2008 Volkswagen Caravelle — MOT failures & pass rate
3,753 MOT tests on the 2008 Volkswagen Caravelle are in this dataset, and 73.4% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail 28.5% of the time, so this is 1.8pp 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 16.3% of tests against 13.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, ball joint dust cover and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 273 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 29.1% versus 8.1%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.3% 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 | 16.3% | 612 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.2% | 494 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.5% | 283 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 191 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.1% | 191 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.0% | 187 |
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 | 273 |
| 2 | Ball joint dust cover | 254 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 175 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 170 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 126 |
| 6 | Washers | 123 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 34.3% | 1,286 |
| 2 | Brakes | 25.1% | 943 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.6% | 924 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 710 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 14.5% | 543 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.3% | 387 |
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 | 37 | 8.1% |
| 30-60k | 120 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 434 | 20.7% |
| 90-120k | 925 | 25.5% |
| 120-150k | 980 | 28.6% |
| 150k+ | 1,256 | 29.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,641 | 26.5% |
| Petrol | 112 | 30.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 772 | 26.0% |
| 2022 | 734 | 24.0% |
| 2023 | 752 | 27.7% |
| 2024 | 771 | 28.4% |
| 2025 | 724 | 27.1% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Caravelle
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 16.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (16.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.2% 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 (7.5% 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 2008 Volkswagen Caravelles pass their MOT?
73.4% of the 3,753 2008 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Volkswagen Caravelle?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.3% of tests, followed by suspension (13.2%).
Does the 2008 Caravelle get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.1% in the 0-30k band to 29.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,753 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.