2005 · 19 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2005 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT pass rate and common faults

651 MOT tests in 2024. 52.8% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

93Below average
Passed first time52.8%
Failed or needed repairs47.2%
Typical mileage at test163,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 651 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working5.1%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.8%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.7%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.7%
  5. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.5%
  6. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn3.4%
  7. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.2%
  8. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.2%
  9. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.1%
  10. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.1%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics35.6%
  2. Suspension27.3%
  3. Brakes26.0%
  4. Body & chassis11.4%
  5. Tyres7.8%
  6. Emissions & leaks6.9%
  7. Steering4.6%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded21.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm16.4%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.1%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn8.6%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.4%

Is it getting worse with age?

The same 2005 Volkswagen Caravelle cars, tested one year apart.

2023 pass rate (age 18)53.3%686 tests
2024 pass rate (age 19)52.8%651 tests
Change in one year−0.5 pointsaverage car: +0.3 points

All cars pass less often as they get older. The 2005 Volkswagen Caravelle is ageing about the same as an average car.

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: position lamp: not working. 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 2005 Volkswagen Caravelle?

In 2024, 52.8% of 2005 Volkswagen Caravelle cars passed their MOT first time, across 651 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Volkswagen Caravelle?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2005 Volkswagen Caravelle reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 93, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).

Is the 2005 Volkswagen Caravelle getting worse with age?

In 2023, 53.3% passed first time. In 2024, 52.8% passed (−0.5 points). An average car that age changed by +0.3 points, so the 2005 Volkswagen Caravelle is ageing about the same as average.