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Volkswagen Caddy Mk5 (SK) (2021-present) reliability

At a glance

Volkswagen Caddy Mk5 (SK) built around 2021: about average at the MOT

Volkswagen Caddy Mk5 (SK) models built around 2021 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at a Volkswagen Caddy Mk5 (SK) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

14% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Caddy Mk5 (SK) models built around 2021 ended in a fail (retests included), against 18% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volkswagen Caddy Mk5 (SK) models built around 2021 involves the tyres.

No reliability rating: too close to call between ratings2021-presentMPVDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 9,193 tests of Caddy models registered 2021+.

About 1 in 6 diesel Caddy cars registered in 2022 (17.4%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 3,871 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 40 Caddy Mk5 (SK) MOTs (2.5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2021 (4 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 3,376 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 Caddy Mk5 (SK) MOTs (5.1%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2021 (4 years old).

Based on 3,376 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk5 (SK) fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
5,81714.6%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
3,37614.2%

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 3 years old.

How the Caddy Mk5 (SK) compares

At each age below, see how the Caddy Mk5 (SK) holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 197,110 tests across 38 Volkswagen models, built around 2021 (4 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateVolkswagen average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
5,81714.6%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
3,37614.2%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

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

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.

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.

Other people carriers to compare

Other people carriers, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Caddy Mk5 (SK).

  1. 1

    Mercedes-Benz B-Class

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.5%
    Dangerous
    2.5%

    Lower fail rate: 8.2%, against 14.2% for the Volkswagen Caddy Mk5 (SK), both built around 2021.

    6 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    2,123 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  2. 2

    Peugeot Rifter

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.2%
    Dangerous
    3.3%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 3.3%, against 5.1% for the Volkswagen Caddy Mk5 (SK).

    2,670 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  3. 3

    Vauxhall Combo Life

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.7%
    Dangerous
    4%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 4.0%, against 5.1% for the Volkswagen Caddy Mk5 (SK).

    2,657 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

  4. 4

    Ford Tourneo Custom

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.9%
    Dangerous
    3.5%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 3.5%, against 5.1% for the Volkswagen Caddy Mk5 (SK).

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    3,536 MOT tests on cars built around 2021

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.

Recall context

19 recalls in all

5 of the 19 Caddy Mk5 (SK) recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 5 recalls

Top concerns

  • Brake line bolted connection
  • Seat belt webbing was damaged during production
  • On Caddy vehicles of a limited production period tyres by manufacturer maxxis were fitted that can result in cracks or d

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

What has gone wrong on Caddy Mk5 (SK) cars built around 2021

The share of diesel cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 70 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
3%
Emissions
1%
Steering
1%

Wear items

Tyres
10%
Lighting
6%
Brakes
6%
Mk5 (SK) variants compared

Caddy Mk5 (SK) variants built around 2021

The fail rate for each Caddy Mk5 (SK) variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • CADDY C20 COMMERCE TDI13.9%768 tests
  • CADDY16.3%687 tests
  • CADDY C20 COMMERCE PRO TDI14.9%443 tests
  • CADDY C20 COMMERCE + TDI13.4%352 tests
  • CADDY C20 COMMERCE PRO TDI S-A12.2%295 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Volkswagen Caddys of this age

This list covers every Volkswagen Caddy built around 2021, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk5 (SK) on its own.

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

    18.2%
    Advisory: 1,703Fail: 117 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.1%
    Advisory: 714Fail: 127 (15% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    7.5%
    Advisory: 560Fail: 147 (21% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

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

    7.0%
    Advisory: 682Fail: 7 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Minor

    Windscreen damaged, but the driver can still see clearly

    4.3%
    Advisory: 0Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)

Based on 6,531 tests

Looking at a Volkswagen Caddy Mk5 (SK) right now?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2021 (4 years old), the Volkswagen Caddy Mk5 (SK) (2021-present) fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 3,376 4-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 9,193 MOT tests on Volkswagen Caddys first registered from 2021. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.