2006 Volkswagen Caravelle — MOT failures & pass rate
4,121 MOT tests on the 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle are in this dataset, and 71.4% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.8% of the time, so this is 1.2pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests against 14.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, position lamp and registration plate lamp(s) — headlamp aim alone was recorded 324 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 30.5% versus 18.0%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 35.7% 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 | 18.1% | 747 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.3% | 589 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.5% | 432 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 211 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.0% | 205 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.9% | 203 |
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 | 324 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 217 |
| 3 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 205 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 189 |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover | 183 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 170 |
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 | 35.7% | 1,472 |
| 2 | Suspension | 35.5% | 1,464 |
| 3 | Tyres | 22.2% | 916 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 20.8% | 856 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 11.3% | 467 |
| 6 | Other defects | 11.3% | 465 |
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 | 89 | 18.0% |
| 60-90k | 294 | 24.1% |
| 90-120k | 682 | 26.3% |
| 120-150k | 871 | 28.8% |
| 150k+ | 2,165 | 30.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,992 | 28.7% |
| Petrol | 124 | 26.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 860 | 28.3% |
| 2022 | 856 | 28.5% |
| 2023 | 838 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 809 | 29.5% |
| 2025 | 758 | 28.5% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Caravelle
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (14.3% 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 (10.5% 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 2006 Volkswagen Caravelles pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 4,121 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by suspension (14.3%).
Does the 2006 Caravelle get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 18.0% in the 30-60k band to 30.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,121 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.