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VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 873 MOT tests from 51 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE has the same fault.

VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 558/999. The score was calculated from the average of every VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE.

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Check a Volkswagen Caravelle before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Volkswagen Caravelle side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A679/999Good135,952 miles669 vehicles
N/AN/A632/999Good145,393 miles721 vehicles
N/AN/A561/999Above average122,619 miles615 vehicles
N/AN/A465/999Average103,406 miles723 vehicles
N/AN/A451/999Average102,393 miles1,236 vehicles

How reliable is the VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE?

Based on 873 MOT tests from 51 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

51

MOT tests

873

Pass rate

72.5%

Median mileage

122,674 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 516 out of 999.

Common VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 81 advisory comments and 5 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 30 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 10 advisory comments and 5 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Parking brake faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 15 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a parking brake that did not hold well enough or had a component defect.

What to inspect

Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

Example MOT wording: PARKING BRAKE: EFFICIENCY BELOW REQUIREMENTS (3.7.B.7)

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 14 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 13 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER HAS A LIGHT MISTING OF OIL (2.7.3)

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 12 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR BRAKE PIPE CORRODED, COVERED IN GREASE OR OTHER MATERIAL (1.1.11 (C))

Exhaust

VehicleScore MOT data includes 12 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record exhaust leaks, insecurity, or other exhaust defects found at inspection.

What to inspect

Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST HAS A MAJOR LEAK OF EXHAUST GASES (7.1.2)

VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Not enough VehicleScore data for year-by-year conclusions.

What to check when buying a used VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Parking brake faults. Test that the parking brake holds the car on a slope and releases cleanly.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

  • Exhaust. Listen for blowing from the exhaust and look for corrosion or loose mounts.

Buying a VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE?

Common problems tell you what can affect VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLEs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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