2001 Volkswagen Caravelle — MOT failures & pass rate
4,364 MOT tests on the 2001 Volkswagen Caravelle are in this dataset, and 70.6% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail at 29.6%, so the 2001 Caravelle sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.4% of all tests — 4.0 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, service brake performance and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 324 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 17.7% in the 30-60k band and 30.9% in the 150k+ band, a 13.2-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 41.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.7% in 2021 to 28.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.4% | 714 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.4% | 541 |
| 3 | Suspension | 11.0% | 479 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.5% | 457 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.6% | 330 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.4% | 280 |
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 | 324 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 285 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 224 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 210 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 203 |
| 6 | Steering rack | 199 |
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 | 41.5% | 1,811 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.5% | 1,286 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 26.8% | 1,169 |
| 4 | Tyres | 23.2% | 1,014 |
| 5 | Other defects | 23.1% | 1,007 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.4% | 848 |
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 | 62 | 17.7% |
| 60-90k | 132 | 23.5% |
| 90-120k | 310 | 22.3% |
| 120-150k | 553 | 27.1% |
| 150k+ | 3,301 | 30.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,230 | 29.6% |
| Petrol | 134 | 21.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 973 | 30.7% |
| 2022 | 926 | 31.3% |
| 2023 | 856 | 27.7% |
| 2024 | 818 | 28.4% |
| 2025 | 791 | 28.4% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Caravelle
On a 2001 Caravelle, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.4% 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 (11.0% 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 2001 Volkswagen Caravelles pass their MOT?
70.6% of the 4,364 2001 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Volkswagen Caravelle?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.4% of tests, followed by brakes (12.4%).
Does the 2001 Caravelle get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.7% in the 30-60k band to 30.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,364 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.