Used car guide

2018 Volkswagen Caravelle: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Volkswagen Caravelles, from 667 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

667MOT tests in 2025
77%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
8,600typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Volkswagen Caravelles than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.4× usual
    Volkswagen Caravelle
    7.6% All 2018 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.5% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Coil springs3.4× usual
    Volkswagen Caravelle
    5.7% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 1.3% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

By area

The share of 2018 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    26% 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.

  • Brakes
    20% 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.

  • Suspension
    19% 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 electrics
    9% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    3% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Volkswagen Caravelle?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021528Tyres 26%
2020694Tyres 22%
2019823Tyres 23%
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%
2003546Suspension 48%
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 2018 Volkswagen Caravelles registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score