Does the Volkswagen Lupo fail the MOT on steering more than it should?
The Volkswagen Lupo records 4.41 steering failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 6.71 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−2.30, 95% interval −2.52 to −2.07). It ranks 504 of 640 models on steering (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on steering · check a Volkswagen Lupo by registration
What exactly fails on steering?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Volkswagen Lupo is “A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play”, recorded 682 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 682 | 1.31 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 635 | 1.22 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 574 | 1.11 |
| Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning | 149 | 0.29 |
| A steering ball joint worn to the extent there is a serious risk of detachment | 34 | 0.07 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 51,916 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Volkswagen Lupo gets a steering advisory, how often does it fail next time?
11.0% of Volkswagen Lupo MOTs with a steering advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12.1 months and 3,734 miles later (1,056 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,056 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Volkswagen Lupo 1999 · Volkswagen Lupo 2000 · Volkswagen Lupo 2001 · Volkswagen Lupo 2002 · Volkswagen Lupo 2003 · Volkswagen Lupo 2004 · Volkswagen Lupo 2005 · Volkswagen Lupo in the Netherlands · Volkswagen Lupo by postcode area · Volkswagen Lupo body, chassis and structure failures · Volkswagen Lupo brakes failures · Volkswagen Lupo vehicle identification failures · Volkswagen Lupo lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Volkswagen Lupo noise, emissions and leaks failures · Volkswagen Lupo road wheels failures · Volkswagen Lupo seat belts and airbags failures · Volkswagen Lupo suspension failures · Volkswagen Lupo tyres failures · Volkswagen Lupo visibility failures