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R491 VHE

1997 Volkswagen Caravelle

Blue Diesel 2459cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires9 Feb 2026
Tests31 (19 pass, 12 fail)
Pass rate61.3%

Mileage

Typical for 1997 Volkswagen Caravelle141,911 mi
4 checks still locked for this Volkswagen
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Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationR491 VHE
MakeVolkswagen
ModelCaravelle
Year1997
ColourBlue
Fuel typeDiesel
Engine2,459cc

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

19 pass 12 fail
Pass 31 Jan 2025

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Outer and inner sill corroded and starting to hole, but outside outrigger, structure unaffected (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Fail 30 Jan 2025

Brake cable damaged Handbrake cable corroded and snapped, unable to carry out handbrake test (1.1.15 (a))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Lower arm ball joint boot split around base (5.3.4 (b) (ii))

Offside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Boot split on inner (6.1.7 (g) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Items removed from driver's view prior to test ()

Offside Front Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Outer and inner sill corroded and starting to hole, but outside outrigger, structure unaffected (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Both tie rod ball joints slight play ()

Pass 31 Jan 2024 225,150 miles

Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases from cat section (6.1.2 (a))

Pass 6 Feb 2023 218,071 miles

Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) both have slight play ()

Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) both have slight play ()

Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both front tyres on 2mm (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 6 Feb 2023 218,070 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) both have slight play ()

Front Play in steering rack inner joint(s) both have slight play ()

Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge both front tyres on 2mm (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 10 Feb 2022 207,159 miles

corrosion to some parts out of prescribed area

under vehicle has been heavily wax oiled hard to inspect on test

Fail 9 Feb 2022 207,154 miles

Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively both (3.4 (b) (ii))

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

Service brake efficiency below requirements (1.2.2 (a) (i))

corrosion to some parts out of prescribed area

under vehicle has been heavily wax oiled hard to inspect on test

Pass 18 Mar 2021

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

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

Offside Front Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (6.1.7 (g) (i))

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

Pass 12 Mar 2020

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

Fail 5 Mar 2020

Offside Front Integral body structure or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

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

Pass 9 Mar 2019 195,955 miles

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

Fail 4 Mar 2019 195,955 miles

Brake performance not tested (1.2.1 (g))

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

Offside Rear Cab or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a cab mounting (6.2.2 (d) (i))

Offside Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

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

Offside Front Brake pipe leaking on a hydraulic braking system (1.1.11 (b) (ii)) DANGEROUS

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

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

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

Pass 28 Mar 2018 181,432 miles

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Front Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Front Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive shock mount (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)

Oil leak ()

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Fail 23 Mar 2018 181,431 miles

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

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

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

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

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Rear Brakes imbalanced across an axle Axle 2 (3.7.B.5b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

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

Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

Nearside Front Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Front Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)

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

Nearside Rear Outer Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)

Nearside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive shock mount (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Inner Suspension component mounting prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive sill (2.4.A.3)

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

Oil leak ()

Rear brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 23 Mar 2017 177,877 miles

Oil leak ()

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

both front brake hoses deteriorated

both sills corroded

Fail 22 Mar 2017 177,877 miles

Nearside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Offside Front Subframe mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (2.4.A.3)

Oil leak ()

Play in steering rack inner joint(s) ()

both front brake hoses deteriorated

both sills corroded

Pass 24 Mar 2016

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

slight play in inner track rod ball joints

Pass 22 May 2015 159,459 miles

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

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

bare wire in engine bay on the n/s

both rear tyres slightly perished

front crash bar behind bumper corroded

n/s/f tyre worn on inner and outer edges

Fail 15 May 2015 159,454 miles

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases (7.1.2)

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

Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

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

Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour (1.4.A.2f)

Front Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

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

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

bare wire in engine bay on the n/s

both rear tyres slightly perished

front crash bar behind bumper corroded

n/s/f tyre worn on inner and outer edges

Pass 27 May 2014 154,710 miles

Nail in nearside rear tyre.

Nearside front and rear tyres wearing on edges.

Pass 6 Jun 2013 154,251 miles

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

Exhaust Corroded

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

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

Fail 5 Jun 2013 154,251 miles

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

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

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

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

Exhaust Corroded

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

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

Pass 2 Jun 2012 142,433 miles

exhaust poor

Fail 17 May 2011

Offside Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

o/s wiper blade slightly deteriorated

Pass 17 May 2011

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

o/s wiper blade slightly deteriorated

Pass 8 Jun 2010 120,465 miles

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

Pass 5 Jun 2009 107,693 miles
Fail 2 Jun 2009 107,691 miles

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

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

rear brake application uneven (3.7.B.2)

Pass 23 May 2008 97,048 miles
Pass 24 May 2007 87,208 miles
Fail 23 May 2007 87,208 miles

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Nearside Stop lamp excessively damaged so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.2.1d)

Rear Brake hose ferrule excessively corroded (3.6.B.4e)

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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R491 VHE is a 1997 Volkswagen Caravelle in Blue with a 2,459cc diesel engine. This vehicle has been through 31 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 61.3%.

Across all 1997 Volkswagen Caravelle models, the average MOT pass rate is 66.1% with a typical mileage of 141,911 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 R491 VHE, 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 29 years old, this Volkswagen Caravelle is well into its expected lifespan but still has years ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of R491 VHE?

You can check the full history of R491 VHE by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was R491 VHE registered?

R491 VHE is a 1997 Volkswagen Caravelle, first registered on 17 November 1997.

Is R491 VHE safe to buy?

The MOT history for R491 VHE shows 31 tests with a 61.3% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does R491 VHE 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 R491 VHE. 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.