2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Volkswagen Lupo MOT pass rate and common faults

1,000 MOT tests in 2024. 60.7% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

106Above average
Passed first time60.7%
Failed or needed repairs39.3%
Typical mileage at test85,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,000 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.1%
  2. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.9%
  3. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.4%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.2%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.2%
  6. Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.6%
  7. Emissions not tested: unable to be completed2.4%
  8. Position lamp: not working2.3%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.3%
    35 marked dangerous
  10. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics24.5%
  2. Emissions & leaks19.7%
  3. Suspension18.8%
  4. Brakes16.4%
  5. Body & chassis9.3%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.0%
  7. Tyres5.9%
  8. Steering5.3%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.6%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded13.0%
  3. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened12.8%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine11.7%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn11.6%

Is it getting worse with age?

The same 2003 Volkswagen Lupo cars, tested one year apart.

2023 pass rate (age 20)58.6%1,155 tests
2024 pass rate (age 21)60.7%1,000 tests
Change in one year+2.1 pointsaverage car: +0.6 points

All cars pass less often as they get older. The 2003 Volkswagen Lupo is ageing better than an average car, which is a good sign for keeping one longer.

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Volkswagen Lupo?

In 2024, 60.7% of 2003 Volkswagen Lupo cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,000 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Volkswagen Lupo?

The most common failure reasons were malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction; catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Volkswagen Lupo reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 106, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).

Is the 2003 Volkswagen Lupo getting worse with age?

In 2023, 58.6% passed first time. In 2024, 60.7% passed (+2.1 points). An average car that age changed by +0.6 points, so the 2003 Volkswagen Lupo is ageing better than average.