2001 Volkswagen Lupo diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2001 Volkswagen Lupo diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2001 Volkswagen Lupo diesel than on all cars registered in 2001.

• Sub-frame3.6× usual
  Volkswagen Lupo

  15.2% All 2001 cars

  4.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.2% of all 2001 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
  Volkswagen Lupo

  13.8% All 2001 cars

  6.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.8% of all 2001 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.

• Braking performance1.9× usual
  Volkswagen Lupo

  15% All 2001 cars

  7.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.7%, against 3.6% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

• Flexible brake hoses2.1× usual
  Volkswagen Lupo

  12.7% All 2001 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1% of all 2001 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.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes3.1× usual
  Volkswagen Lupo

  9.1% All 2001 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.6% of all 2001 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.

Common 2001 Volkswagen Lupo diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2001 Volkswagen Lupo diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  55% 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
  44% 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
  39% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  19% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2001 Volkswagen Lupo diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2001 Volkswagen Lupo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2001 Volkswagen Lupo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the braking performance? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2001 Volkswagen Lupo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?