2004 Volkswagen Caravelle — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2004 Volkswagen Caravelle passed 71.0% of its 3,521 recorded MOT tests. Against MPVs of a similar age (30.1% fail rate), the 2004 Caravelle comes out 1.1pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.7% of tests against 15.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, pins and bushes and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 318 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 13.0% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 31.1% once past 150k — 2.4× the risk.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 38.6% 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 | 18.7% | 657 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.0% | 529 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.8% | 416 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.4% | 190 |
| 5 | Tyres | 4.3% | 153 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.0% | 142 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 318 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 211 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 188 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 166 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 163 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 150 |
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 | 38.6% | 1,359 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.9% | 1,265 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.8% | 801 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 22.7% | 798 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.5% | 476 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.7% | 412 |
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 | 69 | 13.0% |
| 60-90k | 208 | 21.6% |
| 90-120k | 392 | 24.7% |
| 120-150k | 619 | 28.6% |
| 150k+ | 2,212 | 31.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,431 | 28.9% |
| Petrol | 90 | 32.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 727 | 28.5% |
| 2022 | 745 | 29.4% |
| 2023 | 720 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 676 | 29.6% |
| 2025 | 653 | 29.3% |
What to check before buying a 2004 Caravelle
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.0% 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.
- Brakes (11.8% 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.
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 2004 Volkswagen Caravelles pass their MOT?
71.0% of the 3,521 2004 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Volkswagen Caravelle?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.7% of tests, followed by suspension (15.0%).
Does the 2004 Caravelle get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.0% in the 30-60k band to 31.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,521 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.