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Volkswagen Caddy reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-present3 named generationscar-derived vanMPVDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Volkswagen Caddy built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Volkswagen Caddys built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Volkswagen Caddy by number plate

Key figure

20% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Caddys built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 22% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volkswagen Caddys built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volkswagen Caddy's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Caddy's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

M

Mk5 (SK) (2021-present)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

14.2% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 9 MOTs, 11.4%)

From 3,376 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Caddy Mk4 (SA)

Mk4 (SA) (2015-2020)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

19.6% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 14,271 MOT tests at this ageView details →
M

Mk3 (2K) (2004-2014)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

27.3% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 5,928 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Volkswagen Caddy.

See every build year for the Volkswagen Caddy

Side-by-side

Volkswagen Caddy generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk5 (SK) (2021-present)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings14.2%built around 2021 (4 years old)from 3,376 MOT tests at this age
Mk4 (SA) (2015-2020)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings19.6%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 14,271 MOT tests at this age
Mk3 (2K) (2004-2014)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings27.3%built around 2013 (12 years old)from 5,928 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Caddy, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Volkswagen Caddy fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volkswagen Caddy ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
5,81714.6%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
6,53114.4%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
9,77617.0%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
13,03717.6%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
14,27119.6%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
16,46523.1%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
15,10823.9%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
16,16125.4%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
16,11526.1%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
14,79427.2%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
14,65927.8%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
13,26728.4%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
10,94229.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
7,80729.4%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
6,21729.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
4,62030.5%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
2,89631.1%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
2,01631.6%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
66730.9%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
27334.4%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
22637.6%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
16128.0%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
73028.8%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 23 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Volkswagen Caddy stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Volkswagen models

15th of 16

15th lowest fail rate of 16 Volkswagen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against other people carriers

15th of 33

15th lowest fail rate of 33 people carriers with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

19.6%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Volkswagen Caddys

These issues come from 7-year-old Volkswagen Caddys, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    19.6%
    Advisory: 3,963Fail: 298 (7% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    12.6%
    Advisory: 1,962Fail: 908 (32% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    10.4%
    Advisory: 2,144Fail: 43 (2% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    8.5%
    Advisory: 1,279Fail: 407 (24% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    8.4%
    Advisory: 1,260Fail: 273 (18% of the times it was found)

Based on 14,271 MOT tests on 7-year-old Volkswagen Caddys, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Volkswagen Caddys notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres27%
  2. Suspension + Tyres23%
  3. Brakes + Suspension18%
  4. Lighting + Tyres16%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 4,493 MOT tests on Volkswagen Caddy cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

89%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

19 recalls in all

13 of the 19 Volkswagen Caddy recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 12 more

Top concerns

  • Airbag may not deploy
  • Brake line bolted connection
  • Seat belt webbing was damaged during production

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers to compare

  1. 1

    Kia Venga

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.7%
    Dangerous
    3.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.8%

    Lower fail rate: 11.8%, against 19.6% for the Volkswagen Caddy, both built around 2018.

    5,255 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Hyundai ix20

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.5%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.4%

    Lower fail rate: 12.5%, against 19.6% for the Volkswagen Caddy, both built around 2018.

    3,239 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Toyota Estima

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.7%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Caddy on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,057 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Toyota Verso

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90%

    Lower fail rate: 16.4%, against 19.6% for the Volkswagen Caddy, both built around 2018.

    1,716 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Volkswagen Caddy across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. It has the 15th lowest fail rate of 16 Volkswagen models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 14,271 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volkswagen Caddy ever sold: 192,556 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 14,271 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.