Volkswagen Motor Caravan MOT pass rate and common problems
72.3% of 2,522 Volkswagen Motor Caravan MOT tests pass.
The Motor Caravan passes 72.3% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Volkswagen models (79.0%).
The Volkswagen Motor Caravan passes 72.3% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Volkswagen Motor Caravan?
This is the average across every Volkswagen Motor Caravan in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Volkswagen’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate drops sharply with age: the Volkswagen Motor Caravan tested at 3–6 years pass 91.2% of the time, compared with just 69.7% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (13) | 13 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 91.2% | 102 | 57,571 miles |
| 6–10 years | 84.4% | 135 | 67,106 miles |
| 10–15 years | 76.7% | 275 | 78,775 miles |
| 15+ years | 69.7% | 1,997 | 80,475 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volkswagen Motor Caravan
The most common reason the Volkswagen Motor Caravan fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 72.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 72.7% | Not working |
| Brakes | 63.3% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Body, chassis, structure | 34.6% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Suspension | 34.0% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Visibility | 30.9% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 17.0% | Emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |
| Steering | 16.0% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Tyres | 11.7% | Has ply or cords exposed |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 6.3% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.9% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Volkswagen Motor Caravan: what to check
These checks follow the Volkswagen Motor Caravan’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Volkswagen Motor Caravan comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 84.4% to 76.7%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 74.1% down to 65.3%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 72.7% of failed Volkswagen Motor Caravan MOTs. 26.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 5.9% at 3–6 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 63.3% of failed Volkswagen Motor Caravan MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 23.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 34.6% of failed Volkswagen Motor Caravan MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 13.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
4. Suspension
Recorded in 34.0% of failed Volkswagen Motor Caravan MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 12.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 30.9% of failed Volkswagen Motor Caravan MOTs. 11.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.0% at 3–6 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Volkswagen service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Volkswagen models
- Volkswagen Corrado — 79.1% pass rate
- Volkswagen T-Roc R — 95.1% pass rate
- Volkswagen Camper — 67.4% pass rate
- Volkswagen E-Up — 94.0% pass rate
- Volkswagen California Ocean — 93.4% pass rate
- Volkswagen Multivan — 85.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Motor Caravan?
- 72.3% of Volkswagen Motor Caravan MOT tests pass, based on 2,522 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volkswagen Motor Caravan?
- The most common reason the Volkswagen Motor Caravan fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 72.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Volkswagen Motor Caravan?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volkswagen Motor Caravan are lights and electrics; brakes; bodywork and corrosion. 26.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 5.9% at 3–6 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Volkswagen Motor Caravan?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; bodywork and corrosion; suspension; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Volkswagen Motor Caravan's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Volkswagen service history guide for how to check and keep one.