2011 Volkswagen Caravelle: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Volkswagen Caravelle?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Volkswagen Caravelle than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Anti-roll bar bushes and joints4× usual
  Volkswagen Caravelle

  2.4% All 2011 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.1% of all 2011 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.

• Anti-lock braking system3.3× usual
  Volkswagen Caravelle

  2% All 2011 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.6% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a quiet road, brake firmly from about 30mph. The car should stop straight without pulling.

Common 2011 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  34% 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.

• Tyres
  29% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  24% 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
  22% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  11% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Driveshafts and joints
  4% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Known faults on the 2011 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 2011 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 anti-roll bar bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 4× as often on the 2011 Volkswagen Caravelle as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-lock braking system? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2011 Volkswagen Caravelle as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?