2006 Volkswagen Caravelle: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle than on all cars registered in 2006.

• Number plate lights2.6× usual
  Volkswagen Caravelle

  21.6% All 2006 cars

  8.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.4%, against 2.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

• Shock absorbers1.7× usual
  Volkswagen Caravelle

  12.9% All 2006 cars

  7.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.9% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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 cover2.1× usual
  Volkswagen Caravelle

  9.8% All 2006 cars

  4.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.9% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Diesel smoke emissions4.4× usual
  Volkswagen Caravelle

  4% All 2006 cars

  0.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 0.8% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints3.1× usual
  Volkswagen Caravelle

  3.7% All 2006 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£280 (pair of drop links) Checkatrade

  At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Common 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  46% 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
  43% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  41% 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.

• Tyres
  27% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  13% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  12% 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.

Known faults on the 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle

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 recalls

  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)

• Blocked EGR valve

  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

  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)

  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

  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)

• False sliding door warning

  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)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 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. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?