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Volkswagen Lupo reliability by build year

Coverage 1998-20051 named generationHatchbackPETROL / DIESEL

We've only got 1,482 MOT tests for Volkswagen Lupos built around 2002 (23 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Volkswagen Lupo built around 2002: about average at the MOT

Volkswagen Lupos built around 2002 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Volkswagen Lupo by number plate

Key figure

30% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Lupos built around 2002 ended in a fail (retests included), against 33% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volkswagen Lupos built around 2002 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volkswagen Lupo's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Lupo's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Lupo Mk1 (6X)

Mk1 (6X) (1998-2005)

Not enough tests to rate
DIESELPETROL

30.1% fail rate, built around 2002 (23 years old)

Fails as often as the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 30.1%)

From 1,482 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Volkswagen Lupo.

See every build year for the Volkswagen Lupo

By age

Volkswagen Lupo fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volkswagen Lupo ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
15229.6%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
81428.7%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,17732.5%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,44329.5%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,48230.1%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
98530.4%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
80130.3%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 21 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 23-year-old Volkswagen Lupos

These issues come from 23-year-old Volkswagen Lupos, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    24.2%
    Advisory: 373Fail: 6 (2% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    22.3%
    Advisory: 457Fail: 87 (16% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    16.9%
    Advisory: 312Fail: 38 (11% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    16.2%
    Advisory: 457Fail: 16 (3% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Exhaust has a minor leak

    16.1%
    Advisory: 211Fail: 46 (18% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,482 MOT tests on 23-year-old Volkswagen Lupos, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 23-year-old Volkswagen Lupos notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension40%
  2. Lighting + Suspension27%
  3. Suspension + Tyres25%
  4. Fuel & oil + Suspension24%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 962 MOT tests on Volkswagen Lupo cars built around 2002 (23 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Volkswagen Lupo.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

2 recalls in all

Both Volkswagen Lupo recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 recalls

Top concerns

  • Bolts of the tandem fuel pump cover may break
  • Brake vacuum supply pipe concern

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Nissan Micra

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    33.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Lupo on these figures.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,709 MOT tests on cars built around 2002

  2. 2

    Ford Fiesta

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    32.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9%
    Dangerous
    6.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.7%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Lupo on these figures.

    4 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    5,240 MOT tests on cars built around 2002

  3. 3

    Ford Focus

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    33.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.8%
    Dangerous
    7.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Lupo on these figures.

    8 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    7,942 MOT tests on cars built around 2002

  4. 4

    Vauxhall Corsa

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    35%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    9%
    Dangerous
    7.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.4%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Lupo on these figures.

    9 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,564 MOT tests on cars built around 2002

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2002 (23 years old), the Volkswagen Lupo across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 1,482 23-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volkswagen Lupo ever sold: 6,854 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2002 (23 years old): 1,482 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.