1999 Volkswagen Caravelle — MOT failures & pass rate
2,727 MOT tests on the 1999 Volkswagen Caravelle are in this dataset, and 71.1% of them passed. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (29.8% 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 (15.4%) and brakes (13.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, component mounting prescribed areas and washers — service brake performance alone was recorded 195 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1999 Caravelle fails 28.0% of the time in the 30-60k band and 30.6% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.6 points.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 41.7% 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 | 15.4% | 421 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.9% | 378 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.9% | 270 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.7% | 265 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.0% | 217 |
| 6 | Steering | 6.6% | 180 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Service brake performance | 195 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 167 |
| 3 | Washers | 142 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 140 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 116 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 112 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 41.7% | 1,136 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.1% | 766 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.5% | 613 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 21.6% | 588 |
| 5 | Other defects | 21.6% | 588 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 20.5% | 560 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 50 | 28.0% |
| 60-90k | 68 | 23.5% |
| 90-120k | 275 | 22.6% |
| 120-150k | 353 | 24.9% |
| 150k+ | 1,945 | 30.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,373 | 29.7% |
| Petrol | 354 | 24.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 593 | 28.8% |
| 2022 | 567 | 27.5% |
| 2023 | 540 | 30.4% |
| 2024 | 520 | 30.0% |
| 2025 | 507 | 28.0% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Caravelle
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (13.9% 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 (9.9% 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 1999 Volkswagen Caravelles pass their MOT?
71.1% of the 2,727 1999 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Volkswagen Caravelle?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by brakes (13.9%).
Does the 1999 Caravelle get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 28.0% in the 30-60k band to 30.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,727 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.