2020 Volkswagen Caravelle — MOT failures & pass rate
949 MOT tests on the 2020 Volkswagen Caravelle are in this dataset, and 88.6% of them passed. That is effectively the same as MPVs of a similar age (10.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.1%) and suspension (4.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, shock absorbers and tread depth — headlamp aim alone was recorded 27 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2020 Caravelle fails 8.2% of the time in the 0-30k band and 9.6% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.4 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 18.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 8.6% of tests failed in 2023 against 13.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.1% | 48 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.0% | 38 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.7% | 26 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.8% | 17 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.5% | 14 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.6% | 6 |
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 | 27 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 25 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 20 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 11 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 11 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 9 |
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 | 18.3% | 174 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.4% | 80 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.5% | 71 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.8% | 55 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.4% | 42 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 18 |
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 | 366 | 8.2% |
| 30-60k | 359 | 12.8% |
| 60-90k | 103 | 21.4% |
| 90-120k | 35 | 5.7% |
| 120-150k | 34 | 8.8% |
| 150k+ | 52 | 9.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 290 | 8.6% |
| 2024 | 314 | 11.2% |
| 2025 | 316 | 13.3% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Caravelle
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.1% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.1% 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 (4.0% 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 (2.7% 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 2020 Volkswagen Caravelles pass their MOT?
88.6% of the 949 2020 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Volkswagen Caravelle?
Tyres, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by suspension (4.0%).
Does the 2020 Caravelle get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 0-30k band to 9.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 949 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.