2005 · 19 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2005 Volkswagen Lupo MOT pass rate and common faults

409 MOT tests in 2024. 65.5% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

116Well above average
Passed first time65.5%
Failed or needed repairs34.5%
Typical mileage at test76,000

Most common reasons for failing

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

  1. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.4%
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.9%
  3. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.7%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.4%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.2%
  6. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.2%
  7. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.2%
  8. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.2%
  9. Position lamp: not working2.0%
  10. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.7%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics18.6%
  2. Suspension16.4%
  3. Brakes11.0%
  4. Emissions & leaks9.8%
  5. Body & chassis9.5%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.8%
  7. Tyres5.1%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.1%
  2. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases12.0%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn11.5%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.2%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened11.0%

Is it getting worse with age?

The same 2005 Volkswagen Lupo cars, tested one year apart.

2023 pass rate (age 18)65.7%463 tests
2024 pass rate (age 19)65.5%409 tests
Change in one year−0.1 pointsaverage car: +0.3 points

All cars pass less often as they get older. The 2005 Volkswagen Lupo is ageing about the same as an average car.

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: exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2004 LupoAll Lupo years

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2005 Volkswagen Lupo?

In 2024, 65.5% of 2005 Volkswagen Lupo cars passed their MOT first time, across 409 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Volkswagen Lupo?

The most common failure reasons were exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases; coil spring: fractured or broken; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2005 Volkswagen Lupo reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 116, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).

Is the 2005 Volkswagen Lupo getting worse with age?

In 2023, 65.7% passed first time. In 2024, 65.5% passed (−0.1 points). An average car that age changed by +0.3 points, so the 2005 Volkswagen Lupo is ageing about the same as average.