Volkswagen Caddy: what fails at MOT
215,000 MOT tests on the Volkswagen Caddy in 2024, counted. 28.8% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
28.8% of Volkswagen Caddy tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 26.6%, so the Caddy is about average for its age.
It fails most often on suspension (7.9% of tests), lights and electrics (6.5% of tests) and tyres (4.9% of tests). It fails on suspension, wipers, washers and windscreen and exhaust and emissions more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,727 | 15.4% | 10.9% | 36,100 22,100 to 54,200 |
| 2020 | 11,499 | 18.1% | 11.5% | 45,200 27,700 to 68,700 |
| 2019 | 15,720 | 19.2% | 13.4% | 56,200 36,600 to 82,800 |
| 2018 | 16,297 | 19.2% | 15.6% | 68,200 45,300 to 97,700 |
| 2017 | 17,542 | 25.0% | 18.2% | 73,100 52,200 to 101,900 |
| 2016 | 19,814 | 26.9% | 21.3% | 86,600 62,800 to 115,200 |
| 2015 | 16,962 | 28.2% | 24.4% | 93,000 68,800 to 123,200 |
| 2014 | 17,255 | 30.9% | 27.7% | 109,800 83,600 to 139,400 |
| 2013 | 17,839 | 31.8% | 30.6% | 117,000 89,500 to 148,700 |
| 2012 | 14,066 | 32.5% | 33.4% | 131,900 103,900 to 163,300 |
| 2011 | 18,136 | 33.6% | 36.1% | 131,900 103,800 to 164,000 |
| 2010 | 12,155 | 39.1% | 38.6% | 145,600 115,500 to 178,200 |
| 2009 | 8,597 | 38.5% | 39.8% | 145,800 117,000 to 178,000 |
| 2008 | 7,143 | 36.0% | 41.5% | 158,500 129,100 to 189,900 |
| 2007 | 6,090 | 37.9% | 41.5% | 158,700 125,500 to 187,500 |
| 2006 | 3,936 | 39.9% | 42.4% | 165,500 134,500 to 192,400 |
| 2005 | 3,023 | 36.8% | 42.2% | 166,300 131,300 to 194,800 |
| 2004 | 1,701 | 39.8% | 42.3% | 171,900 141,800 to 204,900 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Volkswagen Caddy tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Caddy | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension More than most | 7.9% | 5.9% |
| Lights and electrics | 6.5% | 7.2% |
| Tyres | 4.9% | 4.3% |
| Brakes | 4.7% | 4.3% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen More than most | 4.1% | 2.9% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 2.8% | 2.0% |
| Body and structure | 2.3% | 2.1% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.6% | 0.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Suspension pins and bushes3.5%
- Tyre3.3%
- Washers2.5%
- Headlamp aim2.0%
- Tyre tread1.9%
- Engine warning light1.9%
- Brake pads1.7%
- Side light1.4%
- Wipers1.3%
- Brake light1.3%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.5%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.9%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.9%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.5%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.4%
- Side light: not working1.3%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.3%
- Brake light: not working1.2%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.2%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge13.8%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened7.6%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement7.4%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.3%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.5%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive4.4%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil2.0%
- Footbrake: binding but not excessively1.7%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
- “Has it ever failed on emissions or an exhaust leak, and what was done about it?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
Check a Volkswagen Caddy's own MOT record
Looking at a Caddy? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.