2009 Volkswagen Caddy — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 44,993 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Volkswagen Caddy, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and visibility. Its pass rate of 74.5% was above the average for vans of a similar age (71.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 25.7% in the 150k+ group versus 17.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 14.8% | 6,654 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.4% | 5,126 |
| 3 | Visibility | 7.2% | 3,251 |
| 4 | Brakes | 7.1% | 3,199 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.6% | 2,955 |
| 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 | 1,876 |
| 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% | 17,120 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.2% | 13,144 |
| 3 | Brakes | 25.8% | 11,628 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.9% | 6,719 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.9% | 5,369 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.7% | 5,254 |
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 | 4,037 | 22.9% |
| 90-120k | 9,170 | 25.7% |
| 120-150k | 11,672 | 26.9% |
| 150k+ | 18,571 | 25.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 44,911 | 25.5% |
| Petrol | 80 | 21.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,627 | 25.7% |
| 2022 | 9,339 | 24.7% |
| 2023 | 9,163 | 25.7% |
| 2024 | 8,637 | 25.9% |
| 2025 | 8,227 | 25.8% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Caddy
Before buying a 2009 Volkswagen Caddy, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 14.8% of tests for this year.
- 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 44,993 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 44,993 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.