Used car guide

2003 Volkswagen Caravelle: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2003 Volkswagen Caravelles, from 546 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

546MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2003 cars: 59%)
8,500typical miles a year
4.3×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2003 Volkswagen Caravelles than on all cars registered in 2003.

  • Steering rack inner joints4.3× usual
    Volkswagen Caravelle
    15% All 2003 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Flexible brake hoses2.2× usual
    Volkswagen Caravelle
    13% All 2003 cars
    6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.1% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Steering rack4× usual
    Volkswagen Caravelle
    6.8% All 2003 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 0.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Headlights: 3.7% here, against 12.1% of all 2003 cars.

By area

The share of 2003 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    48% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    37% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    28% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    23% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Steering
    18% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021528Tyres 26%
2020694Tyres 22%
2019823Tyres 23%
2018667Tyres 26%
2017971Tyres 26%
20161,016Suspension 28%
2015716Suspension 32%
2014622Suspension 27%
2013700Suspension 33%
2012812Suspension 33%
2011659Suspension 37%
2010598Suspension 41%
2008545Suspension 46%
2007564Suspension 45%
2006564Suspension 47%
2005645Suspension 51%
2002684Brakes 47%
2001627Brakes 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2003 Volkswagen Caravelles registered in 2003. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score