2003 Volkswagen Caravelle — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,019 MOT tests, the 2003 Volkswagen Caravelle recorded a 70.0% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail at 29.9%, so the 2003 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 16.5% of all tests — 3.4 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are service brake performance, position lamp and headlamp aim — service brake performance alone was recorded 253 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 31.6% versus 19.5%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 40.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 32.0% in 2021 to 29.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.5% | 664 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.1% | 528 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.2% | 489 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 373 |
| 5 | Steering | 7.2% | 291 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.9% | 198 |
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 | 253 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 220 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 213 |
| 4 | Track rod end | 195 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 188 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 164 |
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 | 40.6% | 1,633 |
| 2 | Suspension | 31.8% | 1,279 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.0% | 963 |
| 4 | Other defects | 21.6% | 867 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.9% | 801 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 14.8% | 593 |
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 | 19.5% |
| 60-90k | 141 | 25.5% |
| 90-120k | 290 | 21.4% |
| 120-150k | 567 | 27.3% |
| 150k+ | 2,965 | 31.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,971 | 30.0% |
| Petrol | 48 | 27.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 883 | 32.0% |
| 2022 | 860 | 30.6% |
| 2023 | 797 | 28.5% |
| 2024 | 753 | 29.1% |
| 2025 | 726 | 29.2% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Caravelle
On a 2003 Caravelle, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- 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 (13.1% 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 (12.2% 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 2003 Volkswagen Caravelles pass their MOT?
70.0% of the 4,019 2003 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Volkswagen Caravelle?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.5% of tests, followed by brakes (13.1%).
Does the 2003 Caravelle get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.5% in the 30-60k band to 31.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,019 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.