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D185 VSW

1987 Volkswagen Caravelle

Maroon Petrol 1968cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires30 Apr 2027
Tests26 (15 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate57.7%

Mileage

341,282 mi
Last recorded341,282 miles
Recorded on1 May 2026
Typical for 1987 Volkswagen Caravelle99,479 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

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

RegistrationD185 VSW
MakeVolkswagen
ModelCaravelle
Year1987
ColourMaroon
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,968cc

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

15 pass 11 fail
Pass 1 May 2026 341,282 miles

Offside Rear parking brake performance alot less than nearside

Fail 29 Apr 2026 341,282 miles

Offside Front Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Rear fog lamp switch missing (4.5.3 (a))

Stop lamp(s) all not working (4.3.1 (a) (iii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear parking brake performance alot less than nearside

Pass 17 Apr 2025 315,529 miles

Steering rack gaiter damaged or deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.1.3 (g) (i))

Pass 11 Apr 2024 294,129 miles

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

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

rear bumper not fully secure

Pass 21 Mar 2023 273,002 miles
Pass 31 Mar 2022 251,155 miles

n\s step corroded

Fail 29 Mar 2022 251,155 miles

Fuel pipe leaking (6.1.3 (b) (i))

Nearside Drive shaft damaged but serviceable (6.1.7 (e))

n\s step corroded

Pass 21 Jan 2021 224,057 miles
Fail 22 Sep 2020 224,057 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Rear Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Nearside Rear Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency less than 50% of the required value (1.4.2 (a) (ii)) DANGEROUS

LPG TANK TOUCHING CHASSIS O/S

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

Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources (4.7.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Rear BRAKE HOSE TOUCHING BRAKE DISC

Pass 18 Apr 2019 201,750 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly chafed (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Brake pipe clips or supports missing, pipe adequately supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Nearside Obligatory indirect vision device slightly damaged (3.3 (b) (i))

Fail 18 Oct 2018 201,739 miles

Brake lever has insufficient reserve travel (1.1.2 (a))

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive (8.2.1.2 (b))

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

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

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

Nearside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

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

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Rear Inner Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength under floor (5.3.6 (a) (i))

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Rear Seat belt installation load spreading washer(s) missing from anchorage centre stalk (10.1 (n))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly chafed (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe inadequately clipped or supported (1.1.11 (d) (i))

Pass 6 Sep 2017 184,933 miles

Nearside Inner Ball joint has slight play Axial joint (2.2.B.1f)

Fail 6 Sep 2017 184,932 miles

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Inner Ball joint has slight play Axial joint (2.2.B.1f)

Fail 27 Jul 2017 183,812 miles

Front Power steering component(s) leaking rack (2.3.3b)

Main beam 'tell-tale' not working (1.7.4c)

Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

Nearside Front Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded tie bar (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

Offside Front Passenger's seat insecure (6.2.A.1)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

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

Pass 19 Jul 2016 175,468 miles

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror obscured but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Nearside Rear Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit inner edge close to ply cords (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Fail 11 Jul 2016 175,467 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

Nearside Front Power steering ram(s) leaking from a failed joint (2.3.3b)

Nearside Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

Offside Front Power steering ram(s) leaking from a failed component (2.3.3b)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid both fronts (8.2.3)

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror obscured but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Nearside Rear Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit inner edge close to ply cords (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Seat belt stitching slightly frayed (5.2.2b)

Pass 25 Mar 2015 170,339 miles

Non obligatory mirror damaged

Fail 13 Mar 2015 170,338 miles

Centre Rear Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

Front Brake pipe inadequately clipped (3.6.B.1)

Front Power steering component(s) leaking (2.3.3b)

Nearside Brake cable insecure (3.5.1d)

Nearside Front Fuel pipe insecure (7.2.1)

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

Nearside Rear Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

Offside Brake cable insecure (3.5.1d)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

Offside Rear Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) fouling other parts of the vehicle (2.3.2)

Offside Rear Statutory seat belt missing (5.1.1)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Non obligatory mirror damaged

air box pipe fouling manifold off side rear

Pass 25 Oct 2013 155,870 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Rear Brake hose has slight corrosion to ferrules (3.6.B.4e)

Pass 24 Sep 2012 146,272 miles
Fail 18 Sep 2012 146,272 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam (1.7.5a)

Nearside front brake juddering severely (3.7.A.2b)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint dust cover excessively deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.4.G.2)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside (1.8)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Offside front brake juddering severely (3.7.A.2b)

Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

Pass 10 Aug 2011 131,649 miles
Fail 10 Aug 2011 131,648 miles

Nearside Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

Offside Front Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users (1.8.A.1a)

Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Pass 22 Jul 2009 113,099 miles
Fail 17 Jul 2009 113,069 miles

Brake performance not tested (3.7.A.1)

Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Front Brake hose bulging under pressure (3.6.B.3)

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

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Nearside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

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

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe leaking (3.6.A.1)

Offside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

Offside Rear Vehicle structure excessively corroded within 30cm of towbar mounting (6.6.6)

Offside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Service brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Pass 12 Jul 2008 98,472 miles

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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£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

D185 VSW is a 1987 Volkswagen Caravelle in Maroon with a 1,968cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.7%.

Across all 1987 Volkswagen Caravelle models, the average MOT pass rate is 70.1% with a typical mileage of 99,479 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 D185 VSW, 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 39 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 D185 VSW?

You can check the full history of D185 VSW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was D185 VSW registered?

D185 VSW is a 1987 Volkswagen Caravelle, first registered on 20 July 1987.

Is D185 VSW safe to buy?

The MOT history for D185 VSW shows 26 tests with a 57.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does D185 VSW 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 D185 VSW. 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.