2015 Volkswagen Caravelle — MOT failures & pass rate
4,368 MOT tests on the 2015 Volkswagen Caravelle are in this dataset, and 81.3% of them passed. That is 1.5 percentage points worse than MPVs of a similar age, which fail at 17.1%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (7.2%) and suspension (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, track rod end and tread depth — coil spring alone was recorded 132 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.7% in the 0-30k band and 23.5% in the 150k+ band, a 8.8-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 16.7% of tests failed in 2021 against 21.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.2% | 316 |
| 2 | Suspension | 6.5% | 282 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.0% | 216 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 183 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 120 |
| 6 | Steering | 2.5% | 110 |
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 | 132 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 121 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 107 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 105 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 99 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 96 |
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 | 22.4% | 977 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.9% | 694 |
| 3 | Suspension | 15.3% | 670 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.8% | 382 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.3% | 361 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.3% | 277 |
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 | 252 | 14.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,272 | 15.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,528 | 18.6% |
| 90-120k | 716 | 21.9% |
| 120-150k | 213 | 21.6% |
| 150k+ | 387 | 23.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 879 | 16.7% |
| 2022 | 832 | 15.6% |
| 2023 | 868 | 17.6% |
| 2024 | 893 | 21.3% |
| 2025 | 896 | 21.9% |
What to check before buying a 2015 Caravelle
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 7.2% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (7.2% 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.
- Suspension (6.5% 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 (5.0% 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 2015 Volkswagen Caravelles pass their MOT?
81.3% of the 4,368 2015 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Volkswagen Caravelle?
Tyres, recorded in 7.2% of tests, followed by suspension (6.5%).
Does the 2015 Caravelle get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.7% in the 0-30k band to 23.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,368 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.