Used car guide · 1990–2022

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 49,716 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

49,716MOTs done in 2023–2025, 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).

202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999199819971996199519941993199219911990

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, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Diesel

  • Steering rack inner joints

    up to 5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002.

    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.

  • Steering rack

    up to 4.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1998, 1999, 2001 and 2002.

    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.

  • Track rod ends

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Rigid brake pipes

    up to 2.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1999.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

  • Ball joint dust cover

    up to 4.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1994, 1995 and 2002.

    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.

  • Body structure rust or damage

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1995, 1997 and 2001.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath and along the sills for flaky rust or fresh underseal hiding it.

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, 7 points above all 2012 cars) and the 2021 did worst (83%, 4 points below all 2021 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% -1190 (small sample)
202183%87% -41,020
202084%87% -32,018
201981%85% -42,447
201879%83% -41,987
201777%80% -32,897
201674%77% -33,025
201572%74% -22,131
201472%70% +21,848
201372%67% +52,080
201271%64% +72,409
201168%62% +61,959
201064%60% +41,788
200959%59% +01,190
200856%57% -11,663
200754%57% -31,723
200654%56% -21,753
200554%57% -31,970
200455%57% -21,497
200354%57% -31,697
200257%58% -12,094
200158%60% -21,914
200055%61% -61,606
199957%63% -61,216
199855%65% -101,202
199755%65% -101,182
199651%66% -15847
199552%67% -15919
199451%67% -16648
199355%68% -13236 (small sample)
199255%69% -14182 (small sample)
199162%71% -9168 (small sample)
199062%72% -10210 (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 2.6× as often on the Volkswagen Caravelle as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.2× as often on the Volkswagen Caravelle as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× 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 2023–2025, 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