Used car guide

2004 Volkswagen Lupo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2004 Volkswagen Lupos, from 905 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

905MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2004 cars: 58%)
3,800typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2004 Volkswagen Lupos than on all cars registered in 2004.

  • Exhaust system1.8× usual
    Volkswagen Lupo
    17.7% All 2004 cars
    9.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.5% of all 2004 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.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.8× usual
    Volkswagen Lupo
    7.2% All 2004 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.1%, against 2.5% of all 2004 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.

  • Transmission oil leaks3× usual
    Volkswagen Lupo
    5.1% All 2004 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2004 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Anti-roll bar link bushes2.6× usual
    Volkswagen Lupo
    4.9% All 2004 cars
    1.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.5% of all 2004 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.

Better than most

Number plate lights: 3.9% here, against 8% of all 2004 cars. Rust around suspension or steering mountings: 3% here, against 6.6% of all 2004 cars.

By area

The share of 2004 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
    38% 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.

  • Tyres
    32% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    18% 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.

Looking at a Volkswagen Lupo?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2003876Suspension 42%
20021,210Suspension 47%
2001865Suspension 48%
2000629Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2004 Volkswagen Lupos registered in 2004. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score