Volkswagen Up!: common problems, APK failures and recalls
There are 65,638 Volkswagen Up! cars registered in the Netherlands, first registered between 2011 and 2025.
In a sample of 397 cars, 51.9% had at least one defect at an APK inspection since 2024, about as often as average (51.5% across all models).
The most common defect is tyre pressure incorrect (17.4% of inspected cars).
1.2% have an odometer reading the RDW marks as illogical, a sign of a rolled-back odometer.
Check a specific Volkswagen Up!
Free: APK expiry, insurance, open recall and odometer verdict. The full report adds every APK inspection with its defects.
Most common APK defects
| Defect | Cars |
|---|---|
| Tyre pressure incorrect | 17.4% |
| Tyre tread depth insufficient | 13.4% |
| Dipped beam incorrectly aimed | 11.1% |
| Wipers give insufficient visibility | 8.1% |
| Tyre damaged | 5.8% |
| Position light not working (properly) | 2.8% |
| Rear light not working (properly) | 2.3% |
| Disc/drum brake binding | 2% |
| Brake imbalance on one axle too large | 2% |
| Windscreen washer not working properly | 2% |
Share of 397 sampled cars (first registered 2012–2021) with this defect at an APK inspection since 2024. RDW Open Data: Geconstateerde Gebreken.
Common advisories
| Tyre(s) with tread depth of 1.6 to 2.5 mm | 11.1% |
| Mechanical brake parts show wear | 3.8% |
| Steering or kingpin ball joint wear up to 1.0 mm | 0.3% |
| Shock absorber leaking | 0.3% |
Advisories are noted at the APK but are not a failure.
Fleet figures
| Registered in the Netherlands | 65,638 |
| Open recall (not yet fixed) | 1.1% |
| Illogical odometer reading | 1.2% |
| Used as a taxi | 0% |
| First registered | 2011 to 2025 |
All Volkswagen Up! passenger cars in the RDW register, 2026-10-06.
Questions
How often does the Volkswagen Up! fail the APK?
In a sample of 397 cars first registered 2012–2021, 51.9% had at least one defect at an APK inspection since 2024, against 51.5% across all models.
What are common problems with the Volkswagen Up!?
The most common APK defects are: tyre pressure incorrect (17.4%), tyre tread depth insufficient (13.4%), dipped beam incorrectly aimed (11.1%).
Does the Volkswagen Up! have recalls?
No recalls are registered with the RDW for this model.
Other Volkswagen models
Golf · Polo · Tiguan · Passat · T-Roc · Touran · ID.3 · T-Cross · ID.4 · Fox · Caddy · Taigo · Transporter · California · Kombi
Source: RDW Open Data (Gekentekende voertuigen, Geconstateerde Gebreken, Terugroepacties), CC0. Model grouping by Factline from RDW trade names. AI agents: factline.dev/llms.txt.