2016 Volkswagen up! problems
The 2016 Volkswagen up! was sold with 3 engines that we have documented: the 1.0 MPI, the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI and the VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric. None has documented serious faults for the cars of that year. The safest option is the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 8 documented faults affect 2016 cars, such as airbag initiators and pretensioners with an out-of-specification mix.
2016 Volkswagen up! score: good reliability
Calculated using only 15 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine8.6From 8.1 to 9.6 depending on the engine
- Gearbox8.91 fault
- Suspension8.8Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.5 times the defects normal for its age
- Brakes6.6Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.4 times the defects normal for its age
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering9.31 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Electrical system9.31 fault
- Headlights and lights8.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.8 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior8.64 faults and ITV (technical inspection)
- Airbags and safety8.91 fault
What changes compared with the 2015 Volkswagen up!
- Score: 8.0 → 8.3
- New engines or gearboxes: 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI
- No longer affected by: manual gearbox hard to engage (first and reverse) and clutch wear (rest of the car)
- Starts to be affected by: coolant leaks from the water pump and thermostat module (1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI), carbon build-up on the intake valves (1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI) and airbag initiators and pretensioners with an out-of-specification mix (rest of the car)
1.0 MPI engine in the 2016 Volkswagen up!
Names: 1.0 60 CV · 1.0 75 CV
- Buy
1.0 MPI 60/75 (CHYA/CHYB, 2011-2023)
60–75 hp · CHYA, CHYB
None of the reliability sources we consulted (up!, Mii, Citigo, Fabia III) documents a serious or systemic engine fault. The most frequently cited issues -- an occasional cooling system fault on the Citigo and Mii, and isolated oil consumption on the Citigo -- affect a small minority of the cases analysed.[2][3][4][5]
Faults that affect 2016 cars
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCoolingCooling system fault with engine light and vibrationsThe 1.0 MPI can suffer a cooling system fault, with the engine light on, vibrations and loss of power. It is documented in a minority of cases on the Škoda Citigo and Seat Mii, and the sources do not describe it as systemic or as linked to other cars with this engine.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationHigher-than-normal oil consumption (most cited on the Seat Ibiza V)The 1.0 MPI can use more oil than normal, especially on the Seat Ibiza V (2 of 5 reviews analysed for the 75 hp version). On the Volkswagen up!, Seat Mii and Škoda Fabia III, with the earlier tune of the same engine, the same pattern is not documented in a comparable proportion.
- Low severityFrequency: RareTimingTiming belt with no fixed replacement intervalThe 1.0 MPI uses a dry timing belt which, according to the manufacturer, has no fixed replacement interval: it only calls for a visual inspection from 210,000-240,000 km. The sources we consulted document no failure pattern for this belt on any car with this engine.
- Low severityFrequency: RareElectronicsOccasional sensor or throttle body faults (isolated cases)The Škoda Fabia III with the 1.0 MPI records an isolated case of throttle body failure (at 80,000 km) or lambda sensor failure. These are one-off cases, with no pattern, within a sample the sources describe as mechanically stable.
1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI engine in the 2016 Volkswagen up!
Names: 1.0 TSI 90 CV · up! GTI 1.0 TSI 115 CV
- Buy
1.0 TSI EA211 (CHZ, DKL, DKR; 2014 onwards)
82–115 hp · CHZA, CHZB, CHZC, CHZD, CHZE, CHZJ, CHZK, DKLA, DKLB, DKLC, DKLD, DKRA, DKRB, DKRC, DKRD, DKRE, DKRF
It has no documented systematic serious faults, and distances of 200,000 km without problems are cited. On 2018–2020 units, you only need to check that the injector recall was carried out.[7][8][9]
Faults that affect 2016 cars
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCoolingCoolant leaks from the water pump and thermostat moduleOn the EA211 the water pump and thermostat housing form a plastic module that, over the years, can crack or lose its seal and cause a slow loss of coolant. Keep an eye on the level: if it is ignored, it can end in overheating.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeCarbon build-up on the intake valvesLike any direct-injection engine, the 1.0 and 1.5 TSI can accumulate carbon on the intake valves and ports, especially with urban use. It is usually noticed between 80,000 and 120,000 km as a loss of power, rough running and higher consumption.Appears at around 80,000 km
VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric engine in the 2016 Volkswagen up!
