Used Volkswagen Up GTI 2017-2023 reliability
Category: Hot hatch
It’s hard not to be entertained by the cheeky little Up GTI. Its chirpy little three-cylinder engine serves up just enough performance to be interesting, while its slick gearbox and precise, meaty steering allow you to make the most of its grippy chassis. There are sharper, more involving hot hatches out there, though.
What should I look for in a used Volkswagen Up GTI hatchback?
Being a small car, the Volkswagen Up will most likely have been used in city stop-start traffic for most of its life, so you should check that the clutch is easy to operate and there isn’t any slip, otherwise you might need to replace it.
Check for bumps and scrapes to the bumpers and bodywork, because this will all cost money to put right. Also, the Up provides its infotainment system through an app on your smartphone, which is held in a cradle on top of the dashboard. Because this is removable, check that the previous owner has left it in the car.
Look in the boot when you go to view an Up, because only the floor is covered in carpet. The sides are exposed paint and could easily be damaged by the contents of whatever has been stowed in there.
Also check the DAB digital radio; it is unlikely to be covered under warranty if the unit fails or the screen gets scratched, because Volkswagen views it as a wear and tear item.
What are the most common problems with a used Volkswagen Up GTI hatchback?
Recalls were issued for the following and all will need to be checked with your local VW dealer that the remedial work has been carried out:
The door child locks may disengage without driver knowledge. Though the door remains close it is possible for the door to then be opened from the inside.
The welding of the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit may not be to specification. As a result the weld on the eye may fail during use causing loss of propulsion and the towrope with the attached eye can potentially cause property damage and personal injury.
Due to an error in the manufacturing process the air bag and/or seat belt pretensioner may not trigger in the event of a collision.
The front panel of the panorama sunroof may not have been bonded correctly. This can lead to rattling noises during a journey. If the loosening front panel is not detected this poses a danger for the following traffic.
Some vehicles may be fitted with airbag control units with incorrect parameters programmed. On these vehicles the diagnostic function for the side crash sensors is deactivated resulting in potential faults not being recognised and the airbag warning not illuminating.
Is a used Volkswagen Up GTI hatchback reliable?
The regular Up didn't feature in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey. In the last What Car? Reliability Survey it appeared in, the regular Up scored disappointingly compared with others in the city car class; the Hyundai i10 and Toyota Aygo were both more reliable, with the Fiat 500 – on which the Abarth 595 is based – finishing bottom of the table.
Volkswagen as a brand finished 22nd out of 32 manufacturers.
With a disappointing three-star rating from Euro NCAP, safety isn’t the Up’s strongest suit. Although you get lane-keeping assistance to help you stay between the white lines, you can’t add automatic emergency braking (AEB), even as an option. The Swift Sport, meanwhile, has AEB and plenty more safety kit as standard.
