2005 Volkswagen Lupo petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2005 Volkswagen Lupo petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2005 Volkswagen Lupo petrol than on all cars registered in 2005.

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

  5.8% All 2005 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.4% of all 2005 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.

• Transmission oil leaks2.7× usual
  Volkswagen Lupo

  3.8% All 2005 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2005 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 emissions (catalyst)2× usual
  Volkswagen Lupo

  4.6% All 2005 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 2.2% of all 2005 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

Common 2005 Volkswagen Lupo petrol MOT failures and advisories

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

• Suspension
  39% 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
  29% 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.

• Tyres
  27% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  27% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Exhaust and emissions
  17% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  13% 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 2005 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 anti-roll bar link bushes? (Flagged at MOT 3.4× as often on the 2005 Volkswagen Lupo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the transmission oil leaks? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2005 Volkswagen Lupo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2005 Volkswagen Lupo petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?