2009 Volkswagen Caddy — MOT failures & pass rate
45,007 MOT tests on the 2009 Volkswagen Caddy are in this dataset, and 74.5% of them passed. That is 2.7 percentage points better than vans of a similar age, which fail at 28.2%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 14.8% of all tests — 3.4 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, washers and headlamp aim — pins and bushes alone was recorded 3,255 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.7% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 38.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.8% | 6,654 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.4% | 5,128 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.2% | 3,251 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.1% | 3,199 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 2,956 |
| 6 | Tyres | 6.1% | 2,764 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 3,255 |
| 2 | Washers | 2,376 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,878 |
| 4 | Ball joint dust cover | 1,737 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 1,715 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 1,648 |
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 | 38.0% | 17,126 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.2% | 13,148 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.9% | 11,635 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 6,720 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.9% | 5,373 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.7% | 5,257 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 245 | 17.1% |
| 30-60k | 1,273 | 19.3% |
| 60-90k | 4,038 | 22.9% |
| 90-120k | 9,175 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 11,672 | 26.9% |
| 150k+ | 18,579 | 25.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 44,925 | 25.5% |
| Petrol | 80 | 21.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,629 | 25.7% |
| 2022 | 9,343 | 24.7% |
| 2023 | 9,165 | 25.7% |
| 2024 | 8,640 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 8,230 | 25.8% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Caddy
On a 2009 Caddy, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (14.8% 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 (11.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (7.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2009 Volkswagen Caddys pass their MOT?
74.5% of the 45,007 2009 Volkswagen Caddy MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Volkswagen Caddy?
Suspension, recorded in 14.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.4%).
Does the 2009 Caddy get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.1% in the 0-30k band to 25.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 45,007 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.