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VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN (2012)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 69 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,707

£142/month

MOT Pass Rate

80%

Good

Road Tax

£265

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1968cc Diesel

Solid Option

80% pass rate, £1707/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel1968cc14 years old69 tests69k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1968cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037
Road Tax

Based on 1968cc

£265
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£350
Total per year£1,707
Per month£142/mo
Per week£33/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

80% MOT pass rate(Good)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the VOLKSWAGEN brand average of 85%.

At 14 years old, 80% of VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVANs from 2012 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 69 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 68,962 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 cars408th of 685(top 60%)
Rank among VOLKSWAGEN models775th of 1,118(top 69%)
vs national average-2%(82% avg)
vs 2012 cars average+2%(78% avg)
vs VOLKSWAGEN average-5%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

68,962

Average miles

vs

103,600

Expected for age

The average 2012 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN has 68,962 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 103,600 miles for a 14-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 2012 sits between the two at 80%.

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 2012 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN

The 2012 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN is a family car with a 1968cc diesel engine. 69 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 68,962 miles at 14 years old, VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN Fuel Costs

The 1968cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 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 2012 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,707 142/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £265 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 80% 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 2012 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN

At 14 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 69 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2012 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.

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.

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 2012 VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
VOLKSWAGEN MOTOR CARAVAN(2012)80%£1037£265Grp 18-32£1707
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2014)87%£905£135Grp 12-25£1445-£262
VAUXHALL ASTRA(2013)79%£1037£135Grp 18-32£1727+£20
AUDI A3(2014)86%£905£135Grp 12-25£1445-£262
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2010)74%£905£135Grp 12-25£1595-£112

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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