2000 Volkswagen Caravelle — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 3,695 MOT tests, the 2000 Volkswagen Caravelle recorded a 69.8% pass rate. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (29.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.5%) and brakes (14.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and rigid brake pipes — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 336 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.6% in the 30-60k band and 31.4% in the 150k+ band, a 16.7-point spread — more than double.
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 | 16.5% | 611 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.3% | 530 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.8% | 434 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.8% | 398 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.4% | 274 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.0% | 259 |
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 | 336 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 261 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 193 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 179 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 173 |
| 6 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 171 |
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% | 1,541 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.4% | 1,085 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 28.8% | 1,066 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.8% | 843 |
| 5 | Other defects | 22.4% | 827 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.9% | 811 |
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 | 41 | 14.6% |
| 60-90k | 99 | 19.2% |
| 90-120k | 259 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 505 | 29.7% |
| 150k+ | 2,788 | 31.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,520 | 30.4% |
| Petrol | 175 | 27.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 799 | 30.4% |
| 2022 | 770 | 30.0% |
| 2023 | 754 | 31.0% |
| 2024 | 720 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 652 | 30.1% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Caravelle
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (14.3% 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.
- 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.
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 2000 Volkswagen Caravelles pass their MOT?
69.8% of the 3,695 2000 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Volkswagen Caravelle?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests, followed by brakes (14.3%).
Does the 2000 Caravelle get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.6% in the 30-60k band to 31.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,695 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.