1991 Volkswagen Caravelle — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 367 MOT tests, the 1991 Volkswagen Caravelle recorded a 72.2% pass rate. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (28.0% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.2%) and brakes (12.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rigid brake pipes and service brake performance — headlamp aim alone was recorded 26 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 90-120k one: 35.3% versus 23.3%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 27.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 52 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 45 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.5% | 31 |
| 4 | Suspension | 8.5% | 31 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.7% | 21 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.4% | 16 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 26 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 25 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 24 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 20 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 19 |
| 6 | Wipers | 17 |
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 | 27.8% | 102 |
| 2 | Brakes | 24.8% | 91 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.4% | 60 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 13.9% | 51 |
| 5 | Tyres | 12.3% | 45 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.9% | 40 |
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 | 60 | 23.3% |
| 120-150k | 104 | 22.1% |
| 150k+ | 139 | 35.3% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 229 | 24.4% |
| Diesel | 138 | 33.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59 | 23.7% |
| 2022 | 86 | 31.4% |
| 2023 | 79 | 32.9% |
| 2024 | 78 | 25.6% |
| 2025 | 65 | 23.1% |
What to check before buying a 1991 Caravelle
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 14.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (14.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.3% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.5% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
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 1991 Volkswagen Caravelles pass their MOT?
72.2% of the 367 1991 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Volkswagen Caravelle?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.2% of tests, followed by brakes (12.3%).
Does the 1991 Caravelle get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.3% in the 90-120k band to 35.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 367 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.