Volkswagen E-Up MOT pass rate and common problems
94.0% of 2,241 Volkswagen E-Up MOT tests pass.
The E-Up passes its MOT 94.0% of the time — well above the average across all Volkswagen models, which sits at 79.0%.
The Volkswagen E-Up passes its MOT 94.0% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Volkswagen E-Up?
This is the average across every Volkswagen E-Up in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Volkswagen’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate stays relatively stable with age: 94.5% at 0–3 years versus 92.8% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 94.5% | 1,640 | 15,909 miles |
| 3–6 years | 92.8% | 599 | 16,536 miles |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (2) | 2 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volkswagen E-Up
The most common reason the Volkswagen E-Up fails its MOT is tyres — present in 48.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 48.3% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 28.7% | Too low |
| Visibility | 15.7% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Suspension | 4.5% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Brakes | 3.9% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.9% | Buckle not functioning as intended |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.2% | Inscription illegible |
| Steering | 0.6% | Has excessive play |
| Seat belt installation check | 0.6% | Anchorage insecure |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.6% | Fore and aft adjustment mechanism not functioning as intended. |
Buying a used Volkswagen E-Up: what to check
These checks follow the Volkswagen E-Up’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 95.0% down to 84.0%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 48.3% of failed Volkswagen E-Up MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 28.7% of failed Volkswagen E-Up MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 15.7% of failed Volkswagen E-Up MOTs. 2.0% of tests at 3–6 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.0% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
4. Suspension
Recorded in 4.5% of failed Volkswagen E-Up MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
5. Brakes
Recorded in 3.9% of failed Volkswagen E-Up MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Volkswagen service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Volkswagen models
- Volkswagen T-Roc R — 95.1% pass rate
- Volkswagen Camper — 67.4% pass rate
- Volkswagen Motor Caravan — 72.3% pass rate
- Volkswagen California Ocean — 93.4% pass rate
- Volkswagen Multivan — 85.9% pass rate
- Volkswagen Golf Clubsport — 94.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen E-Up?
- 94.0% of Volkswagen E-Up MOT tests pass, based on 2,241 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volkswagen E-Up?
- The most common reason the Volkswagen E-Up fails its MOT is tyres — present in 48.3% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
- What are the common problems with the Volkswagen E-Up?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volkswagen E-Up are tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers.
- What should I check when buying a used Volkswagen E-Up?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; suspension; brakes. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Volkswagen E-Up's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Volkswagen service history guide for how to check and keep one.