CarCostCheck

VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN (2003)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 31 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,195

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

71%

Average

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2460cc Diesel

Check Carefully

71% pass rate, £2195/year to run. 11 points below average.

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Diesel2460cc23 years old31 tests92k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2460cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245
Road Tax

Based on 2460cc

£395
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500
Total per year£2,195
Per month£183/mo
Per week£42/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

71% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 11 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLKSWAGEN brand average of 85%.

At 23 years old, 71% of VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVANs from 2003 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 31 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 92,102 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2003 cars284th of 445(top 64%)
Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models999th of 1,118(top 89%)
vs national average-11%(82% avg)
vs 2003 cars average-1%(72% avg)
vs VOLKSWAGEN average-14%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

92,102

Average miles

vs

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2003 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN has 92,102 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-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 2020 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 2009 model has the lowest at 61%. The 2003 sits between the two at 71%.

VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
202188%3443,771 mi
202092%5057,418 mi
201875%3660,042 mi
201582%6275,152 mi
201489%6558,982 mi
201379%6784,526 mi
201280%6968,962 mi
201183%53110,522 mi
201091%7566,457 mi
200961%5776,161 mi
200870%5099,261 mi
200776%7087,633 mi
200669%4994,388 mi
200580%4593,415 mi
200459%39122,764 mi
200371%3192,102 mi
199891%3593,564 mi
199465%31145,391 mi
199266%32155,045 mi
199166%94129,598 mi
199068%114129,260 mi

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About the 2003 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN

The 2003 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN is a large car with a 2460cc diesel engine. 31 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2003, the average MOT pass rate is 72%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 92,102 miles at 23 years old, VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2003 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN Fuel Costs

The 2460cc 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 2003 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,195 183/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 71% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 2003 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN

At 23 years old, the VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN 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 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 92%. Note: with only 31 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2003 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN'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

Medium risk

With an average of 92k 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.

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 2003 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN(2003)71%£1245£395Grp 25-38£2195
BMW 3 SERIES(2005)78%£1245£250Grp 30-42£2050-£145
HONDA CIVIC(2005)73%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£145
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(2005)72%£1245£250Grp 25-38£2050-£145
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY(2005)78%£1245£250Grp 30-42£2050-£145

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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