2017 Volkswagen Up MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 81.4% of Volkswagen Ups first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. Across 39,651 Up first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) and tyres.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Ups first used in 2017 (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 2017 Volkswagen Up MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Ups first used in 2017 against all cars first used in 2017 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Up figure was 3.2 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2017 Up | All cars first used 2017 | Up first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 87.1% | 85.9% | 13,217 |
| 2022 | 85.6% | 83.9% | 13,158 |
| 2023 | 84.4% | 81.7% | 13,239 |
| 2024 | 82.6% | 79.8% | 13,210 |
| 2025 | 81.4% | 78.2% | 13,202 |
Common 2017 Volkswagen Up MOT failures
Share of the 6,833 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 13.7% | 933 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 11.5% | 784 |
| Headlamp aim: too low | 8.4% | 574 |
| Rear fog lamp: not working | 8.3% | 566 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 6.4% | 438 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an Up in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension arm replacement | £150 | £120–£180 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2017 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.
- Wipers and windscreen. Worth checking that the wipers clear the screen cleanly, that the washers work, and that there are no chips or cracks in the driver’s view.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Common 2017 Volkswagen Up MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2017 Ups, as a share of all 39,651 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 17.4% | 6,889 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 8.4% | 3,341 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 7.0% | 2,774 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 5.6% | 2,215 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 3.7% | 1,484 |
Questions about the 2017 Volkswagen Up MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2017 Volkswagen Up?
In 2025, 81.4% of Ups first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2017 Up most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 31.5% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), visibility (wipers, washers and windscreen) (22.3%) and tyres (22.1%). The single most common item was “Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively” (13.7%).
How often does a 2017 Volkswagen Up fail its MOT?
In 2025, 18.6% of first tests on Ups first used in 2017 did not pass first time: 14.6% failed, and a further 4.1% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 6,833 of 39,651 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2017 Volkswagen Up MOT advisories?
“Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (on 17.4% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (8.4%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (7.0%), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (5.6%) and “Brake pads: wearing thin” (3.7%).
Is a 2017 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 87.1% in 2021 to 81.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2017
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2017 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2017 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2017 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2017 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics · 2017 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2017 Up?
The numbers above cover every Up first used in 2017 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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