2017 Volkswagen UP Electricity · LS17 XEM

This 2017 Volkswagen Up presents a generally sound mechanical picture following its most recent MOT on 11 February 2026 at 66,559 miles, where it passed cleanly with zero defects. The maintenance trend over the past two years is clearly improving. A cluster of suspension and braking faults identified during the March 2024 test, including excessively worn front suspension arm bushes, a corroded front brake disc inner surface, and play in the offside steering rack inner joint, appears to have been addressed ahead of the 2025 and 2026 tests. The sole advisory recorded in 2025 was corrosion on the offside front coil spring, a common issue on vehicles of this age and mileage that does not constitute a failure but warrants monitoring. Overall, the record suggests the previous owner corrected the more serious 2024 defects rather than ignoring them. The vehicle has covered approximately 7,395 miles per year over its nine-year life, which is typical for a small city car. Mileage accumulation has been steady rather than erratic, with no alarming gaps or sudden spikes in the recorded data. The 3,401 miles added between the March 2025 test and the February 2026 test indicates regular use over that eleven-month period. There is no evidence of the car sitting unused for extended stretches, which can sometimes mask deterioration in rubber components and brake systems. A buyer should still carry out a focused physical inspection despite the clean 2026 result. The recurring corrosion theme, from the front brake disc inner surface flagged in 2024 to the corroded offside coil spring noted in 2025, suggests the car may have been exposed to road salt or damp storage conditions. Check the underside and suspension mounting points carefully for ongoing corrosion, particularly around the front subframe and spring seats. The front suspension arm bushes and steering rack inner joint were both flagged as worn or loose in 2024, so listen for clunking over speed bumps and feel for vague or wandering steering at road speed. Inspect the front brake discs and pads for uneven wear or lipping, and verify that the rear brakes are not binding, given the marginal rear service brake performance recorded in the same test. Tyre condition should also be checked, as advisories on both rear tyres appeared in 2023, and uneven edge wear can indicate worn tracking or suspension geometry issues that may have recurred.