VW up! (2011-2023): known problems and buying guide

Check for water leaks and rust first, then test the ASG gearbox from cold; most other repairs are cheap.

Updated 27 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
1.0, 65 PS, 5-speed manual	€373	€10,970	888	Petrol	DSG	Manual (5)	2020–2022
1.0, 60 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€360	€7,500	456	Petrol	CHY	Manual (5)	2016–2020
e-up!, 82 PS, single-speed Research	€276	€17,480	176	Electric	EAB	Reduction gear	2016–2019
e-up!, 83 PS, single-speed Research	€277	€17,480	176	Electric	EBM	Reduction gear	2020–2023
1.0 BMT, 75 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€346	€8,899	118	Petrol	CHY	Manual (5)	2016–2019
GTI, 115 PS, 6-speed manual Research	€379	€13,990	109	Petrol	DKR	Manual (6)	2018–2022
1.0 TSI, 90 PS, 5-speed manual Research	€356	€9,300	82	Petrol	DKL	Manual (5)	2016–2019

Years: built 2011-2023, facelift 2016. Petrol 1.0 MPI, natural gas, 1.0 TSI and the electric e-up!.
Water leaks and rust are the main risks on cars up to 2016.
Reliability: 3/5, because body leaks, rust and the ASG gearbox are the costly weak points.
DIY: 3/5, because servicing is simple but body and gearbox repairs need a workshop.
Prefer: a facelift car with a dry cabin, a clean fuel filler neck and a manual gearbox.
Avoid: a car with damp mats, bubbling paint or an ASG that jerks.

1.0 MPI petrol (60, 65 or 75 PS): durable three-cylinder; taxi and delivery cars run to high mileage. Clutch noise is covered below.
1.0 MPI natural gas (68 PS, CPG): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
1.0 TSI (90 PS, DKL) and GTI (115 PS, DKR): see the 1.0 TSI guide.
e-up! (82 or 83 PS, EAB or EBM): battery health and winter range are covered below.
Manual 5- or 6-speed: no fault confirmed in the sources read.
ASG automated 5-speed: jerky shifts and actuator faults are covered below.
Single-speed reduction gear (e-up!): no fault confirmed in the sources read.

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
Water leaks into the cabin	Cars up to model year 2016, all engines	Not stated	No confirmed price
Rust at the fuel filler and underbody	Cars up to model year 2016	Not stated	No confirmed price
ASG jerky shifts and actuator faults	1.0 MPI with the ASG automated manual	Not stated	No confirmed price
e-up! battery and winter range	e-up! (EAB, EBM)	Not stated	No confirmed price
Rear drum brakes stick and squeal	All cars	Not stated	No confirmed price

Water leaks. Check sills, footwells, boot floor and under the mats. Bad result: damp carpets or mould.
Rust. Check the fuel filler neck, right rear wheel arch, sills and underbody. Bad result: bubbles or fresh underseal hiding a repair.
ASG gearbox. Test from cold: pull away, reverse, creep. Bad result: jerks or limp mode. Have the fault codes read with a scanner.
e-up! battery. Ask for a battery health report; a scanner is needed. Bad result: a big gap between indicated and real range.
Rear brakes. Release the handbrake and check that the rear wheels turn freely; listen for squeal. Bad result: a dragging wheel.
Recalls. Ask a dealer to check open campaigns by VIN.

Operational	€144
Workshop	€95
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€101
Total per month	€340
New-car depreciation (not included)	€42

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.