VW eco
CNG variant with 68 hp. Very low running costs on gas. Two underfloor tanks. Can also be driven on the petrol reserve.
Gas power with charm
68 hp CNG in the up! — with the low weight and the low CNG price the eco up! is surprisingly entertaining in city use. Not a sports car, but honest.
Engine Weaknesses 5
The CNG pressure tank of the Seat Mii Ecofuel develops rust at valve connections and gas lines. The absence of wax protection is the cause. MOT fails. Repair costs exceed the vehicle value.
Symptoms: Visible rust on gas tank, MOT failure, tank shut-off by workshop
CNG lines fitted with insufficient torque (recall 24DQ, 2018 build). Nut connections can loosen and lead to gas leaks.
Symptoms: Gas smell, CNG pressure drop, CNG system warning lamp
On the 1.0 CNG CPGA individual gas injectors can fail. A faulty injector causes power loss and rough running in gas mode.
Symptoms: Hesitation in CNG mode, power loss, rough engine, switching to petrol immediately improves running
The electronic gas pressure regulator of the 1.0 CNG CPGA develops leaks after 6–8 years due to ageing seals. Gas smell possible. Replacement is difficult as parts are often out of production.
Symptoms: Misfires in CNG mode, whistling at certain gas pressure, gas smell, emergency operation on petrol
CNG engines wear spark plugs faster than pure petrol engines. Change interval of 60,000 km must be observed, otherwise cold start problems and increased emissions.
Symptoms: Poor cold start behaviour, rough idle, increased fuel consumption
Vehicle Weaknesses 16
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 €).
up! models built before October 2014 have a failure-prone radial shaft seal at the driveshaft flange. Gearbox oil leaks at the shaft seal. Early repair prevents gearbox damage. Cost: 150–400 €.
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 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.
Especially in cold weather, 1st gear and reverse are difficult or impossible to select. On higher-mileage vehicles, only a comprehensive gearbox overhaul provides a lasting fix. Repair: 300–800 €.
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.