2002 Volkswagen Caddy — MOT failures & pass rate
2,143 MOT tests on the 2002 Volkswagen Caddy are in this dataset, and 70.7% of them passed. That is effectively the same as vans of a similar age (30.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (17.5%) and lighting & signalling (16.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp aim — service brake performance alone was recorded 209 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 23.6% in the 30-60k band and 30.8% in the 150k+ band, a 7.1-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 43.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 17.5% | 375 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 16.8% | 360 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.3% | 306 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.1% | 260 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.4% | 137 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.7% | 122 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 209 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 161 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 160 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 155 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 151 |
| 6 | Service brake imbalance | 141 |
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 | 43.1% | 923 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.2% | 668 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.2% | 540 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 23.2% | 497 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.0% | 279 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 12.5% | 267 |
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 | 55 | 23.6% |
| 60-90k | 226 | 26.1% |
| 90-120k | 387 | 25.8% |
| 120-150k | 538 | 31.2% |
| 150k+ | 904 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 623 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 531 | 31.6% |
| 2023 | 403 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 322 | 29.2% |
| 2025 | 264 | 30.7% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Caddy
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 17.5% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (17.5% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (16.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.3% 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 2002 Volkswagen Caddys pass their MOT?
70.7% of the 2,143 2002 Volkswagen Caddy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Volkswagen Caddy?
Brakes, recorded in 17.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (16.8%).
Does the 2002 Caddy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.6% in the 30-60k band to 30.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,143 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.