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Dodge Caravan Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Dodge Caravan reliable? We analysed 1,275 real MOT tests across 263 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,275 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
71.1%
Typical Mileage
89,375mi
Annual Mileage
6,699mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
29yrs

The Dodge Caravan is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include position lamp(s) not working, fog lamp not working and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Dodge Caravan.

Dodge Caravan Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Dodge Caravan. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Dodge Caravan MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Dodge Caravan to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

66%
2010
72.2%
2008
74.4%
2006
72%
2005
68.4%
2004
73.1%
2003
73.9%
2002
76.3%
2000
74.7%
1999
74.5%
1997

Dodge Caravan Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Dodge Caravan fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

position lamp(s) not working 72
fog lamp not working 47
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 43
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 34
Direction indicator incorrect colour 30
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 26
parking brake recording little or no effort 25
brake binding 21
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 21
Brake pipe excessively corroded 19

Dodge Caravan Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Dodge Caravan owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
3,569 mi/yr
Typical
6,699 mi/yr
Average
7,898 mi/yr
Heavy usage
11,178 mi/yr

Dodge Caravan MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Dodge Caravan year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2010 53 66.0% 61,231 88,632 134,111
2008 90 72.2% 22,600 43,600 81,991
2006 78 74.4% 26,810 46,564 64,645
2005 118 72.0% 50,155 73,495 97,238
2004 79 68.4% 33,040 46,699 98,689
2003 78 73.1% 54,580 74,600 117,266
2002 92 73.9% 59,790 87,046 115,350
2000 80 76.3% 62,858 85,956 116,994
1999 87 74.7% 94,164 113,068 150,233
1997 55 74.5% 100,184 132,393 175,179

How Long Does a Dodge Caravan Last?

Based on 263 Dodge Caravan vehicles on UK roads.

Average
9.0 years
Median
8.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
29 years

Dodge Caravan Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Dodge Caravan MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
89,375 mi
75th Percentile
127,598 mi
95th Percentile
172,123 mi
Max Recorded
596,412 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Dodge Caravan

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2000

76.3% MOT pass rate from 80 tests

Year to avoid
2010

66.0% MOT pass rate from 53 tests

The best year to buy a used Dodge Caravan is 2000, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 76.3% across 80 tests. The 2010 model year has the lowest pass rate at 66.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Dodge Caravan Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Dodge Caravan THIS CAR 71.1% 1,275 89,375 mi 29 yrs
Dodge Caliber 66.6% 69,277 63,872 mi 20 yrs
Dodge Nitro 70% 31,689 69,599 mi 19 yrs
Dodge Ram 80.3% 27,651 82,712 mi 41 yrs
Vauxhall Vivaro 2700 DTI SWB 64.4% 915 164,764 mi — yrs

Compared to the Dodge Caliber (66.6% pass rate) and the Dodge Nitro (70.0% pass rate), the Dodge Caravan outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Dodge Caravan?

The Dodge Caravan has an overall MOT pass rate of 71.1% across 1,275 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Dodge Caravan are position lamp(s) not working (72 recorded failures), fog lamp not working (47), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (43). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Dodge Caravan owner drives around 6,699 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Dodge Caravan models stay on UK roads for around 29 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Dodge Caravan — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Dodge Caravan reliable?
Based on 1,275 MOT tests, the Dodge Caravan has a 71.1% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Dodge Caravan?
The most common MOT failures are position lamp(s) not working, fog lamp not working, and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Dodge Caravan do per year?
The typical Dodge Caravan does around 6,699 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Dodge Caravan last?
Most Dodge Caravan models stay on UK roads for around 29 years based on our analysis of 263 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Dodge Caravan?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Dodge Caravan?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Dodge Caravan is 2000 with a 76.3% pass rate across 80 tests.