Volkswagen Lupo

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 7 model years from 11,879 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

74%

Total Tests

11,879

Highest Pass Rate

2005 (79%)

Years Covered

About the Volkswagen Lupo

The Volkswagen Lupo was MOT tested 11,879 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 7 model years (1999 to 2005), with an average pass rate of 74%. That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data, so check the year-by-year data carefully before buying. Our records list diesel and petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2005 model has the highest pass rate at 79% from 792 tests. The 2000 model has the lowest at 72%. The 7 point gap means pass rates vary somewhat between years, but no year is dramatically different. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

The Volkswagen Lupo has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1999) averages 90,588 miles, while the newest (2005) averages 81,706 miles.

Compared to the Volkswagen brand average of 85%, the Lupo is 11 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Volkswagen models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1596cc)

£1,398

Road Tax

£275

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,228

Per month£186/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2005 details

How reliable is the Volkswagen Lupo?

vs average of all models-8% (82% avg)

vs Volkswagen brand average-11% (85% avg)

Best to worst year spread7 percentage points

Reliability trendStable over years

Volkswagen Lupo by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2005	79%	792	81,706 mi
2004	73%	2,025	87,633 mi
2003	75%	1,840	90,356 mi
2002	72%	2,664	92,006 mi
2001	73%	1,931	95,441 mi
2000	72%	1,441	89,938 mi
1999	73%	1,186	90,588 mi

Questions about the Volkswagen Lupo

Is the Volkswagen Lupo reliable?

Across its 7 model years in our data (1999 to 2005), the Volkswagen Lupo averages a 74% MOT pass rate, from 11,879 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 8 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2005 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 79%.

Which year Volkswagen Lupo has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2005 Volkswagen Lupo has the highest MOT pass rate at 79%, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 72%, a 7 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.