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VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE (1999)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,275 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,395

£200/month

MOT Pass Rate

69%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2459cc Diesel

Proceed With Caution

69% pass rate, £2395/year to run. 13 points below average.

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Diesel2459cc27 years old1,275 tests204k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2459cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 2459cc

£395
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700
Total per year£2,395
Per month£200/mo
Per week£46/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

69% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 13 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLKSWAGEN brand average of 85%.

At 27 years old, 69% of VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLEs from 1999 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,275 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 203,966 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 cars287th of 375(top 77%)
Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models1033th of 1,118(top 92%)
vs national average-13%(82% avg)
vs 1999 cars average-6%(75% avg)
vs VOLKSWAGEN average-16%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

203,966

Average miles

vs

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1999 VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE has 203,966 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2019 model with a 88% MOT pass rate, while the 1994 model has the lowest at 63%. The 1999 sits between the two at 69%.

VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202186%6328,714 mi
202088%35535,274 mi
201988%1,34345,103 mi
201885%1,38454,248 mi
201786%1,74272,727 mi
201684%2,08278,636 mi
201580%1,45091,012 mi
201481%1,24285,066 mi
201382%1,41492,484 mi
201282%1,670119,975 mi
201181%1,238114,341 mi
201078%1,366121,801 mi
200973%848121,913 mi
200874%1,188147,628 mi
200775%1,290150,161 mi
200673%1,224166,290 mi
200573%1,381171,325 mi
200472%972174,011 mi
200370%1,163194,795 mi
200273%1,252197,021 mi
200172%1,144194,846 mi
200072%1,054193,142 mi
199969%1,275203,966 mi
199870%1,438189,576 mi
199769%1,361174,949 mi
199664%997192,626 mi
199565%748190,097 mi
199463%443183,071 mi
199367%168159,178 mi
199268%115175,500 mi
199173%145149,049 mi
199071%198152,768 mi

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About the 1999 VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE

The 1999 VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE is a large car with a 2459cc diesel engine. 1,275 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 77% of 1999 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 203,966 miles at 27 years old, VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE owners drive about as much as the UK average.

1999 VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE Fuel Costs

The 2459cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 1999 VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,395 200/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 69% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 1999 VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE

At 27 years old, the VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE 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 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 88%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1999 VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

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 204k 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 69% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 1999 VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE(1999)69%£1245£395Grp 25-38£2395
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1999)70%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345
LAND ROVER DEFENDER(1997)76%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(2001)75%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£345
FIAT DUCATO(2001)73%£1245£250Grp 30-42£2050-£345

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.

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