2008 · 16 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2008 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT pass rate and common faults

565 MOT tests in 2024. 54.5% passed first time, compared with 56.9% for all cars the same age.

96Below average
Passed first time54.5%
Failed or needed repairs45.5%
Typical mileage at test135,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 565 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Position lamp: not working5.5%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.6%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.1%
  4. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.1%
  5. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.7%
  6. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.2%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.8%
  8. Stop lamp: not working2.7%
  9. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.7%
  10. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics34.5%
  2. Suspension27.8%
  3. Brakes16.1%
  4. Body & chassis9.9%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.3%
  6. Emissions & leaks6.4%
  7. Tyres6.2%
  8. Steering3.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.5%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine15.0%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn12.0%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick8.8%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened7.4%

Is it getting worse with age?

The same 2008 Volkswagen Caravelle cars, tested one year apart.

2023 pass rate (age 15)57.1%569 tests
2024 pass rate (age 16)54.5%565 tests
Change in one year−2.6 pointsaverage car: −0.5 points

All cars pass less often as they get older. The 2008 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: 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 2008 Volkswagen Caravelle?

In 2024, 54.5% of 2008 Volkswagen Caravelle cars passed their MOT first time, across 565 tests. The average for all 16-year-old cars was 56.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2008 Volkswagen Caravelle?

The most common failure reasons were position lamp: not working; suspension arms - ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2008 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 2008 Volkswagen Caravelle getting worse with age?

In 2023, 57.1% passed first time. In 2024, 54.5% passed (−2.6 points). An average car that age changed by −0.5 points, so the 2008 Volkswagen Caravelle is ageing worse than average.