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MOT fail rates by first-use year

2005 Volkswagen Caddy MOT fail rate and common faults

How Volkswagen Caddy cars first used in 2005 did at their MOTs from 2022 to 2025, against all cars of the same age. From 8,413 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.

MOT data updated

At 20 years, tested in 2025

MOT fail rate at age 20 (n=1,752)41.8%
All cars at 20 years (n=1,845,952)42.8%
Difference−0.9 pts
MOT tests of 2005 cars, 2022 to 20258,413

What stands out

  • In 2025, at 20 years old, Volkswagen Caddy cars first used in 2005 failed 41.8% of MOTs (1,752 tests), about the same as the 42.8% for all cars that age.
  • From 2022 to 2025, as these cars went from 17 to 20 years old, the fail rate moved from 44.8% to 41.8%.
  • Volkswagen Caddy cars first used a year earlier, in 2004, failed 42.7% at the same age of 20 years (1,188 tests, in 2024).
  • The most common fail item that is not a wear item, for the Volkswagen Caddy at 20 years, is driveshaft CV boot split, at 6.0 per 100 MOTs (all cars: 3.1).

MOT fail rate by test year

Volkswagen Caddy cars first used in 2005: share of MOT tests that failed, by test year, against all cars of the same age. Years with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
Test yearAgeMOT fail rateTests (n)All carsDifference
202217 years44.8%2,44343.1%+1.7 pts
202318 years42.9%2,23943.3%−0.3 pts
202419 years40.8%1,97943.2%−2.4 pts
202520 years41.8%1,75242.8%−0.9 pts

Most common faults at 20 years

These figures cover all Volkswagen Caddy MOTs at 20 years: cars first used 2002 to 2005, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=3,716). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.

MOT fail items

Fail itemPer 100 MOTsAll cars
Driveshaft CV boot split6.03.1
Suspension arm bush worn4.92.1
Side/position light not working Wear4.15.2
Brake light not working Wear3.83.9
Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.72.2
Handbrake too weak3.42.8
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Wear3.12.2
Tyre tread below 1.6 mm Wear3.02.6
Seat belt prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced3.01.0
Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength2.72.9

Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=3,716). A test with two items counts once for each.

Advisories

AdvisoryPer 100 MOTsAll cars
Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear19.215.7
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive15.914.1
Suspension pin or bush worn, without excessive movement15.27.7
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened12.010.7
Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources Wear10.25.4
Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot severely deteriorated8.93.8
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear8.510.2
Windscreen: damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view8.03.8
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material7.915.2
Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases7.25.4

Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=3,716). A test with two items counts once for each.

Fuel type at 20 years

These figures cover all Volkswagen Caddy MOTs at 20 years: cars first used 2002 to 2005, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=3,716). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.

FuelShare of testsMOT fail rateTests (n)All cars, same fuelMedian mileage
Diesel100.0%42.7%3,68943.6%162,351 miles

Car tax rules for a 2005 car

  • Cars first registered from 1 March 2001 to 31 March 2017 are taxed by CO2 emissions band, from band A (the lowest emissions) to band M. The band is set by the CO2 figure on the V5C logbook.

These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check

ULEZ and clean air zones

  • Diesel cars first registered before September 2015 usually do not meet Euro 6, so a 2005 diesel usually pays the ULEZ daily charge. A few models met Euro 6 early.
  • The clean air zones in Birmingham and Bristol use the same Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel standards. The low emission zones in Scotland use them too, but enforce them with fines, not a daily charge.

The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker

Other years of the Volkswagen Caddy

Other Volkswagen models first used in 2005

ModelAge at testMOT fail rateTests (n)All cars
Volkswagen Transporter (2005)20 years in 202543.7%9,82142.8%

More on the Volkswagen Caddy

Read this with care. A fail rate is not a measure of build quality. How far cars are driven, how they are used and how well owners maintain them all change it, and wear items such as tyres and brake pads are common fails. Compare a model only with cars of the same age. Methodology and limits.

Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.

These figures describe 2005 Volkswagen Caddy cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.

See an example Buying Report All car tools

Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources

Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.