Used Volkswagen up! for sale near Barking

CarGurus expert rating: 4 out of 5
CarGurus user rating: 4.0 out of 5
Percentage of good/great deals available on CarGurus: 33.7%
Overall CarGurus rating:* 4.3 out of 5
Available Listings: Around 500
Average Price: Around £7,100

Volkswagen Up (2012-2023) Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Fun to drive around town	Watch out for neglected examples
Competent out of town	Mechanically identical Skoda Citigo and Seat Mii are cheaper to buy
GTI model is a great warm hatch	Basic infotainment system

Quick Summary

The Volkswagen Up (2012-2023) is one of the most desirable city cars ever made, combining a compact footprint with a spacious cabin and high-grade materials. Its confident styling, with an up-tick window line and wheel-at-each-corner stance, sets it apart from rivals. With crisp steering, agile handling and a comfortable ride, it set new standards for city cars upon arrival. The Up manages to feel grown-up on the motorway, more like a scaled-down VW Golf than a typical city car, whilst the sporty GTI variant offers genuine driving thrills in a compact package.

Practicality is impressive for its size, with a 251-litre boot and seating for four adults in reasonable comfort. The interior is simple yet robust, with most models featuring air conditioning, remote central locking and a split-folding rear seat. Running costs are exceptionally modest, with petrol models achieving around 60mpg in real-world driving, whilst the all-electric e-Up offers negligible running costs and exemption from London's Congestion Charge. Insurance and road tax are very affordable, and consumables like tyres and brake pads are used sparingly. Production ended in 2023 with no direct replacement, making used examples increasingly sought-after.

Best for: City drivers seeking a fun, practical and affordable hatchback, enthusiasts wanting an engaging warm hatch (GTI), and those prioritising low running costs and eco-friendly motoring (e-Up).

Not ideal for: Buyers needing substantial boot space, those preferring advanced infotainment systems, or drivers wanting the cheapest mechanically identical alternative (Skoda Citigo or Seat Mii).


Comparison vs Key Rivals



The Verdict

You should buy the Up if: You're seeking a fun, practical and affordable city car, want an engaging warm hatch (GTI), or prioritise low running costs and eco-friendly motoring (e-Up).

Consider alternatives if: You need substantial boot space, prefer advanced infotainment systems, or want the cheapest mechanically identical alternative (Skoda Citigo or Seat Mii).

Competitive Position: The Volkswagen Up (2012-2023) is a masterclass in affordable city car design, offering spacious accommodation, high-grade materials and genuine driving enjoyment in a compact package. Whilst mechanically identical rivals like the Skoda Citigo and Seat Mii offer cheaper purchase prices, the Up commands a premium for its superior badge appeal and distinctive styling. It outperforms most competitors in driving dynamics and feels genuinely grown-up on the motorway. With production ended and no direct replacement, used examples are increasingly desirable. The GTI variant provides an affordable warm hatch alternative, whilst the e-Up offers zero-emission city motoring with negligible running costs.

Read our full Volkswagen Up Review

*The Overall CarGurus rating: that informs these recommendations is based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 2026, CarGurus expert reviews, and CarGurus user reviews.