Used car guide

2005 Volkswagen Lupo: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2005 Volkswagen Lupos, from 377 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 377 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

377MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 2005 cars: 58%)
3,800typical miles a year
2×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2005 Volkswagen Lupos than on all cars registered in 2005.

  • Exhaust system2× usual
    Volkswagen Lupo
    18.8% All 2005 cars
    9.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 2.4% of all 2005 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.

By area

The share of 2005 Volkswagen Lupo MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    43% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% 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
    29% 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.

  • Brakes
    27% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    20% 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
    14% 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
2004905Suspension 47%
2003876Suspension 42%
20021,210Suspension 47%
2001865Suspension 48%
2000629Suspension 48%
1999286Suspension 48%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2005 Volkswagen Lupos registered in 2005. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score