Water pump / thermostat module leak
usually 60,000–140,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant level drops
Fix: Replace pump + thermostat module
€250–500
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Volkswagen Up!
2011–2023
3
engines covered
10
known faults
124,680
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
8
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Volkswagen Up! was built from 2011 to 2023.
For this generation we cover 3 engines and 10 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Clutch actuator / hydraulic unit: it usually appears at 80,000–160,000 km and costs €500–1,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (9.1 %), brakes (5.0 %), tyres and wheels (4.2 %). It fails less often than average on: suspension, tyres and wheels.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 / 1.6 MPI (EA211: CHYA / CWVA) | Petrol | Belt · 210,000 km / every 120 mo | 5W-30 / 0W-20 · VW 504.00 / 508.00 · ~3.6–4.0 L · every 15,000 km |
| 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.5 TSI (EA211) | Petrol | Belt · 210,000 km / every 120 mo | 5W-30 / 0W-20 · VW 504.00 / 508.00 · ~4.0 L · every 15,000 km |
| Electric (VW group MEB / e-up!) | Electric | None (EV) | — |
Faults by engine
1.0 / 1.6 MPI (EA211: CHYA / CWVA)
Oil consumption (1.6 MPI CWVA)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Wear part
engine codes: CWVA, CWVB
Signs: Topping up between services
Fix: Monitor; check PCV / rings
€100–1,500
1.0 / 1.2 / 1.4 / 1.5 TSI (EA211)
Thermostat / water pump housing leak
usually 60,000–140,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Coolant level dropping, sweet smell
Fix: Replace plastic housing assembly
€250–500
Turbo wastegate actuator rattle
usually 80,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Rattle on light throttle, underboost code
Fix: Adjust or replace actuator
€200–600
1.5 TSI cold-start hesitation
usually 10,000–80,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Jerks when cold (2017–2019 builds)
Fix: Dealer software update
€0–150
Electric (VW group MEB / e-up!)
12V battery drain / software faults (early cars)
usually 0–80,000 km · Medium risk
model years 2020–2022 only
Signs: Car won't wake up, infotainment reboots
Fix: Software updates at the dealer; 12V battery
€0–300
HV battery capacity loss
usually 150,000–300,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Range ~10% below new
Fix: Normal ageing; covered 8 yr / 160,000 km
free / recall
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
ASG (automated manual)
Clutch actuator / hydraulic unit
usually 80,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: Won't select a gear, 'gearbox fault', jerky shifts
Fix: Repair or replace the actuator; clutch re-learn
€500–1,500
Clutch wear (automated)
usually 80,000–150,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, harsh engagement
Fix: Replace clutch + re-learn
€500–1,000
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.0 / 1.6 MPI (EA211: CHYA / CWVA) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 210,000 km or every 120 months | €450–900 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 124,680 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1.0 % | 5.0 % | 9.9 % | 14.0 % | 14.9 % |
| Suspension | 1.3 % | 3.1 % | 4.5 % | 6.7 % | 6.3 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.1 % | 0.3 % | 0.5 % | 0.6 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 2.9 % | 4.2 % | 5.7 % | 6.2 % | 8.8 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 5.4 % | 9.1 % | 14.4 % | 20.5 % | 24.4 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.9 % | 2.0 % | 3.4 % | 4.3 % | 5.1 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.8 % | 1.7 % | 3.1 % | 4.8 % | 5.8 % |
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (8). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Airbag Takata front drivers or passenger airbag replacement22/08/2025 · R/2025/357
- Airbag Takata Front airbag13/06/2023 · R/2023/178
- Engine / loss of power Towing eye in the vehicle tool kit may detach during use21/12/2017 · R/2017/347
- Airbag Airbag/belt tensioners may not trigger in event of an accident22/03/2017 · R/2017/079
- Doors / locks / lids Panoramic sunroof may detach09/09/2016 · R/2016/221
- Doors / locks / lids Child lock may disengage23/06/2016 · R/2016/145
- Airbag Unintentional airbag deployment15/02/2015 · R/2014/176
- Airbag Side airbag diagnostic function disabled03/05/2013 · R/2013/057
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026