1990 Volkswagen Caravelle — MOT failures & pass rate
434 MOT tests on the 1990 Volkswagen Caravelle are in this dataset, and 73.7% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail at 27.2%, so the 1990 Caravelle sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.1% of all tests — 4.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are washers, wipers and headlamp aim — washers alone was recorded 31 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 21.9% of 90-120k cars fail, rising to 29.2% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 31.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 70 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.8% | 51 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.7% | 42 |
| 4 | Visibility | 9.2% | 40 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 38 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.0% | 26 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 31 |
| 2 | Wipers | 29 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 27 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 27 |
| 5 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 24 |
| 6 | Steering rack | 21 |
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 | 37.6% | 163 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.9% | 147 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 22.6% | 98 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.0% | 91 |
| 5 | Tyres | 15.0% | 65 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.6% | 46 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 90-120k | 82 | 21.9% |
| 120-150k | 105 | 26.7% |
| 150k+ | 209 | 29.2% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 319 | 27.9% |
| Diesel | 115 | 21.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 74 | 25.7% |
| 2022 | 99 | 25.3% |
| 2023 | 93 | 24.7% |
| 2024 | 81 | 24.7% |
| 2025 | 87 | 31.0% |
What to check before buying a 1990 Caravelle
On a 1990 Caravelle, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.8% 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.
- Brakes (9.7% 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 1990 Volkswagen Caravelles pass their MOT?
73.7% of the 434 1990 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1990 Volkswagen Caravelle?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.1% of tests, followed by suspension (11.8%).
Does the 1990 Caravelle get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.9% in the 90-120k band to 29.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 434 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.