Used car guide

1995 Volkswagen Caravelle petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Volkswagen Caravelle first registered in 1995 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 167 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 167 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

167MOTs of 1995 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
50%pass first time (all 1995 cars: 67%)
5,000typical miles a year
38%had brakes flagged

Common 1995 Volkswagen Caravelle petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1995 Volkswagen Caravelle petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Brakes
    38% 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
    35% 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
    32% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    26% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    19% 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.

  • Steering
    19% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1995 Volkswagen Caravelle petrol

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

  1. 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, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Volkswagen Caravelle compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2022190Tyres 22%
20211,020Tyres 25%
20202,018Tyres 21%
20192,447Tyres 26%
20181,987Tyres 27%
20172,897Tyres 26%
20163,025Tyres 28%
20152,131Tyres 31%
20141,848Tyres 29%
20132,080Suspension 31%
20122,409Suspension 30%
20111,959Suspension 34%
20101,788Suspension 41%
20091,190Suspension 44%
20081,663Suspension 46%
20071,723Suspension 46%
20061,753Suspension 46%
20051,970Suspension 50%
20041,497Suspension 51%
20031,697Brakes 47%
20022,094Brakes 46%
20011,914Suspension 47%
20001,606Brakes 47%
19991,216Brakes 48%
19981,202Brakes 46%
19971,182Brakes 45%
1996847Brakes 48%
1994648Brakes 46%
1993236Brakes 39%
1992182Brakes 43%
1991168Brakes 39%
1990210Lights and electrics 44%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Volkswagen Caravelle cars first registered in 1995. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score