Names: e-up! 18,7 kWh · e-up! 36,8 kWh
- With caution
e-up! 18.7 kWh, up to 82 hp (2013-2019)
82 hp
These cars are over seven years old and have a small battery; check the battery's state of health (SoH). We have found no faults specific to this series, only limited information.[10]
Faults that affect 2016 cars
The Volkswagen up! VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric: all its faults and what to checkFaults outside the engine in the 2016 Volkswagen up!
- High severityFrequency: RareAirbags and safetyAirbag initiators and pretensioners with an out-of-specification mixVolkswagen recalled up! and e-up! models built between 8 July 2016 and 6 February 2017 because the chemical mix of the airbag and seatbelt pretensioner initiators was out of specification, and they might not deploy in a crash.
- Low severityFrequency: CommonGearbox and clutchMetallic knocking from the clutch and gearbox when releasing the pedalMany owners of the up! and its sister models notice a metallic knock when releasing the clutch, especially at idle, which the official dealer usually describes as normal. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de attributes it to the clutch slave cylinder and says it can only be eliminated by replacing the whole assembly.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareBodywork and interiorChild lock on the rear doors that switches off by itselfVolkswagen recalled up!s built between 25-11-2015 and 14-4-2016 because the mechanical child lock on the rear doors could have been damaged at the factory and switch off without notice, especially with strong vibrations.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemElectric window regulator failure: plastic guides and misaligned glassSome owners describe windows that come out of their guides, jam or do not close fully because of deterioration of the plastic guides and the clips on the mechanism. There is no official campaign; it is a pattern in testimonies.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalSteeringPlay in the steering ball joints of older up!sThe TÜV-Report, cited by Gebrauchtwagenberater.de, notes that older up!s often have problems with the steering ball joints, as well as lighting and brake defects at all ages.
- Low severityFrequency: RareBodywork and interiorPoorly fitted door seals and water leaks in the doorsSome owners mention poorly fitted door seals that let in wind noise and water, and blocked drains that collect water in the door cavities. It is a pattern in testimonies, with no official campaign.
- Low severityFrequency: RareBodywork and interiorUnderbody rust with little protectionGebrauchtwagenberater.de notes that the up!'s underbody has little or no protection, so rust forms mainly on the floor, and water can get in through the tailgate.
- Low severityFrequency: RareBodywork and interiorTow eye in the toolkit poorly weldedVolkswagen recalled up!s built between 1-10-2015 and 29-10-2017 because the tow eye in the toolkit could be poorly welded and break when towing, with a risk of hitting people or objects.
Buying a 2016 Volkswagen up!?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Volkswagen up! reliable?
The 2016 Volkswagen up! was sold with 3 engines that we have documented: the 1.0 MPI, the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI and the VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric. None has documented serious faults for the cars of that year. The safest option is the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI (verdict “Buy”). Outside the engine, 8 documented faults affect 2016 cars, such as airbag initiators and pretensioners with an out-of-specification mix.
Is the 2016 Volkswagen up! better than the 2015?
Our score goes from 8.0 in 2015 to 8.3 in 2016. No longer affected by: manual gearbox hard to engage (first and reverse) and clutch wear (rest of the car). Starts to be affected by: coolant leaks from the water pump and thermostat module (1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI), carbon build-up on the intake valves (1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI) and airbag initiators and pretensioners with an out-of-specification mix (rest of the car). 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI arrive.
What is the best year for the Volkswagen up!?
According to our score, the best are 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2 other years with the same score (8.4/10). The year with the worst score is 2012 (7.6/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2016 Volkswagen up! have?
The most important ones documented for 2016 cars are: airbag initiators and pretensioners with an out-of-specification mix (airbags and safety, high severity), cooling system fault with engine light and vibrations (1.0 MPI, medium severity), coolant leaks from the water pump and thermostat module (1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI, medium severity), child lock on the rear doors that switches off by itself (bodywork and interior, medium severity) and higher-than-normal oil consumption (most cited on the Seat Ibiza V) (1.0 MPI, low severity).
Own a 2016 Volkswagen up!? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Volkswagen UpWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Volkswagen UpFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Seat MiiFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Skoda CitigoFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Skoda Fabia 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- VW EA211Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- Zuverlässigkeit der TSI-Motoren von 1.0 bis 2.0: welche Jahrgänge und Generationen Probleme machenAutohled · Motoring press · published 15 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- VW EA211: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 26 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- Rückruf bei VW, Seat und Skoda: Neue Einspritzanlage für TSI-Motorkfz-betrieb (Vogel Communications) · Motoring press · published 29 July 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
- Volkswagen e-up!: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
- VW e-up! (Wikipedia, alemán)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
- Volkswagen e-Up! (Wikipedia, inglés)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026