2002 Volkswagen Caravelle — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Volkswagen Caravelle passed 72.0% of its 4,671 recorded MOT tests. Against MPVs of a similar age (29.6% fail rate), the 2002 Caravelle comes out 1.6pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests against 12.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, component mounting prescribed areas and headlamp aim — service brake performance alone was recorded 281 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 12.1% in the 30-60k band and 30.1% in the 150k+ band, a 18.0-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 42.2% 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 | 15.5% | 722 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 576 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.9% | 464 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.4% | 438 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.1% | 330 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.1% | 286 |
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 | 281 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 227 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 208 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 201 |
| 5 | Steering rack | 200 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 190 |
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 | 42.2% | 1,973 |
| 2 | Suspension | 28.3% | 1,323 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 24.0% | 1,122 |
| 4 | Tyres | 22.1% | 1,030 |
| 5 | Other defects | 21.8% | 1,020 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.4% | 907 |
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 | 99 | 12.1% |
| 60-90k | 239 | 20.5% |
| 90-120k | 331 | 23.0% |
| 120-150k | 578 | 24.9% |
| 150k+ | 3,415 | 30.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,516 | 28.0% |
| Petrol | 155 | 29.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 962 | 28.3% |
| 2022 | 967 | 27.7% |
| 2023 | 969 | 28.8% |
| 2024 | 880 | 26.6% |
| 2025 | 893 | 28.7% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Caravelle
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.5% 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.
- Suspension (9.9% 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 2002 Volkswagen Caravelles pass their MOT?
72.0% of the 4,671 2002 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Volkswagen Caravelle?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests, followed by brakes (12.3%).
Does the 2002 Caravelle get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.1% in the 30-60k band to 30.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,671 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.