1991 Volkswagen Caddy — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 392 MOT tests, the 1991 Volkswagen Caddy recorded a 70.9% pass rate. That is effectively the same as vans of a similar age (29.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests against 14.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, rear fog lamp and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 58 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.6% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 31.6% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 30.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 33.0% in 2021 to 25.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 74 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.3% | 56 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.3% | 52 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.0% | 39 |
| 5 | Steering | 6.9% | 27 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.1% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 58 |
| 2 | Rear fog lamp | 32 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 31 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 23 |
| 5 | Service brake imbalance | 22 |
| 6 | Side repeaters | 18 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 30.4% | 119 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.3% | 111 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.9% | 78 |
| 4 | Tyres | 16.8% | 66 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 12.8% | 50 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.0% | 39 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 34 | 20.6% |
| 60-90k | 62 | 25.8% |
| 90-120k | 67 | 23.9% |
| 120-150k | 91 | 33.0% |
| 150k+ | 114 | 31.6% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 261 | 30.6% |
| Petrol | 131 | 25.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 97 | 33.0% |
| 2022 | 81 | 32.1% |
| 2023 | 80 | 27.5% |
| 2024 | 67 | 25.4% |
| 2025 | 67 | 25.4% |
What to check before buying a 1991 Caddy
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.9% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (13.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1991 Volkswagen Caddys pass their MOT?
70.9% of the 392 1991 Volkswagen Caddy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Volkswagen Caddy?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.9% of tests, followed by brakes (14.3%).
Does the 1991 Caddy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.6% in the 30-60k band to 31.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 392 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.