2009 Volkswagen Caravelle: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Volkswagen Caravelles, from 401 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: only 401 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Volkswagen Caravelles than on all cars registered in 2009.
- Ball joint dust cover3.3× usualVolkswagen Caravelle14.7% All 2009 cars4.4%
Failed outright at MOT: 6.7%, against 1.8% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
- Number plate lights2.1× usualVolkswagen Caravelle18.7% All 2009 cars8.8%
Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 2.4% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £5–£40 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.
By area
The share of 2009 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension48% 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.
- Lights and electrics37% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Tyres31% 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.
- Brakes26% 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.
- Oil and fluid leaks11% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors9% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Known faults
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- Fire-risk and handbrake recallsAll engines
Recalls covered a fuel pipe and fuel pump cover bolts that could cause a fire, a handbrake that could release by itself (over 8,000 vans), a steering rack that could come loose, second-row seat backrests and cooling fan wiring.
At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.
- Blocked EGR valveDiesel
A blocked EGR valve causes stalling, judder and hunting revs. The fix is a new EGR valve and cooler.
At the viewing: Let it idle and listen for uneven revs, and check for warning lights.
- Oil leak between engine and gearboxAll engines
Badly threaded flywheel bolt holes can let oil leak where the engine meets the gearbox. Fixing it means taking the gearbox off.
At the viewing: Look under the van between the engine and gearbox for oil.
- Hard starting (camshaft sensor)All engines
A failing camshaft position sensor can make it hard to start.
At the viewing: Start it from cold.
- Exhaust whistle or fumes in the cabDiesel
A failed exhaust manifold gasket causes a whistle and can let fumes into the cab.
At the viewing: Listen for a whistle under load and sniff for fumes.
- False sliding door warningAll engines
The door switch can be out of adjustment, so the van thinks the sliding door is open.
At the viewing: Shut all doors and make sure no warning shows.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 178 | Tyres 23% |
| 2021 | 528 | Tyres 26% |
| 2020 | 694 | Tyres 22% |
| 2019 | 823 | Tyres 23% |
| 2018 | 667 | Tyres 26% |
| 2017 | 971 | Tyres 26% |
| 2016 | 1,016 | Tyres 28% |
| 2015 | 716 | Suspension 32% |
| 2014 | 622 | Tyres 27% |
| 2013 | 700 | Suspension 33% |
| 2012 | 812 | Suspension 33% |
| 2011 | 659 | Suspension 37% |
| 2010 | 598 | Suspension 41% |
| 2008 | 545 | Suspension 46% |
| 2007 | 564 | Suspension 45% |
| 2006 | 564 | Suspension 47% |
| 2005 | 645 | Suspension 51% |
| 2004 | 479 | Suspension 55% |
| 2003 | 546 | Brakes 48% |
| 2002 | 684 | Brakes 47% |
| 2001 | 627 | Brakes 46% |
| 2000 | 498 | Brakes 47% |
| 1999 | 396 | Brakes 48% |
| 1998 | 368 | Suspension 46% |
| 1997 | 375 | Brakes 45% |
| 1996 | 260 | Brakes 48% |
| 1995 | 300 | Brakes 45% |
| 1994 | 197 | Suspension 47% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Volkswagen Caravelles registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score