Used car guide

2002 Volkswagen Lupo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2002 Volkswagen Lupos, from 1,210 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,210MOT tests in 2025

59%pass first time (all 2002 cars: 60%)

3,700typical miles a year

1.9×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2002 Volkswagen Lupos than on all cars registered in 2002.

Exhaust system1.9× usual

Volkswagen Lupo
18.2% All 2002 cars
9.8%

Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 2.5% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.
Drive shaft (CV) joints1.8× usual

Volkswagen Lupo
12.6% All 2002 cars
6.9%

Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 3% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.
Anti-roll bar link bushes3.3× usual

Volkswagen Lupo
7.6% All 2002 cars
2.3%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.5% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.
Flexible brake hoses1.9× usual

Volkswagen Lupo
11.3% All 2002 cars
6.1%

Failed outright at MOT: 1.8%, against 1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.2× usual

Volkswagen Lupo
6.6% All 2002 cars
3%

Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 2.9% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Rust around suspension or steering mountings: 2.3% here, against 7% of all 2002 cars.

By area

The share of 2002 Volkswagen Lupo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Suspension

47% of testsRough price £120–£400

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Brakes

37% of testsRough price £150–£350

At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
Lights and electrics

34% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Tyres

30% of testsRough price £70–£150

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Oil and fluid leaks

22% of testsRough price £80–£600

At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.
Exhaust and emissions

22% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2004	905	Suspension 47%
2003	876	Suspension 42%
2001	865	Suspension 48%
2000	629	Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2002 Volkswagen Lupos registered in 2002. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score