How much does a 1997 VOLKSWAGEN CADDY cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,887 (£157/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 VOLKSWAGEN CADDY?

The 1997 VOLKSWAGEN CADDY has a 72% MOT pass rate based on 90 tests in 2026. This ranks 212 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year VOLKSWAGEN CADDY is most reliable?

The 2021 VOLKSWAGEN CADDY has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%. The least reliable year is 2001 at 64%.

VOLKSWAGEN CADDY (1997)

Q: Is the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN CADDY reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 72% of VOLKSWAGEN CADDYs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 90 tests. That's 10 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 VOLKSWAGEN CADDY?

The average mileage for a 1997 VOLKSWAGEN CADDY is 121,741 miles, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 90 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,887

£157/month

MOT Pass Rate

72%

Average

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1390cc Petrol

Check Carefully

72% pass rate, £1887/year to run. 10 points below average.

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Petrol1390cc29 years old90 tests122k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1390cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1390cc

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£1,887

Per month£157/mo

Per week£36/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

72% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLKSWAGEN brand average of 85%.

At 29 years old, 72% of VOLKSWAGEN CADDYs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 90 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 121,741 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars212th of 320(top 66%)

Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models977th of 1,118(top 87%)

vs national average-10%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average-3%(75% avg)

vs VOLKSWAGEN average-13%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

121,741

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 VOLKSWAGEN CADDY has 121,741 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 89% MOT pass rate, while the 2001 model has the lowest at 64%. The 1997 sits between the two at 72%.

VOLKSWAGEN CADDY by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	89%	1,931	27,508 mi
2020	88%	13,202	53,906 mi
2019	87%	18,573	63,050 mi
2018	87%	19,106	75,449 mi
2017	84%	21,344	81,861 mi
2016	82%	24,550	93,514 mi
2015	81%	22,659	99,855 mi
2014	80%	23,277	114,550 mi
2013	80%	24,686	120,918 mi
2012	79%	19,331	136,051 mi
2011	78%	25,166	135,711 mi
2010	75%	17,547	147,995 mi
2009	76%	13,027	149,844 mi
2008	77%	11,139	161,130 mi
2007	75%	9,178	159,205 mi
2006	75%	6,102	164,468 mi
2005	74%	4,454	166,551 mi
2004	74%	2,512	172,117 mi
2003	70%	573	142,939 mi
2002	72%	501	144,373 mi
2001	64%	291	134,932 mi
2000	69%	372	120,625 mi
1999	72%	484	117,159 mi
1998	67%	210	110,923 mi
1997	72%	90	121,741 mi
1992	80%	181	94,923 mi
1991	75%	166	125,877 mi
1990	74%	212	138,662 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+1%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

-1%

VAUXHALL CORSA

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,390/year

89%

+17%

NISSAN MICRA

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

70%

-2%

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About the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN CADDY

The 1997 VOLKSWAGEN CADDY is a small family car with a 1390cc petrol engine. 90 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1997, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 121,741 miles at 29 years old, VOLKSWAGEN CADDY owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1997 VOLKSWAGEN CADDY Fuel Costs

The 1390cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 VOLKSWAGEN CADDY?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,887 (£157/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 72% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VOLKSWAGEN CADDY Reliability Trend

Newer VOLKSWAGEN CADDYs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 VOLKSWAGEN CADDY

At 29 years old, the VOLKSWAGEN CADDY is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 89%. Note: with only 90 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN CADDY's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 122k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 VOLKSWAGEN CADDY stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
VOLKSWAGEN CADDY(1997)	72%	£1137	£195	Grp 8-20	£1887
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£60
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017+£130
VAUXHALL CORSA(1999)	89%	£955	£30	Grp 5-15	£1390-£497
NISSAN MICRA(1999)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£165

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.