Used car guide · 1994–2022

Volkswagen Caravelle common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Volkswagen Caravelle, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 16,433 MOTs done during 2025), and what to check before you buy one.

16,433MOTs done in 2025, all years of this model
10,111on the UK register
11known faults across all years
2012best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997199619951994

What usually goes wrong with a Volkswagen Caravelle?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Fire-risk and handbrake recalls

    Cars registered 2003–2015 · All 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.

    Source: Haynes: VW T5 common problems (2003-2015)

  • Fuel hose and airbag recalls

    Cars registered 2016–2022 · All engines

    A large number were recalled for faulty fuel hoses, and others for passenger airbags, tyres, child locks and door cables that could freeze.

    At the viewing: Ask a VW dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: Haynes: VW Transporter T6 common problems (2015-2024)

  • Blocked EGR valve

    Cars registered 2003–2015 · Diesel

    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.

    Source: Haynes: VW T5 common problems (2003-2015)

  • Oil leak between engine and gearbox

    Cars registered 2003–2015 · All 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.

    Source: Haynes: VW T5 common problems (2003-2015)

  • Hard starting (camshaft sensor)

    Cars registered 2003–2015 · All engines

    A failing camshaft position sensor can make it hard to start.

    At the viewing: Start it from cold.

    Source: Haynes: VW T5 common problems (2003-2015)

  • Exhaust whistle or fumes in the cab

    Cars registered 2003–2015 · Diesel

    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.

    Source: Haynes: VW T5 common problems (2003-2015)

  • Squealing auxiliary belt

    Cars registered 2016–2022 · All engines

    A failing auxiliary belt squeals, and if it breaks it can take out the power steering and air con and damage the pump and alternator pulleys.

    At the viewing: Listen at start-up and look at the belt for cracks.

    Source: Haynes: VW Transporter T6 common problems (2015-2024)

  • ABS and ESP warning lights

    Cars registered 2016–2022 · All engines

    Dirt in the wheel bearings can upset the wheel-speed sensors and bring on ABS and ESP warnings.

    At the viewing: Make sure the ABS and ESP lights go out.

    Source: Haynes: VW Transporter T6 common problems (2015-2024)

  • False sliding door warning

    Cars registered 2003–2015 · All 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.

    Source: Haynes: VW T5 common problems (2003-2015)

  • Fuel pressure sensor (2.0 TDI)

    Cars registered 2016–2022 · 2.0 TDI

    A faulty fuel pressure sensor brings on the engine and glow plug lights.

    At the viewing: Make sure there are no warning lights.

    Source: Haynes: VW Transporter T6 common problems (2015-2024)

1 more known fault

  • High-level brake light failing

    Cars registered 2016–2022 · All engines

    The high-level brake light can fail, which is an MOT fail. The only fix is a new, improved unit.

    At the viewing: Have someone check all the brake lights.

    Source: Haynes: VW Transporter T6 common problems (2015-2024)

Common Volkswagen Caravelle MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2025.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

    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 springs

    up to 11.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.

    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.

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Steering rack

    up to 4.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

    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.

Volkswagen Caravelle MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2012 Volkswagen Caravelle did best (71% passed first time, 8 points above all 2012 cars) and the 2019 did worst (78%, 6 points below all 2019 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202288%89% -1178 (small sample)
202183%87% -4528
202081%86% -5694
201978%84% -6823
201877%81% -4667
201773%78% -5971
201672%75% -31,016
201569%72% -3716
201474%69% +5622
201372%66% +6700
201271%63% +8812
201167%61% +6659
201064%59% +5598
200958%58% +0401 (small sample)
200857%57% +0545
200752%57% -5564
200655%57% -2564
200555%58% -3645
200455%58% -3479 (small sample)
200353%59% -6546
200257%60% -3684
200160%61% -1627
200055%63% -8498 (small sample)
199960%65% -5396 (small sample)
199858%66% -8368 (small sample)
199756%67% -11375 (small sample)
199652%67% -15260 (small sample)
199554%67% -13300 (small sample)
199451%69% -18197 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a Volkswagen Caravelle

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Have all the recalls been done? Can a VW dealer confirm from the VIN?
  2. Has the fuel hose recall been done? Can a VW dealer confirm from the VIN?
  3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the Volkswagen Caravelle as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the Volkswagen Caravelle as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 11.3× as often on the Volkswagen Caravelle as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Volkswagen Caravelle?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score