At a Glance
The Volkswagen Lupo has 12 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the Mk1 (1998-2005) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 373K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Volkswagen Lupo common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Volkswagen Lupo generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Volkswagen Lupo Generations
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Most Common Volkswagen Lupo MOT Failures
Every reason Volkswagen Lupo vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exhaust system fault | 8.26% |
| 2 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 7.94% |
| 3 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 7.61% |
| 4 | Tyre condition | 6.33% |
| 5 | Brake performance below minimum | 6.22% |
| 6 | Stop lamp not working | 6.04% |
| 7 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 5.83% |
| 8 | Windscreen washer not working | 4.41% |
| 9 | Number plate lamp not working | 3.67% |
| 10 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 3.41% |
| 11 | Front lamp not working | 3.22% |
| 12 | Headlamp aim defect | 3.15% |
| 13 | Driveshaft fault | 2.58% |
| 14 | Brake disc or drum worn | 2.24% |
| 15 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 2.19% |
| 16 | Brake pads or linings worn | 2.12% |
| 17 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 2.05% |
| 18 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 1.71% |
| 19 | Track rod end worn | 1.40% |
| 20 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.35% |
| 21 | Indicator fault | 1.31% |
| 22 | Headlamp fault | 1.24% |
| 23 | Position lamp not working | 0.98% |
| 24 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.84% |
| 25 | Front suspension fault | 0.81% |
| 26 | Parking brake condition | 0.69% |
| 27 | Horn not working | 0.68% |
| 28 | Airbag warning light on | 0.66% |
| 29 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.66% |
| 30 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.64% |
| 31 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.52% |
| 32 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 0.49% |
| 33 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.46% |
| 34 | Steering rack fault | 0.46% |
| 35 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.45% |
| 36 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.43% |
| 37 | Rear lamp not working | 0.41% |
| 38 | Rear suspension fault | 0.39% |
| 39 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.35% |
| 40 | Fog lamp not working | 0.34% |
| 41 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.33% |
| 42 | Seat belt condition | 0.32% |
| 43 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.32% |
| 44 | ABS fault | 0.29% |
| 45 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.25% |
| 46 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.25% |
| 47 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.24% |
| 48 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.22% |
| 49 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.21% |
| 50 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.17% |
| 51 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.14% |
| 52 | Brake lever fault | 0.12% |
| 53 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.12% |
| 54 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.11% |
| 55 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.10% |
| 56 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.10% |
| 57 | Load sensing valve fault | 0.10% |
| 58 | Engine oil leak | 0.09% |
| 59 | Brake pedal fault | 0.08% |
| 60 | Electrical switch fault | 0.08% |
| 61 | Driver door fault | 0.08% |
| 62 | Brake fluid leak | 0.07% |
| 63 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.07% |
| 64 | Chassis condition | 0.07% |
| 65 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.06% |
| 66 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.06% |
| 67 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.06% |
| 68 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.06% |
| 69 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.05% |
| 70 | Driver airbag fault | 0.05% |
| 71 | Steering operation fault | 0.05% |
| 72 | Front passenger door fault | 0.05% |
| 73 | Steering column fault | 0.05% |
| 74 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.05% |
| 75 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 76 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 77 | Driver seat fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.04% |
| 79 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 80 | Brake caliper fault | 0.04% |
| 81 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Steering free play excessive | 0.03% |
| 83 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.03% |
| 84 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.03% |
| 85 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 86 | Body security fault | 0.03% |
| 87 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 88 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.03% |
| 90 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | 0.03% |
| 91 | Steering arm worn | 0.03% |
| 92 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.03% |
| 93 | Propshaft fault | 0.03% |
| 94 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | 0.02% |
| 95 | Suspension unit fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Brake servo fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Passenger seat fault | 0.01% |
| 98 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 99 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Steering lock fault | 0.01% |
| 101 | Transmission oil leak | 0.01% |
| 102 | Power steering pump fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.01% |
| 104 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 105 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.01% |
| 106 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 107 | Drag link end worn | 0.01% |
| 108 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.01% |
| 109 | Brake valve fault | 0.01% |
| 110 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 111 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 112 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 114 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 116 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | <0.01% |
| 117 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 120 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 121 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 122 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 123 | Steering drive system fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 125 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 126 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 127 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 130 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 131 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Spring mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 133 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 134 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 135 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 136 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 137 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Vehicle floor corroded | <0.01% |
| 140 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 143 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 145 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 146 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 149 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 152 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 159 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 160 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 161 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 162 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 164 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 165 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 166 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 167 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 168 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 169 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 170 | Reversing lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 171 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 172 | Spring saddle corroded | <0.01% |
| 173 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 174 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
Showing all 174 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Volkswagen Lupo MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Volkswagen Lupo, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Volkswagen Lupo problems?
Based on analysis of 373K Volkswagen Lupo MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 12 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Catalytic converter efficiency low". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Volkswagen Lupo generation has the most problems?
The Volkswagen Lupo Mk1 (1998-2005) (1998–2005) has the highest number of identified common problems (15). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Volkswagen Lupo?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Volkswagen Lupo owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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