Is the Volkswagen Caravelle reliable?

The Volkswagen Caravelle has an average MOT pass rate of 75% across 32 years, based on 33,753 tests in 2026. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2019 with a 88% pass rate.

Which year Volkswagen Caravelle is best?

The 2019 Volkswagen Caravelle has the highest MOT pass rate at 88%, while the 1994 model has the lowest at 63%. There's a 25 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Volkswagen Caravelle

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 32 years from 33,753 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

75%

Total Tests

33,753

Best Year

2019 (88%)

Years Covered

About the Volkswagen Caravelle

The Volkswagen Caravelle has been tested 33,753 times in 2026 MOT data across 32 model years (1990 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 75%. That's 7 points below the national average of 82%, so check the year-by-year data carefully before buying. Available as diesel and petrol.

Best and Worst Years

The 2019 model is the most reliable with a 88% pass rate from 1,343 tests. The 1994 model has the lowest at 63%. With a 25 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLEs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 12 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1990) averages 152,768 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 28,714 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Volkswagen brand average of 85%, the Caravelle is 10 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Volkswagen models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1968cc)

£1,037

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,637

Per month£136/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2021 details

How reliable is the Volkswagen Caravelle?

vs national average-7% (82% avg)

vs Volkswagen brand average-10% (85% avg)

Best to worst year spread25 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Volkswagen Caravelle by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	86%	63	28,714 mi
2020	88%	355	35,274 mi
2019	88%	1,343	45,103 mi
2018	85%	1,384	54,248 mi
2017	86%	1,742	72,727 mi
2016	84%	2,082	78,636 mi
2015	80%	1,450	91,012 mi
2014	81%	1,242	85,066 mi
2013	82%	1,414	92,484 mi
2012	82%	1,670	119,975 mi
2011	81%	1,238	114,341 mi
2010	78%	1,366	121,801 mi
2009	73%	848	121,913 mi
2008	74%	1,188	147,628 mi
2007	75%	1,290	150,161 mi
2006	73%	1,224	166,290 mi
2005	73%	1,381	171,325 mi
2004	72%	972	174,011 mi
2003	70%	1,163	194,795 mi
2002	73%	1,252	197,021 mi
2001	72%	1,144	194,846 mi
2000	72%	1,054	193,142 mi
1999	69%	1,275	203,966 mi
1998	70%	1,438	189,576 mi
1997	69%	1,361	174,949 mi
1996	64%	997	192,626 mi
1995	65%	748	190,097 mi
1994	63%	443	183,071 mi
1993	67%	168	159,178 mi
1992	68%	115	175,500 mi
1991	73%	145	149,049 mi
1990	71%	198	152,768 mi