Volkswagen Up GTI — MOT pass rate & failures
5,160 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Up GTI (2019–2023) give a 90.1% pass rate. That is 2.0 percentage points better than the 11.9% fail rate across all Volkswagen Up versions, so the Up GTI is a stronger pick within the range. Failures concentrate in tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, headlamp and rear fog lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 130 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.4% in the 0-30k band and 21.2% in the 60-90k band, a 11.8-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 15.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2,129 | 89.4% | 10.6% |
| 2021 | 2,045 | 90.2% | 9.8% |
| 2022 | 968 | 91.2% | 8.8% |
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.6% | 392 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.8% | 143 |
| 3 | Brakes | 0.8% | 42 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.7% | 36 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 27 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.3% | 15 |
| 7 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 13 |
| 8 | Other defects | 0.2% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 130 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 28 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 25 |
| 4 | Washers | 21 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 19 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 17 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 15.8% | 815 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.3% | 222 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.0% | 205 |
| 4 | Road wheels | 1.9% | 96 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.2% | 63 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.2% | 62 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 4,266 | 9.4% |
| 30-60k | 819 | 11.7% |
| 60-90k | 66 | 21.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 747 | 9.6% |
| 2024 | 1,757 | 10.1% |
| 2025 | 2,649 | 9.9% |
What to check before buying a Volkswagen Up GTI
Focus on the areas it most often fails on — and remember MOT data covers testable defects only, not engine or gearbox health.
- Tyres (7.6% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Lighting & signalling (2.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (0.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How reliable is the Volkswagen Up GTI at MOT time?
90.1% of the 5,160 Volkswagen Up GTI MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.9% fail rate, better than the 11.9% average across all Up versions.
What is the most common MOT failure on a Volkswagen Up GTI?
Tyres, recorded in 7.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.8%).
Does the Up GTI get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.4% in the 0-30k band to 21.2% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,160 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.