Model reliability

Volkswagen Caravelle reliability

The Volkswagen Caravelle fails its MOT about as often as most cars over 10 years old: 41.4% of 12,661 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.

Up to 5 years old

16.5% failed their MOT

Worse than most

From 1,525 MOT tests of Volkswagen Caravelles this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 8× as oftenSprings2.4% vs 0.3%Fix about £150

Fails 75% more oftenExhaust emissions1.4% vs 0.8%Fix about £150

Fails 6× as oftenShock absorbers1.2% vs 0.2%Fix about £200

Fails 3× as oftenSuspension arms1% vs 0.3%

Advised 34% more oftenTyre tread depth19% vs 14.2%Fix about £90

6 to 10 years old

24.5% failed their MOT

About average

From 4,047 MOT tests of Volkswagen Caravelles this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 88% more oftenSprings4.5% vs 2.4%Fix about £150

Fails 2× as oftenShock absorbers1.7% vs 0.8%Fix about £200

Fails 40% more oftenAnti-roll bars1.4% vs 1%

Fails 4× as oftenABS / EBS / ESC1.2% vs 0.3%

Advised 74% more oftenSuspension arms9.2% vs 5.3%

Advised 33% more oftenShock absorbers4% vs 3%Fix about £200

Advised 90% more oftenCondition of glass4% vs 2.1%

Over 10 years old

41.4% failed their MOT

About average

From 12,661 MOT tests of Volkswagen Caravelles this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 43% more oftenBrake performance8.3% vs 5.8%

Fails 3× as oftenComponent mounting prescribed areas3.8% vs 1.4%

Fails 4× as oftenElectrical equipment2.9% vs 0.8%

Fails 59% more oftenRigid brake pipes2.7% vs 1.7%Fix about £120

Advised 77% more oftenRigid brake pipes14.7% vs 8.3%Fix about £120

Advised 41% more oftenFluid leaks14.2% vs 10.1%

Advised 83% more oftenRegistration plate lamp(s)9.5% vs 5.2%Fix about £30

Advised 3× as oftenFlexible brake hoses6.7% vs 2.6%Fix about £120

Safety recalls

4 DVSA recalls for the Volkswagen Caravelle

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/1994/0321 Sept 1994Built 1991–1993Loosening of steering u/j clamping bolt

The steering shaft top universal clamping bolt may loosen .This will allow free movement in the steering and if not rectified could lead to loss of steering control.

Fix: Recall the affected vehicles and replace the steering shaft top universal clamping bolt and nut with new components.

Recalled models: CARAVELLE · 4,813 vehicles

R/1993/01010 May 1993Built 1990–1992Inadvertent release of handbrake

The pawl spring fitted as original equipment to the parking brake may be insufficiently long and consequently fail to exert enough pressure to ensure that the pawl engages positively in the ratchet teeth. This could allow the parking brake to release

Fix: Recall the affected vehicles and replace the original pawl spring with a longer version.

Recalled models: CARAVELLE · 3,918 vehicles

R/1993/01126 Apr 1993Built 1990–1992Steering shaft clamping bolts may loosen

The clamp bolt on one of three steering column universal couplings may not have been fully tightened on initial assembly. Should this bolt loosen it could allow excess free movement in the steering and if not rectified loss of steering control.

Fix: Recall the affected vehicles check the torque of the subject bolt and where necessary re-tighten it to the manufacturers specifications. Where a clamp bolt is found to be below the specified torque the splines on the shaft will be examined for

Recalled models: CARAVELLE · 74 vehicles

R/1992/03227 Jun 1992Built 1990–1992Steering rack and lower wishbone fastenings and chafing of the light switch harness

b) The light switch harness may chafe on the dash support with a consequent fire risk. Note that the scope of the defect will depend upon the particular chassis number of the vehicle.

Fix: Recall the affected vehicles and b) Secure the light switch harness and protect it by fitting beading to the edge of the dash support.

Recalled models: CARAVELLE · 3,066 vehicles

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Volkswagen Caravelle before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Volkswagen Caravelle reliability

4 DVSA recalls for the Volkswagen Caravelle

Checking a Volkswagen Caravelle before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.