2002 · 22 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2002 Volkswagen Lupo MOT pass rate and common faults

1,409 MOT tests in 2024. 57.1% passed first time, compared with 58.1% for all cars the same age.

98About average
Passed first time57.1%
Failed or needed repairs42.9%
Typical mileage at test85,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,409 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.0%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.0%
  3. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases4.0%
  4. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits4.0%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.2%
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction3.1%
  7. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.7%
  8. Service brake imbalance: across an axle2.6%
  9. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.4%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
    44 marked dangerous

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics31.2%
  2. Suspension18.7%
  3. Brakes18.7%
  4. Emissions & leaks17.5%
  5. Body & chassis13.4%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.2%
  7. Tyres7.3%
  8. Steering4.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine17.2%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.3%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened14.1%
  4. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases13.4%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn12.6%

Is it getting worse with age?

The same 2002 Volkswagen Lupo cars, tested one year apart.

2023 pass rate (age 21)59.6%1,620 tests
2024 pass rate (age 22)57.1%1,409 tests
Change in one year−2.4 pointsaverage car: +0.5 points

All cars pass less often as they get older. The 2002 Volkswagen Lupo is ageing worse than an average car, so problems may be starting to build up at this age.

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2001 LupoAll Lupo years2003 Lupo →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2002 Volkswagen Lupo?

In 2024, 57.1% of 2002 Volkswagen Lupo cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,409 tests. The average for all 22-year-old cars was 58.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2002 Volkswagen Lupo?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2002 Volkswagen Lupo reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 98, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).

Is the 2002 Volkswagen Lupo getting worse with age?

In 2023, 59.6% passed first time. In 2024, 57.1% passed (−2.4 points). An average car that age changed by +0.5 points, so the 2002 Volkswagen Lupo is ageing worse than average.