VW e-up!
Revised electric motor of the e-up! facelift (from 2020) with 61 kW and enlarged 32.3 kWh battery. Range up to 260 km WLTP, but still no active battery cooling. In long-term testing up to 75,000 km no serious drivetrain defects.
City Sprinter with Plug
83 hp and 212 Nm instantly — the updated e-up! with larger battery remains the most direct up! of all in city use. A recommendation for short trips.
Engine Weaknesses 5
On the revised e-up (2020+) the HV system shuts down unexpectedly, leaving the vehicle unable to move. The trigger is often the discharged 12V battery in combination with software errors.
Symptoms: Warning message 'electrical system fault — pull over!', complete loss of drive, no restart possible
Even on the facelift the DC/DC converter stops charging the 12V battery when the HV pack drops below approximately 15%. With extended parking the 12V battery discharges deeply, and the software update reduces but does not completely eliminate the problem.
Symptoms: Warning message 'electrical system', vehicle won't start, WeConnect app won't connect
Fault codes P30DF00 (balancing charge HV→12V), P0B3C00 (implausible battery signal) and blower controller faults appear repeatedly on older vehicles. Cause is usually 12V battery degradation; HV battery defects are rare.
Symptoms: Electrical system warning light, reduced range, occasional failure to start
The lack of active battery cooling makes frequent DC fast-charging impractical: charging power drops to below 20 kW after a few minutes. Purely a design limitation — no software fix possible. Accelerates cell ageing with regular DC use.
Symptoms: Very slow charging at DC stations, charging power drops off after a short time
Predominantly regenerative braking means the brake discs rarely work mechanically. Rust build-up leads to grabby pedal response and increased risk of MOT rejection. Regular hard braking recommended.
Symptoms: Grinding noises, uneven braking, MOT defects
Vehicle Weaknesses 15
Certain VW up! models are affected by the worldwide Takata airbag recall. Ammonium nitrate gas generators can rupture on deployment and propel fragments. Free replacement at VW dealerships.
Pre-facelift models up to 2016 without wheel arch liners collect dirt at the fuel filler, leading to paint damage and corrosion of the body panel. In extreme cases VW replaces the entire side panel (cost up to 4,000 €).
Models from 2013–2016 show elevated parasitic standby current draw due to control unit faults (instrument cluster, gateway module). Software updates are available. Most common breakdown cause. Battery replacement: 80–150 €.
The automated manual gearbox (ASG) operates the clutch electronically without any driver feel. In city traffic particularly the clutch wears quickly. Typical signs: juddering on take-off, delayed gear commands, gearbox warning light.
The underbody of the up! sometimes has insufficient factory corrosion protection. The exhaust rusts through quickly with short-trip use. Retroactive cavity and underbody sealing is recommended.
Front axle control arm bushings on the up! need replacing prematurely. They rank among the most commonly cited TÜV faults for this model. Repair cost: 100–300 €.
Early models up to 2016 show water entry through misaligned front doors, the rear wiper spindle, or the third brake light. Blocked windscreen drain channels worsen the problem.
TÜV inspections regularly flag the foot brake and handbrake on the up! One-sided braking and uneven wear are typical. Full brake repair: 100–300 €.
On the VW up! AA, the cabin blower motor or its resistor fails. Typically the ventilation only works on the highest setting or stops altogether. The resistor is located behind the glovebox and costs approx. 81 € from VW.
The standard seats in the VW up! AA offer little lateral support and no adjustable lumbar support. Owners report back pain even after short journeys. The fixed headrest pushes the head forward.
The exhaust system on the up! rusts through after just a few winters, especially with short-trip use. Heat shields come loose and rattle. The rear silencer and centre silencer are frequently affected and can become an inspection failure.
The VW up! has rear drum brakes which can seize through rust with short-trip use and extended standing. Brake shoes stick to the drum, causing uneven braking and reduced braking performance.
The coolant temperature sensor in the expansion tank tends to fail. Deposits or oxidation on the connector lead to incorrect readings. The red coolant warning light illuminates despite normal engine temperature.
At full steering lock, many up! models creak or click. The cause is CV joint boots and driveshafts. VW acknowledges the problem but advises against repair due to the absence of any negative consequences for the components.
Daytime running light bulbs fail on the up! at above-average rates and regularly appear as faults at TÜV inspections. Bulb replacement is cheap (approx. 10–30 €) but fiddly to fit.