2004 · 20 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2004 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT pass rate and common faults

497 MOT tests in 2024. 54.1% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

96Below average
Passed first time54.1%
Failed or needed repairs45.9%
Typical mileage at test169,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 497 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.2%
  2. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps4.8%
  3. Position lamp: not working4.8%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.2%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.8%
  6. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.8%
  7. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.8%
  8. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.6%
  9. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn3.4%
  10. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault3.2%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics38.2%
  2. Suspension27.8%
  3. Brakes22.9%
  4. Body & chassis10.5%
  5. Tyres7.4%
  6. Steering7.2%
  7. Emissions & leaks5.0%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded20.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.7%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.1%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.7%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened10.3%

Is it getting worse with age?

The same 2004 Volkswagen Caravelle cars, tested one year apart.

2023 pass rate (age 19)55.5%533 tests
2024 pass rate (age 20)54.1%497 tests
Change in one year−1.4 pointsaverage car: +0.4 points

All cars pass less often as they get older. The 2004 Volkswagen Caravelle is ageing worse than an average car, so problems may be starting to build up at this age.

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Volkswagen Caravelle?

In 2024, 54.1% of 2004 Volkswagen Caravelle cars passed their MOT first time, across 497 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Volkswagen Caravelle?

The most common failure reasons were headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps; position lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Volkswagen Caravelle reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 96, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).

Is the 2004 Volkswagen Caravelle getting worse with age?

In 2023, 55.5% passed first time. In 2024, 54.1% passed (−1.4 points). An average car that age changed by +0.4 points, so the 2004 Volkswagen Caravelle is ageing worse than average.