT?
In 2025, 22.5% of first tests on Ups first used in 2015 did not pass first time: 16.8% failed, and a further 5.7% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 10,639 of 48,741 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2015 Volkswagen Up MOT advisories?
“Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (on 13.3% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (12.1%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (5.5%), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (5.4%) and “Brake pads: wearing thin” (3.9%).
Is a 2015 Volkswagen Up reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 81.9% in 2021 to 77.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2015
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2015 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2015 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2015 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2015 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2015 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2015 Up?
The numbers above cover every Up first used in 2015 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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