2005 Volkswagen Caravelle — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,542 MOT tests, the 2005 Volkswagen Caravelle recorded a 71.2% pass rate. That is 1.2 percentage points better than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 30.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 18.4% of all tests — 4.2 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, rigid brake pipes and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 399 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.5% versus 18.8%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 37.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 27.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 835 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.2% | 646 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.0% | 543 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.4% | 244 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.3% | 241 |
| 6 | Tyres | 4.6% | 207 |
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 | 399 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 244 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 238 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 195 |
| 5 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 195 |
| 6 | Ball joint dust cover | 188 |
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 | 37.6% | 1,709 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.9% | 1,678 |
| 3 | Tyres | 23.3% | 1,056 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 23.0% | 1,044 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.1% | 638 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.0% | 500 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 32 | 18.8% |
| 30-60k | 58 | 15.5% |
| 60-90k | 266 | 21.4% |
| 90-120k | 566 | 27.2% |
| 120-150k | 1,019 | 28.5% |
| 150k+ | 2,599 | 30.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,448 | 28.9% |
| Petrol | 94 | 24.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 918 | 27.6% |
| 2022 | 940 | 28.1% |
| 2023 | 919 | 28.8% |
| 2024 | 892 | 30.2% |
| 2025 | 873 | 29.5% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Caravelle
On a 2005 Caravelle, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (18.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.2% 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.
- Brakes (12.0% 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 2005 Volkswagen Caravelles pass their MOT?
71.2% of the 4,542 2005 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Volkswagen Caravelle?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by suspension (14.2%).
Does the 2005 Caravelle get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.8% in the 0-30k band to 30.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,542 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.