1986 Volkswagen Caravelle — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,210 MOT tests, the 1986 Volkswagen Caravelle recorded a 71.8% pass rate. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.8% of tests against 11.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, wipers and washers — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 255 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1986 Caravelle fails 30.8% of the time in the 0-30k band and 30.6% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.2 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.8% in 2021 to 27.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.8% | 349 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.7% | 258 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.3% | 227 |
| 4 | Visibility | 9.2% | 203 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.3% | 183 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 135 |
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 | 255 |
| 2 | Wipers | 132 |
| 3 | Washers | 130 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 111 |
| 5 | Non catalyst emissions | 109 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 109 |
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 | 35.1% | 775 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.4% | 671 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.8% | 371 |
| 4 | Tyres | 15.8% | 349 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.1% | 312 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.2% | 203 |
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 | 568 | 30.8% |
| 30-60k | 616 | 28.9% |
| 60-90k | 519 | 25.4% |
| 90-120k | 269 | 27.1% |
| 120-150k | 75 | 21.3% |
| 150k+ | 157 | 30.6% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,087 | 28.2% |
| Diesel | 123 | 28.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 490 | 30.8% |
| 2022 | 477 | 29.8% |
| 2023 | 430 | 24.4% |
| 2024 | 420 | 28.6% |
| 2025 | 393 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 1986 Caravelle
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.7% 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.
- Brakes (10.3% 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 1986 Volkswagen Caravelles pass their MOT?
71.8% of the 2,210 1986 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1986 Volkswagen Caravelle?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.8% of tests, followed by suspension (11.7%).
Does the 1986 Caravelle get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.8% in the 0-30k band to 30.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,210 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.