MOT failure data · 2025

Volkswagen Lupo MOT problems

Across every Volkswagen Lupo that failed its 2025 MOT, the defect testers recorded most often was headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect, on 4.76% of failure items. The broadest problem area was lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment at 21.9%. These are recorded defects across the model, not a diagnosis of any one car.

Most common Volkswagen Lupo MOT failures

#	Recorded defect	Area	Share
1	Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect	Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment	4.76%
2	Catalyst emissions lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits	Noise, emissions and leaks	3.73%
3	Exhaust system has a major leak of exhaust gases	Body, chassis, structure	3.54%
4	Joints constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt	Body, chassis, structure	3.47%
5	Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively	Visibility	2.99%
6	Pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn	Suspension	2.94%
7	Malfunction indicator lamp inoperative or indicates a malfunction	Noise, emissions and leaks	2.7%
8	Service brake imbalance across an axle	Brakes	2.53%
9	Tread depth tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	Tyres	2.43%
10	Catalyst emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits	Noise, emissions and leaks	2.14%

Shares are of all recorded failure items for this model, so they sum to less than 100% — a single failed test often records several defects, and the long tail below the top 10 is not shown.

What this means if you are buying one

Use it as a viewing checklist. If you are looking at a Volkswagen Lupo, these are the areas worth inspecting and worth asking about — and worth reading the car's own MOT history for, since a defect that keeps reappearing as an advisory is a better signal than any model-wide average.

The MOT record also has hard limits: it does not check the engine, clutch or gearbox, and it says nothing about outstanding finance, insurance write-off history, stolen markers or whether the mileage is genuine. Our used Volkswagen Lupo buying guide covers what to check beyond the MOT.

Checking a specific Volkswagen Lupo?

Enter its registration for finance, write-off, stolen, mileage and keeper history.

Other Volkswagen models

Volkswagen Lupo MOT FAQs

What does a Volkswagen Lupo most commonly fail its MOT on?

The single most recorded defect on Volkswagen Lupo cars failing their 2025 MOT was "headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect", appearing on 4.76% of failure items.

Does this mean my Volkswagen Lupo will fail?

No. This is what testers recorded across every Volkswagen Lupo that failed in 2025. It shows where this model tends to need attention, not the condition of any individual car. The Volkswagen Lupo passed 67.06% of its initial tests.

How do I see a specific Volkswagen Lupo's MOT history?

Enter its registration on our free MOT history check to see that car's own test results, advisories and recorded mileages.

Defect counts from the DVSA MOT Anonymised test-item data for 2025 (class 4 initial tests, failure items only — advisories and minor defects excluded), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.