2000 Volkswagen Lupo petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2000 Volkswagen Lupo petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2000 Volkswagen Lupo petrol than on all cars registered in 2000.

• Engine oil leaks1.7× usual
  Volkswagen Lupo

  25.6% All 2000 cars

  15.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.4% of all 2000 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.

• Exhaust system1.9× usual
  Volkswagen Lupo

  19% All 2000 cars

  9.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 2.7% of all 2000 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.

• Coil springs1.9× usual
  Volkswagen Lupo

  16.4% All 2000 cars

  8.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.6% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes3.4× usual
  Volkswagen Lupo

  10.2% All 2000 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.6% of all 2000 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.

• Sub-frame3× usual
  Volkswagen Lupo

  10.7% All 2000 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.2% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Common 2000 Volkswagen Lupo petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2000 Volkswagen Lupo petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  45% 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
  39% 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
  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
  31% 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
  30% 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
  25% 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 an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2000 Volkswagen Lupo petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the engine oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2000 Volkswagen Lupo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2000 Volkswagen Lupo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2000 Volkswagen Lupo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?