2012 Volkswagen Caravelle — MOT failures & pass rate
4,983 MOT tests on the 2012 Volkswagen Caravelle are in this dataset, and 80.4% of them passed. That is 3.1 percentage points better than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 22.7%. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (8.9%) and lighting & signalling (6.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, pins and bushes and headlamp aim — coil spring alone was recorded 169 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.2% in the 0-30k band and 22.4% in the 150k+ band, a 13.2-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.6% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 8.9% | 444 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.5% | 323 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.8% | 239 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.6% | 229 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.7% | 185 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.4% | 117 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 169 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 146 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 136 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 117 |
| 5 | Washers | 110 |
| 6 | Wipers | 103 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 23.6% | 1,174 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.3% | 1,014 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.2% | 905 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 614 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.3% | 466 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.8% | 338 |
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 | 163 | 9.2% |
| 30-60k | 665 | 12.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,379 | 18.1% |
| 90-120k | 1,225 | 21.4% |
| 120-150k | 567 | 25.9% |
| 150k+ | 982 | 22.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,949 | 19.7% |
| Petrol | 34 | 8.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,010 | 18.4% |
| 2022 | 978 | 19.1% |
| 2023 | 1,022 | 20.7% |
| 2024 | 989 | 19.8% |
| 2025 | 984 | 19.8% |
What to check before buying a 2012 Caravelle
On a 2012 Caravelle, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (8.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2012 Volkswagen Caravelles pass their MOT?
80.4% of the 4,983 2012 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Volkswagen Caravelle?
Suspension, recorded in 8.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.5%).
Does the 2012 Caravelle get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.2% in the 0-30k band to 22.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,983 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.