2002 Volkswagen Lupo diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2002 Volkswagen Lupo diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2002 Volkswagen Lupo diesel than on all cars registered in 2002.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.4× usual
  Volkswagen Lupo

  16.2% All 2002 cars

  6.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 3.1% of all 2002 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.

• Exhaust system1.9× usual
  Volkswagen Lupo

  18.6% All 2002 cars

  9.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.5%, against 2.8% of all 2002 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.

• Anti-roll bar link bushes3.7× usual
  Volkswagen Lupo

  8.4% All 2002 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.5% of all 2002 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-frame2.2× usual
  Volkswagen Lupo

  9.9% All 2002 cars

  4.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 0.2% of all 2002 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 2002 Volkswagen Lupo diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2002 Volkswagen Lupo diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  48% 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
  41% 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
  37% 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
  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.

• 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
  19% 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 2002 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 drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2002 Volkswagen Lupo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2002 Volkswagen Lupo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 3.7× as often on the 2002 Volkswagen Lupo diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?