Volkswagen Caravelle Reliability: MOT Pass Rate by Year & Engine

Verdict

The Volkswagen Caravelle passes its MOT first time on 64.6% of tests, about the same as a typical car of the same age and mileage (64.6%). That puts it ahead of 50% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2013 Caravelle does best (beats 79% of cars) and the 1984 worst (beats 1%).

Of its engines, the 2.0 Diesel does best (beats 60%) and the 2.5 Diesel worst (beats 57%).

Better than average on emissions & leaks.

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

Volkswagen CaravelleTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

Beats 1%

Beats 4%

Beats 3%

Beats 18%

Beats 30%

Beats 24%

Beats 14%

Beats 19%

Beats 16%

Beats 31%

Beats 42%

Beats 49%

Beats 55%

Beats 60%

Beats 62%

Beats 54%

Beats 60%

Beats 54%

Beats 48%

Beats 59%

Beats 60%

Beats 57%

Beats 71%

Beats 74%

Beats 78%

Beats 79%

Beats 67%

Beats 49%

Beats 43%

Beats 44%

Beats 26%

Beats 34%

Beats 42%

Beats 12%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

Engine	Years	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	1997–2011	58,661	55.8%	Beats 57%	C
2.0 Diesel	2010–2021	54,717	76.6%	Beats 60%	B
1.9 Petrol	1984–1989	13,575	59.9%	Beats 8%	E
2.4 Diesel	1994–1997	6,007	50.1%	Beats 19%	E
1.9 Diesel	2010–2011	2,223	67.4%	Beats 72%	B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical

Suspension: 12.9% of tests fail on suspension, against 12.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics

14.9% vs 16.6%

Suspension

12.9% vs 12.8%

Brakes

10.5% vs 10.7%

Body & structure

6.7% vs 6.8%

Tyres

6.0% vs 6.4%

Visibility

5.6% vs 6.1%

Emissions & leaks

3.9% vs 4.9%

Steering

3.9% vs 3.6%

Seat belts & airbags

2.1% vs 2.2%

Wheels

0.3% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Headlight aim
Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
Tyre damage & cracking
Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
Sidelights
Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
Windscreen washers
Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
Coil springs
Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
Handbrake performance
Check the handbrake holds the car firmly on a slope.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

Volkswagen CaravelleTypical car

Most common MOT failures

Item	This car	Typical	vs typical
Headlight aim	3.9%	4.7%	0.8×
Tyre damage & cracking	3.8%	3.4%	1.1×
Sidelights	3.1%	4.1%	0.7×
Windscreen washers	2.9%	2.9%	1.0×
Coil springs	2.7%	2.2%	1.2×
Number plate lights	2.3%	1.9%	1.2×
Handbrake performance	2.2%	2.7%	0.8×
Component mounting prescribed areas	2.2%	2.2%	1.0×
Windscreen wipers	2.2%	2.7%	0.8×
Brake lights	2.0%	3.0%	0.6×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defect	per 1,000
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn	41.4
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements	38.8
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen	29.3
A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc	28.7
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened	27.2
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning	25.0
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired	22.1
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen	20.8

Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2021 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine82.5% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	1,517	82.5%	Beats 12%	E

2020 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine84.4% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	2,574	84.4%	Beats 42%	C

2019 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine82.3% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	3,975	82.3%	Beats 34%	D

2018 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine80.1% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	3,628	80.1%	Beats 26%	D

2017 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine79.1% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	6,008	79.1%	Beats 44%	C

2016 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine77.2% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	7,758	77.2%	Beats 43%	C

2015 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine75.7% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	6,207	75.7%	Beats 49%	C

2014 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine76.6% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	5,424	76.6%	Beats 67%	B

2013 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine75.9% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	6,017	75.9%	Beats 79%	B

2012 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine72.8% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	5,887	72.8%	Beats 78%	B

2011 Volkswagen Caravelle3 engines69.8% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	3,252	69.5%	Beats 73%	B
2.5 Diesel	1,439	71.9%	Beats 81%	A
1.9 Diesel	1,060	67.9%	Beats 68%	B

2010 Volkswagen Caravelle3 engines66.4% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.0 Diesel	2,470	66.2%	Beats 71%	B
2.5 Diesel	1,622	66.3%	Beats 68%	B
1.9 Diesel	1,163	66.9%	Beats 75%	B

2009 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine60.4% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	3,156	60.4%	Beats 57%	C

2008 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine58.4% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	4,726	58.4%	Beats 60%	C

2007 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine57.2% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	4,927	57.2%	Beats 59%	C

2006 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine53.1% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	5,010	53.1%	Beats 48%	C

2005 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine53.8% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	5,525	53.8%	Beats 54%	C

2004 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine55.0% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	4,109	55.0%	Beats 60%	B

2003 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine52.6% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	5,199	52.6%	Beats 54%	C

2002 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine55.8% passB

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	5,997	55.8%	Beats 62%	B

2001 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine54.8% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	5,642	54.8%	Beats 60%	C

2000 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine54.3% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	4,633	54.3%	Beats 55%	C

1999 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine53.8% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	3,116	53.8%	Beats 49%	C

1998 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine53.6% passC

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.5 Diesel	2,266	53.6%	Beats 42%	C

1997 Volkswagen Caravelle2 engines52.4% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.4 Diesel	1,393	52.4%	Beats 30%	D
2.5 Diesel	1,294	52.3%	Beats 33%	D

1996 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine47.9% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.4 Diesel	1,430	47.9%	Beats 16%	E

1995 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine50.1% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.4 Diesel	1,706	50.1%	Beats 19%	E

1994 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine49.9% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
2.4 Diesel	1,478	49.9%	Beats 14%	E

1989 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine62.9% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Petrol	1,187	62.9%	Beats 24%	D

1988 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine63.9% passD

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Petrol	2,711	63.9%	Beats 30%	D

1987 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine62.6% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Petrol	2,578	62.6%	Beats 18%	E

1986 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine58.2% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Petrol	2,564	58.2%	Beats 3%	E

1985 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine58.1% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Petrol	2,568	58.1%	Beats 4%	E

1984 Volkswagen Caravelle1 engine53.3% passE

Engine	Tests	Pass rate	Rank	Grade
1.9 Petrol	1,967	53.3%	Beats 1%	E

FAQ

What is the Volkswagen Caravelle MOT pass rate?

64.6% of MOT tests on the Volkswagen Caravelle were passed first time, based on 135,183 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1984–2021. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 64.6% of the time.

Is the Volkswagen Caravelle reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 50% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Volkswagen Caravelle year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2013 Caravelle does best for its age and mileage: it beats 79% of cars on UK roads. The 1984 does worst: it beats 1%.

Which Volkswagen Caravelle engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.0 Diesel does best: it beats 60% of cars on UK roads. The 2.5 Diesel does worst: it beats 57%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Volkswagen Caravelle?

The most common failure items are headlight aim, tyre damage & cracking, sidelights.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.

Volkswagen Caravelle reliability

Verdict

MOT pass rate by age

Best and worst years

Engines

Where it fails

Every MOT area

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

Pass rate by mileage

Most common MOT failures

Specific defects found

Every year and engine

FAQ