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1

The car at a glance

Volkswagen up! Mk1 (AA)
Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Reference photo: facelift petrol up!. · Example of this model

Volkswagen up! Mk1 (2013–2019)

factory type code AA · engine code EABA

  • Electric 60 kW (82 PS), 18.7 kWh gross Electric
  • Automatic

You get a quiet four-seat city car with a single-speed electric drive, classed here as automatic. The small original battery suits short daily trips rather than long journeys. Check battery health and charging before you buy.

2

Reliability rating

74
/ 100
Check carefully

Editorial buyer score, not a measured failure percentage. The electric drive avoids , and work. Age and a small battery make independent battery testing especially important; evidence for old-car repair rates is limited.

Concern for this year/engine: 2013–2016: Original pre-facelift 18.7 kWh version requested here; the same battery size continued after the 2016 facelift until 2019.
Concern for this year/engine: 2016–2019: Facelift did not itself bring the larger battery. Confirm capacity by VIN, not appearance.

Typical lifespan: There is no firm evidence for a universal battery or motor lifespan. You should judge remaining life from measured battery health, a charging demonstration and a fault scan. Older original-battery cars may be beyond their original battery warranty; check the individual terms.

This is a general assessment of this model and engine, not a guarantee of this individual car's condition.

3

Common problems to look out for

Reduced battery capacity

Risk: High

The traction battery (the large drive battery) loses capacity with age and use. This is not evidence of an epidemic of failed packs. The original small battery leaves little spare range in cold weather.

Warning signs
  • Much less range than a comparable healthy car
  • Large charge-level jumps
  • Battery warning on the dashboard
Estimated repair
€1,500–€12,000
What to look out for
Get an independent state-of-health report and usable-energy test. Price any module or pack repair before buying; the range covers specialist repair through major replacement.

Charging stops or will not start

Risk: Medium

Owners report interrupted AC charging. Cable, supply, software and car-side faults can look similar; a failed onboard charger is not the only explanation. Cold batteries also charge slowly, which is not itself a fault.

Warning signs
  • Charge stops unexpectedly
  • Red charging light
  • Plug will not lock
Estimated repair
€100–€3,000
What to look out for
Demonstrate a sustained AC charge with a known-good cable. Test CCS direct-current charging if fitted; not every car has it.

Weak small 12-volt battery

Risk: Medium

The separate small battery powers the control systems. Low voltage can cause warnings or prevent a ready-to-drive state even when the drive battery is charged. Diagnosis is needed before replacing expensive high-voltage parts.

Warning signs
  • Car will not become ready
  • Several unrelated warnings
  • Intermittent charging problems
Estimated repair
€120–€300
What to look out for
Ask for a 12-volt battery load test, not just a voltage reading. Check its age and any low-voltage fault codes.

Worn or sticking brakes

Risk: Medium

Inspection evidence flags the brakes as a weak point. Worn parts or a sticking parking brake can reduce braking force. This is a condition check, not proof every car fails.

Warning signs
  • Scraping or pulling when braking
  • Parking brake will not release
  • Uneven disc surfaces
Estimated repair
€150–€650
What to look out for
You should get straight, quiet stops. Ask for recent results and a brake inspection.

Water inside the cabin

Risk: Medium

Owners report water entering through seals near the front footwells or into the tailgate. Early cars feature most in reports. Damp can damage trim and wiring; later cars still need checking.

Warning signs
  • Musty smell
  • Wet carpet
  • Water sloshing in the hatch
Estimated repair
€80–€650
What to look out for
Lift the boot floor and feel under the front mats. Open the hatch after rain.

Unfinished safety work

Risk: High

Some build batches had airbag, child-lock or towing-eye campaigns. Applicability depends on the vehicle identification number (), not just the year. Follow any stop-driving instruction before you test the car.

Warning signs
  • No record of campaign completion
  • Seller cannot confirm VIN check
Estimated repair
€0–€0
What to look out for
Get written status from a Volkswagen dealer. Applicable safety recall work should be free.
4

Questions to ask the seller

Tick them off as you talk. 0/6 asked.

5

Running and repair costs

Routine servicing / year
€100–€240
Low
Fuel economy
approx. 13–18 kWh/100km
Low
Unexpected repair risk
Common repairs
Average
Unexpected repairs (if they happen)
  • Reduced battery capacity€1,500–€12,000
  • Charging stops or will not start€100–€3,000
  • Weak small 12-volt battery€120–€300
  • Worn or sticking brakes€150–€650
  • Water inside the cabin€80–€650
  • Unfinished safety work€0–€0
6

Final verdict

The good
  • No engine oil, or
  • Quiet and easy to drive in traffic
  • Compact body with four usable seats
  • Low routine servicing needs
The concerns
  • Budget figures are broad EUR estimates, not garage quotes
  • Major high-voltage repairs can exceed the car’s value
  • Verify CCS equipment; it was not universal
  • Limited cold-weather range
Our verdict
Check carefully

Buy only after an independent battery test and a successful charging demonstration. The original small pack can still suit a short commute, but age and limited range demand a careful price.

Always check this car's actual condition and maintenance history — ideally with an independent inspection.