2006 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 55.0% of Volkswagen Caravelles first used in 2006 passed their MOT first time, against 57.0% for all cars first used in 2006. Across 1,774 Caravelle first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and brakes.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Volkswagen Caravelles first used in 2006 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.

Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026

Passed first time, 2025
55.0%
of 560 first tests; all cars first used in 2006: 57.0%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
1,774
first tests, 2023–2025; 560 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
21.2%
of 560 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
163,000
middle half: 125,500–205,500 miles; all cars first used in 2006: 106,500

How the 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Caravelles first used in 2006 against all cars first used in 2006 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Caravelle figure was in line with the all-cars figure.

2006 CaravelleAll cars first used in 2006
50%60%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2006, test year 2021: 55.5%All cars first used in 2006, test year 2022: 56%All cars first used in 2006, test year 2023: 56.2%All cars first used in 2006, test year 2024: 56.1%All cars first used in 2006, test year 2025: 57%2006 Caravelle, test year 2021: 53.6%2006 Caravelle, test year 2022: 52%2006 Caravelle, test year 2023: 54.6%2006 Caravelle, test year 2024: 54%2006 Caravelle, test year 2025: 55%57%55%
View this chart as a table
Test year2006 CaravelleAll cars first used 2006Caravelle first tests
202153.6%55.5%631
202252.0%56.0%635
202354.6%56.2%614
202454.0%56.1%600
202555.0%57.0%560

Common 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT failures

Share of the 807 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment53.2%
Suspension41.9%
Brakes32.3%
Body, chassis, structure15.9%
Visibility15.0%
Noise, emissions and leaks14.1%
Tyres12.3%
Steering5.7%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Position lamp: not working13.4%108
Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps10.5%85
Parking brake efficiency (sp): efficiency below requirements10.4%84
Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect10.4%84
Stop lamp: not working8.7%70

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
  3. Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.

Common 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2006 Caravelles, as a share of all 1,774 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material17.1%303
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge15.2%270
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive10.2%181
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened8.9%158
Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement7.3%130

Questions about the 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle?

In 2025, 55.0% of Caravelles first used in 2006 passed their MOT first time, against 57.0% for all cars first used in 2006. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2006 Caravelle most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 53.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (41.9%) and brakes (32.3%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (13.4%).

How often does a 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle fail its MOT?

In 2025, 45.0% of first tests on Caravelles first used in 2006 did not pass first time: 38.4% failed, and a further 6.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 807 of 1,774 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT advisories?

“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 17.1% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (15.2%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (10.2%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (8.9%) and “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (7.3%).

Is a 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle reliable?

An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 53.6% in 2021 to 55.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2006

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2006 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2006 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2006 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2006 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics · 2006 MINI Hatch MOT statistics

How the 2006 Volkswagen Caravelle MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2006 Caravelle” means a Volkswagen Caravelle whose date of first use falls in 2006 (55, 06 and 56 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2006, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.