2004 Volkswagen Lupo MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 59.1% of Volkswagen Lupos first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. Across 3,078 Lupo first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, noise, emissions and leaks and suspension.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Lupos first used in 2004 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
59.1%
of 902 first tests; all cars first used in 2004: 57.8%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
3,078
first tests, 2023–2025; 902 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
20.8%
of 902 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
79,500
middle half: 59,000–106,000 miles; all cars first used in 2004: 103,500

How the 2004 Volkswagen Lupo MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Lupos first used in 2004 against all cars first used in 2004 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Lupo figure was in line with the all-cars figure.

2004 LupoAll cars first used in 2004
50%60%70%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2004, test year 2021: 53.9%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2022: 55.2%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2023: 56%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2024: 56.4%All cars first used in 2004, test year 2025: 57.8%2004 Lupo, test year 2021: 63%2004 Lupo, test year 2022: 60.7%2004 Lupo, test year 2023: 61%2004 Lupo, test year 2024: 60.1%2004 Lupo, test year 2025: 59.1%59.1%57.8%
View this chart as a table
Test year2004 LupoAll cars first used 2004Lupo first tests
202163.0%53.9%1,381
202260.7%55.2%1,283
202361.0%56.0%1,152
202460.1%56.4%1,024
202559.1%57.8%902

Common 2004 Volkswagen Lupo MOT failures

Share of the 1,227 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment41.3%
Noise, emissions and leaks33.5%
Suspension31.5%
Body, chassis, structure27.5%
Brakes24.9%
Visibility20.1%
Tyres13.9%
Steering7.0%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction12.8%157
Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases12.2%150
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect10.6%130
Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits10.5%129
Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt10.4%128

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2004 Volkswagen Lupo before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Engine and emissions. Worth checking that the engine warning light goes out after starting, looking for oil leaks under the car, and noticing any smoke from the exhaust.
  3. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.

Common 2004 Volkswagen Lupo MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2004 Lupos, as a share of all 3,078 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge15.5%478
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material15.3%471
Coil spring: corroded11.7%361
Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases11.4%350
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing11.0%338

Questions about the 2004 Volkswagen Lupo MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2004 Volkswagen Lupo?

In 2025, 59.1% of Lupos first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2004 Lupo most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 41.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), noise, emissions and leaks (33.5%) and suspension (31.5%). The single most common item was “Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction” (12.8%).

How often does a 2004 Volkswagen Lupo fail its MOT?

In 2025, 40.9% of first tests on Lupos first used in 2004 did not pass first time: 33.7% failed, and a further 7.2% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 1,227 of 3,078 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2004 Volkswagen Lupo MOT advisories?

“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 15.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (15.3%), “Coil spring: corroded” (11.7%), “Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases” (11.4%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (11.0%).

Is a 2004 Volkswagen Lupo reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 63.0% in 2021 to 59.1% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2004

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2004 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2004 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2004 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2004 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2004 Volkswagen Polo MOT statistics

How the 2004 Volkswagen Lupo MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2004 Lupo” means a Volkswagen Lupo whose date of first use falls in 2004 (53, 04 and 54 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2004, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.