1High Likelihood
Electric power steering failure
Steering suddenly feels very heavy, often with a red steering warning light.
How to check
Drive at parking speed and then at normal town speed with a few gentle turns.
Estimated Repair Cost
£1,200
Should I buy a 2017–2020 Volkswagen Up 1.0 Petrol Manual?
Explore common problems, estimated repair costs and practical checks for the 2017–2020 Volkswagen Up 1.0 Petrol Manual. Use this guide to help assess a used car, then unlock a personalised report for the exact vehicle you're considering.
Common problems
2Moderate Likelihood
Front footwell water ingress from blocked drains
Musty smell, misted windows, damp front carpets, or unexplained moisture after heavy rain.
How to check
Use the heater and demister during the drive, then pay attention to cabin smell and how quickly the glass clears.
Estimated Repair Cost
£250
3Moderate Likelihood
Ignition misfire from coils or plugs
Lumpy idle, hesitation, flashing engine light, or the engine feeling like it is running on fewer cylinders.
How to check
Start the engine from cold, let it idle, then accelerate gently through the lower gears.
Estimated Repair Cost
£280
MOT Failure Rate
Volkswagen Up buying questions
Is a 2017–2020 Volkswagen Up worth buying?
It can be, but only if the individual car backs it up. For the 2017–2020 Volkswagen Up 1.0 Petrol Manual, treat model-level patterns as viewing priorities and let condition, history and inspection evidence decide.
What common problems affect the Volkswagen Up (2017–2020)?
The problem cards above list the model-level checks for this guide. Read them as priorities for inspection and paperwork review, not proof that every example will have those faults.
What should I check before buying a Volkswagen Up?
Look for evidence, not just assurances: MOT advisories, service history, repair invoices, warning lights, fluid leaks, tyre and brake condition, and how the car behaves on a proper test drive. And of course, look at your personalised Should I Buy This Car? report, outlining a full list of common issues in detail, a personalised road test, a plain-English explanation and a MotorIQ score.
A model guide is useful. A report on its registration is better.
The guide above gives you the model-level pattern. A personalised MotorIQ report checks the registration-specific record and turns it into an ownership view before you commit.
Or enter the vehicle manually