1992 Volkswagen Caddy — MOT failures & pass rate
334 MOT tests on the 1992 Volkswagen Caddy are in this dataset, and 73.4% of them passed. Vans of a similar age fail 30.0% of the time, so this is 3.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 21.9% of all tests — 8.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and rear fog lamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 40 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 25.8% in the 30-60k band and 30.0% in the 150k+ band, a 4.2-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 23.9% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 21.9% | 73 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.5% | 45 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.2% | 34 |
| 4 | Brakes | 9.3% | 31 |
| 5 | Steering | 5.7% | 19 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 19 |
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 | 40 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 32 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 28 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 19 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 18 |
| 6 | Wheel bearings | 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 | Suspension | 23.9% | 80 |
| 2 | Brakes | 21.6% | 72 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.3% | 61 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.0% | 40 |
| 5 | Tyres | 9.6% | 32 |
| 6 | Other defects | 8.4% | 28 |
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 | 31 | 25.8% |
| 60-90k | 40 | 22.5% |
| 90-120k | 81 | 23.5% |
| 120-150k | 96 | 32.3% |
| 150k+ | 60 | 30.0% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 190 | 29.5% |
| Diesel | 144 | 22.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 70 | 27.1% |
| 2023 | 67 | 22.4% |
| 2024 | 66 | 27.3% |
| 2025 | 59 | 28.8% |
What to check before buying a 1992 Caddy
On a 1992 Caddy, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (21.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.5% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 1992 Volkswagen Caddys pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 334 1992 Volkswagen Caddy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Volkswagen Caddy?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 21.9% of tests, followed by suspension (13.5%).
Does the 1992 Caddy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.8% in the 30-60k band to 30.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 334 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.