2018 Volkswagen Caravelle — MOT failures & pass rate
3,813 MOT tests on the 2018 Volkswagen Caravelle are in this dataset, and 85.3% of them passed. Against MPVs of a similar age (12.2% fail rate), the 2018 Caravelle comes out 2.5pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.1%) and suspension (5.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, tread depth and brake pads — coil spring alone was recorded 115 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 9.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 14.3% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.4% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.1% | 231 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.1% | 193 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 129 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.6% | 98 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.1% | 79 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 62 |
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 | 115 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 97 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 70 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 62 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 61 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 57 |
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 | 21.4% | 817 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.2% | 619 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.5% | 286 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.2% | 276 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.0% | 154 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 59 |
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 | 1,129 | 9.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,738 | 15.9% |
| 60-90k | 670 | 18.7% |
| 90-120k | 166 | 22.9% |
| 120-150k | 47 | 14.9% |
| 150k+ | 63 | 14.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 3,540 | 14.8% |
| Petrol | 273 | 13.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 748 | 11.4% |
| 2022 | 751 | 13.5% |
| 2023 | 754 | 14.3% |
| 2024 | 781 | 16.9% |
| 2025 | 779 | 17.5% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Caravelle
On a 2018 Caravelle, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.1% 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 (5.1% 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 (3.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2018 Volkswagen Caravelles pass their MOT?
85.3% of the 3,813 2018 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Volkswagen Caravelle?
Tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by suspension (5.1%).
Does the 2018 Caravelle get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.4% in the 0-30k band to 14.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 3,813 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.