Volkswagen Lupo GTI - 6 speed manual

Now one of fewer than 430 Volkswagen Lupo GTI’s currently on the road, this GTI is a UK supplied, low owner and unmodified original car with low mileage at 68,XXX. More sought after later car with 6 speed manual gearbox. Clean MOT to November 2025, advisory free for past 12 years. Enthusiast owned since new which is reflected in the maintenance records and condition of the car. Not a Japanese import which typically come with no history, this car has one of the best service and maintenance records I have seen and has clearly been cherished by every owner from new, and garaged for more than half its life which is reflected in its condition. Logbook shows 4 previous owners but I am the 4th owner (pre-registered by supplying dealer)

Interior is in brilliant condition with no sag to the original headliner and no wear found on drivers seat (common issue with these VW sports seats). Single CD player specced with the car from factory has been replaced with a period correct VW original Gamma 6 CD dash mounted changer (not available as an option on the Lupo only on larger VW models) but the single CD changer is present.

Exterior is in good condition, car still has original paint and recently had a 5 year ceramic coating applied (May 2024) at well regarded JDS Detailing in South Wales. Few minor light marks around the car as you would expect of a 22 year old vehicle. Boot lid handle starting to show some very minor corrosion as is very common on VW’s of this era, but it is very light. No rust present on roof gutter rails or rear arches, which is another very common issue on the Lupo. Headlight lenses are crystal clear with no fogging. Alloy wheels are in good condition with minimal marking, centre caps are original and starting to fade.

Full service history by VW and VW/Audi/performance specialists (18 services, car registered Sept-2003), as follows:

Aug-2004​​ / 5,904​​ / Helston VW, Cornwall

Jan-2006​​ / 20,100​​/ Helston VW, Cornwall

Mar-2007​​ / 28,184​​ / R&D Autos, VW / Audi Specialist Bristol

Mar-2008​​ / 31,316​​ / R&D Autos, VW / Audi Specialist Bristol

Mar-2009​​ / 33,700​​ / R&D Autos, VW / Audi Specialist Bristol

Mar-2010​​ / 36,591​​ / R&D Autos, VW / Audi Specialist Bristol

Mar-2011​​ / 38,623​​ / R&D Autos, VW / Audi Specialist Bristol

Mar-2012​​ / 41,848​​ / R&D Autos, VW / Audi Specialist Bristol

Mar-2013​​ / 45,969​​ / R&D Autos, VW / Audi Specialist Bristol

Mar-2014​​ / 48,278​​ / R&D Autos, VW / Audi Specialist Bristol

Feb-2015​​ / 53,852​​ / Scole Engineering, Performance vehicle specialists, Norfolk

Feb-2016​​ / 60,393​​ / Scole Engineering, Performance vehicle specialists, Norfolk

Feb-2017​ / ​64,853​​ / Scole Engineering, Performance vehicle specialists, Norfolk

Nov-2019​​ / 64,953​​ / Scole Engineering, Performance vehicle specialists, Norfolk

Apr-2021​​ / 65,101​​ / Scole Engineering, Performance vehicle specialists, Norfolk

Nov-2022​​ / 65,249​​ / Scole Engineering, Performance vehicle specialists, Norfolk

Aug-2023​​ / 65,700​​ / Welsh Coast Customs, South Wales

Oct-2024​​ / 67,861​​ / Welsh Coast Customs, South Wales

Last service October 2024 800 miles ago, prior service in August 2023 included cambelt, water pump replacement and all fluids. Four new Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres fitted less than 600 miles ago. Lots of money spent in past 2 years / 2,000 miles including new suspension arms, ball joints replaced (unobtainable in UK), rear coil springs, new brake calipers, discs and pads, new drivers door lock mechanism and window switch (common failures on Lupo GTI’s), new Xenon headlight ballast and all new lightbulbs on front of car. Door check straps are good.

Records show works in prior ownerships completed over and above regular service maintenance include:

• Tailgate spoiler brake light and connector replaced (common issue due to condensation) at 40k miles

• Water pump and temp gauge replacement at 60k miles

• Ignition leads (common issue on Lupo GTI) and handbrake cable at 64k miles

• Front sills and wing edges sandblasted, rust treated, repainted at 64k miles

• New radiator at 65k miles

Car comes with 2 keys, full owners manual pack including 3 VW service booklets, a lever arch file including all invoices / records, plus VW sales brochure and price list for 2003 model year.

Volkswagen didn’t simply put a larger engine in a small car and put a GTI badge on it – whilst not a homologation car in itself, the Lupo GTI was designed during a period when VW Group were undertaking some quite special projects like the Bugatti Veyron, Audi A2 and VW Phaeton, and this engineering led approach filtered down to the little Lupo GTI which came with weight saving aluminium panels (bonnet, front wings, doors), thinner windscreen glass, and clever design touches like the smaller passenger side wing mirror. It even came with Xenon headlights as standard, something that was not the case on larger VW models and not even many premium brands like BMW or Mercedes were offering at the time. The Lupo GTI weighs just 900kg so the 125bhp from the 1.6 engine is more than powerful enough to provide a true GTI driving experience that many regard as spiritual successor to the mk1 Golf GTI. With just 6,000 Lupo GTI’s built worldwide between 2001 and 2005 (circa 1,000 of those sold in UK), these little cars have garnered a cult following and values are increasing fast. It gets a lot of love wherever you take it and you’ll likely be the only one at car meets and shows.

All common Lupo GTI issues have been either resolved or pre-emptively avoided with preventative maintenance, and with only a little effort on cosmetics should the new custodian desire, the car really would be collector grade and set apart from the very few others available for sale. I bought the car as part of my small collection and after enjoying it for nearly 2 years its now time to experience something else, hence the car being offered for sale. Confident first person to view will buy.