1998 Volkswagen Caddy — MOT failures & pass rate
615 MOT tests on the 1998 Volkswagen Caddy are in this dataset, and 68.6% of them passed. That is 1.8 percentage points worse than vans of a similar age, which fail at 29.6%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (21.0%) and lighting & signalling (18.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and prescribed areas — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 181 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1998 Caddy fails 27.7% of the time in the 30-60k band and 29.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.2 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 41.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 21.0% | 129 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.7% | 115 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.2% | 81 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.9% | 73 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.5% | 34 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.5% | 34 |
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 | 181 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 50 |
| 3 | Prescribed areas | 47 |
| 4 | Service brake imbalance | 42 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 32 |
| 6 | Wheel bearings | 31 |
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 | 41.1% | 253 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.1% | 222 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.8% | 134 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.8% | 122 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 16.3% | 100 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.5% | 71 |
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 | 47 | 27.7% |
| 60-90k | 125 | 34.4% |
| 90-120k | 189 | 33.9% |
| 120-150k | 129 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 124 | 29.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 580 | 32.2% |
| Petrol | 35 | 17.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 177 | 35.0% |
| 2022 | 143 | 30.8% |
| 2023 | 121 | 26.5% |
| 2024 | 87 | 28.7% |
| 2025 | 87 | 34.5% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Caddy
On a 1998 Caddy, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 21.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (21.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (18.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.2% 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.
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 1998 Volkswagen Caddys pass their MOT?
68.6% of the 615 1998 Volkswagen Caddy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Volkswagen Caddy?
Suspension, recorded in 21.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.7%).
Does the 1998 Caddy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 27.7% in the 30-60k band to 29.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 615 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.