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B197 NSA

1985 Volkswagen Caravelle

White Petrol 1915cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires3 Apr 2027
Tests36 (20 pass, 16 fail)
Pass rate55.6%

Mileage

30,323 mi
Last recorded30,323 miles
Recorded on27 Mar 2026
Typical for 1985 Volkswagen Caravelle57,385 mi

Below or average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationB197 NSA
MakeVolkswagen
ModelCaravelle
Year1985
ColourWhite
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,915cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

20 pass 16 fail
Pass 27 Mar 2026 30,323 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Offside Front Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Rear Lower Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced valance (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Wheel bearing has slight play both nsr + osr (5.1.3 (a) (i))

parking brake travel high

Pass 4 Apr 2025 29,262 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Suspension arm attachment bracket/mounting corroded but its strength is not seriously reduced (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Vehicle structure or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Rear Lower Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced valance (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Rear Shock absorbers has slight external damage to the casing both nsr +osr shock bush eyes corroded (5.3.2 (b))

Rear Wheel bearing has slight play both nsr+osr (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Fail 10 Dec 2024 29,262 miles

Nearside Front Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced arch within 30 cm of seat belt anchor (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced door step (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Outer Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill + chassie (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded + insecure mounted (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced wheel arch within 30cm of seat belt ancor (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Outer Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose bulging under pressure (1.1.12 (d))

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake fluctuating, but not excessively (1.2.1 (e))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Lower Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced valance + wheel arch (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing has slight play (5.1.3 (a) (i))

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Fail 29 Nov 2024 29,245 miles

Nearside Front Outer Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Service brake excessively fluctuating (1.2.1 (e))

Offside Front Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Rear Inner Integral body structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced sill (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 15 Dec 2023 28,184 miles

Nearside Front Outer sill corroded

Offside Front Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Offside Front Inner sill corroded

Offside Front step corroded

Offside Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrule (1.1.12 (f) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 14 Dec 2022 27,095 miles
Pass 17 Dec 2021 24,391 miles
Pass 16 Dec 2020 23,008 miles
Fail 15 Dec 2020 23,008 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has a lump, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Pass 10 Dec 2019 22,353 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Front step corroded

Pass 6 Dec 2018 21,685 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Fail 28 Nov 2018 21,685 miles

Nearside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced bottom of pillar (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Front Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced bottom of pillar (7.1.1 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Position lamp not working (4.2.1 (a))

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (4.7.1 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Wheel bearing slightly noisy (5.1.3 (b) (i))

Pass 7 Dec 2017 20,913 miles
Fail 6 Dec 2017 20,913 miles

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Pass 18 Nov 2016 19,389 miles

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Rear Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Pass 25 Nov 2015 18,997 miles

Nearside Front Upper Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Lower Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front door step rusty

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Fail 17 Nov 2015 18,997 miles

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)

Nearside Front Upper Ball joint dust cover damaged, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front Lower Ball joint has slight play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Front door step rusty

Offside Rear Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Fail 8 Sep 2015 18,938 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Front Brake pipe excessively corroded to union (3.6.B.2c)

Front Brake pipe leaking to union (3.6.A.1)

Nearside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Suspension arm corroded and seriously weakened (2.4.G.1) DANGEROUS

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3) DANGEROUS

Nearside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Offside Front Shock absorber has slight corrosion to the casing (2.7.2a)

Pass 11 Sep 2014 17,416 miles

o/s sill holed

Fail 9 Sep 2014 17,416 miles

Driver's door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

o/s sill holed

Pass 27 Sep 2013 14,588 miles

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

nearside driveshaft seal leaking oil

offside sill corroded

Fail 17 Sep 2013 14,587 miles

Nearside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Nearside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Rear wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.6.1)

Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint dust cover deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Offside Front wheel bearing has slight play (2.5.A.3c)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

nearside driveshaft seal leaking oil

offside sill corroded

Pass 26 Sep 2012 11,242 miles
Fail 25 Sep 2012 11,242 miles

Nearside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Offside Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)

Offside Steering rack gaiter split (2.2.D.2d)

Pass 16 Sep 2011 9,266 miles
Fail 15 Sep 2011 9,266 miles

Offside Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Oil leak

Pass 23 Sep 2010 76,068 miles

Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside front wheel bearing slightly rough when rotated

Fail 17 Sep 2010 76,068 miles

Body or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of the body mountings (6.1.B.2)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Anti-roll bar linkage has slight play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play (2.6.2)

Offside front wheel bearing slightly rough when rotated

Pass 8 Sep 2009 5,348 miles
Fail 4 Sep 2009 5,348 miles

Brakes imbalanced across an axle (3.7.B.5b)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted (3.5.1h)

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Pass 19 Sep 2008 4,157 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Fail 19 Sep 2008 4,157 miles

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Stop lamp not working (1.2.1b)

Offside Front brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Pass 6 Nov 2007 3,087 miles
Fail 2 Nov 2007 3,087 miles

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content excessive (7.3.B.1b)

Nearside Rear Mechanical brake component securing device missing (3.5.1i)

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Pass 12 Oct 2006 166 miles
Fail 11 Oct 2006 166 miles

Front Anti-roll bar rubber mounting deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Windscreen wiper blade deteriorated (8.2.2)

Offside Front Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (5.2.6)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

How Reliable is the Volkswagen Caravelle?

Based on 422,168 MOT tests across 24,962 vehicles.

71.2%
Pass Rate
5,286
Miles/Year
43
Year Lifespan
24,962
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Registration plate lamp not working 8,177
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 6,845
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 6,266
Brake pipe excessively corroded 5,996
position lamp(s) not working 4,827
Full Volkswagen Caravelle reliability report

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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

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B197 NSA is a 1985 Volkswagen Caravelle in White with a 1,915cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 36 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 55.6%.

Across all 1985 Volkswagen Caravelle models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.8% with a typical mileage of 57,385 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Volkswagen Caravelle fails its MOT is registration plate lamp not working, accounting for 8,177 recorded failures. If you're considering buying B197 NSA, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Volkswagen Caravelle typically stays on UK roads for around 43 years. At 41 years old, this Volkswagen Caravelle is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of B197 NSA?

You can check the full history of B197 NSA by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was B197 NSA registered?

B197 NSA is a 1985 Volkswagen Caravelle, first registered on 29 April 1985.

Is B197 NSA safe to buy?

The MOT history for B197 NSA shows 36 tests with a 55.6% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does B197 NSA have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on B197 NSA. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.