1990 Volkswagen Caravelle 2.1L Petrol · G373 BOY
1990 Volkswagen Caravelle (2.1L, petrol). First registered 08 Jun 1990. Recorded mileage 241,438 miles. MOT valid until 19 Jul 2027. Taxed until 01 Mar 2027.
- Make & Model
- VOLKSWAGEN CARAVELLE
- Year / Origin
- 1990 · Maidstone
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 19 Jul 2027
- Road Tax
- Taxed (01 Mar 2027)
- Recorded Mileage
- 241,438 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 2.1L
- Reliability Guide
- Available on IAGC
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
G373 BOY Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 21/07/2026
- 241,438 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring lighting items (9 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
G373 BOY MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 1990 Volkswagen Caravelle (G373 BOY) between May 2022 and July 2026.
The record contains 4 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 21 July 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 1 failure that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Lighting (9 issues), Suspension (5 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Brakes (2 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 19 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Rear Seat belt installation anchorage insecure (10.1 (d))”; “Offside Rear Seat belt installation anchorage insecure (10.1 (d))”; “Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area excessively damaged significantly reducing structural strengt”.
G373 BOY Mileage History
- 21/05/2022239,449 mi
- 09/07/2024239,584 mi+135 mi
- 01/07/2025240,566 mi+982 mi
- 07/07/2026241,435 mi+869 mi
- 21/07/2026241,438 mi+3 mi
Average of roughly 477 miles per year across 5 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
MOT Roadworthiness: Average
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Exercise significant caution before purc
If you are considering this Caravelle, your first priority should be a professional inspection of the chassis and suspension mounting points. The July 2026 MOT failure specifically noted that an offside rear suspension component mounting area was excessively damaged, which can compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle. You must verify that this has been professionally repaired and is no longer a safety risk.
Secondly, check the documentation for the recent repairs following the July 2026 failure. The vehicle had multiple failures involving seat security and seat belt anchorages; ensure these have been rectified to a standard that meets current safety regulations. Given the high mileage and the presence of an oil leak and exhaust leak in the most recent pass, you should also negotiate based on the immediate mechanical attention these components will likely require.
As a 2.1L petrol vehicle from 1990, running costs will be relatively high compared to modern equivalents. Fuel economy for a large, older transporter will be modest, and you should expect higher-than-average consumption, especially under load.
Maintenance costs are likely to be significant due to the age of the vehicle and the types of issues appearing in the MOT history, such as wheel bearings, suspension components, and exhaust leaks. Tax and insurance groups will depend on your specific profile, but the older engine technology and vehicle type generally place it in a higher bracket for both fuel and maintenance. Estimated annual costs will be heavily influenced by how frequently components like brakes and suspension parts require replacement.
A critical inspection point is the underside of the vehicle. You must look specifically at the offside rear suspension mounting area mentioned in the 2026 failure to ensure any structural damage has been properly addressed and not merely patched. Additionally, inspect the engine bay for the source of the oil leak noted in the July 2026 MOT advisory.
Check the interior safety components thoroughly. The history shows a pattern of issues with seatbelt webbing and seat anchorages being insecure. Test every seat for stability and ensure all seatbelt tensioners and anchorages are firmly fixed. Finally, inspect the front wheel bearings and the condition of the brake discs, as these have been recurring advisory or failure points in recent years.
This 1990 Volkswagen Caravelle is a high-mileage petrol example with 241,438 miles recorded at its last test. The MOT history reveals a pattern of recurring issues, including wheel bearing play, brake disc wear, and most concerningly, a 2026 failure involving structural damage to a rear suspension mounting and insecure seating. The vehicle's age and mileage, combined with recent mechanical advisories, suggest a high maintenance requirement.
No aggregate reliability data is available for this specific Volkswagen Caravelle model to provide a comparative baseline.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
Similar Vehicles
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (G373 Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as G373BOY.
R R SILVER GHOST
HONDA
CIVIC CRX
VOLKSWAGEN
GOLF
HONDA
VFR400R-L
HONDA
ST1100
CITROEN
2CV
FORD
ESCORT
ROYALE
SABRE
CZ
125
TALBOT
EXPRESS
VOLKSWAGEN
TRANSPORTER
PORSCHE
944
Recently Checked UK Vehicles
Live vehicle history checks and MOT records recently queried by UK car buyers.