Volkswagen Caravan Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Volkswagen Caravan car check
Is the Volkswagen Caravan reliable? We analysed 3,825 real MOT tests across 242 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Volkswagen Caravan? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Volkswagen Caravan is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volkswagen Caravan.
Volkswagen Caravan Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Volkswagen Caravan. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Volkswagen Caravan MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Volkswagen Caravan to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Volkswagen Caravan Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Volkswagen Caravan fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Volkswagen Caravan Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Volkswagen Caravan owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Volkswagen Caravan MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volkswagen Caravan year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 76 | 72.4% | 40,590 | 63,998 | 94,094 |
| 2008 | 99 | 68.7% | 36,866 | 46,253 | 57,386 |
| 2007 | 95 | 70.5% | 42,950 | 70,808 | 91,410 |
| 2006 | 56 | 64.3% | 38,061 | 67,788 | 80,022 |
| 2005 | 78 | 67.9% | 27,134 | 74,971 | 88,346 |
| 2004 | 156 | 68.6% | 14,510 | 38,854 | 98,480 |
| 1995 | 90 | 67.8% | 92,079 | 96,072 | 185,726 |
| 1991 | 198 | 69.2% | 110,234 | 162,161 | 187,754 |
| 1990 | 171 | 69.6% | 107,818 | 146,636 | 196,168 |
| 1989 | 165 | 69.1% | 84,326 | 134,486 | 206,044 |
| 1987 | 103 | 68.9% | 103,755 | 133,589 | 165,912 |
| 1986 | 144 | 63.2% | 27,534 | 49,832 | 231,092 |
| 1985 | 54 | 64.8% | 38,337 | 45,605 | 52,557 |
| 1983 | 147 | 62.6% | 43,247 | 74,187 | 147,591 |
| 1982 | 171 | 66.7% | 18,272 | 46,810 | 83,975 |
| 1981 | 122 | 65.6% | 23,366 | 44,606 | 57,714 |
| 1980 | 109 | 69.7% | 18,900 | 65,487 | 82,611 |
| 1979 | 187 | 61.5% | 38,136 | 59,942 | 80,719 |
| 1975 | 173 | 60.1% | 33,056 | 63,876 | 85,326 |
| 1974 | 104 | 62.5% | 20,596 | 37,278 | 46,591 |
How Long Does a Volkswagen Caravan Last?
Based on 242 Volkswagen Caravan vehicles on UK roads.
Volkswagen Caravan Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Volkswagen Caravan MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Volkswagen Caravan
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
73.0% MOT pass rate from 115 tests
60.1% MOT pass rate from 173 tests
The best year to buy a used Volkswagen Caravan is 1971, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 73.0% across 115 tests. The 1975 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Volkswagen Caravan Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Caravan THIS CAR | 66.6% | 3,825 | 65,301 mi | 59 yrs |
| Volkswagen Golf | 74.9% | 22,270,993 | 83,305 mi | 37 yrs |
| Volkswagen Polo | 72.9% | 14,598,296 | 60,351 mi | 35 yrs |
| Volkswagen Passat | 73.5% | 6,960,690 | 105,632 mi | 32 yrs |
| Indian Motorcycle Scout Bobber | 90.7% | 2,488 | 4,208 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Volkswagen Golf (74.9% pass rate) and the Volkswagen Polo (72.9% pass rate), the Volkswagen Caravan trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Volkswagen Caravan you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Volkswagen CaravanShould you buy a used Volkswagen Caravan?
The Volkswagen Caravan has an overall MOT pass rate of 66.6% across 3,825 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Volkswagen Caravan are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (245 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (191), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (167). 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 Volkswagen Caravan owner drives around 1,316 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 Volkswagen Caravan models stay on UK roads for around 59 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.