2018 Volkswagen Caravelle 2.0L Diesel · T55 MAL

The 2018 Volkswagen Caravelle presents a broadly stable maintenance trend, though the most recent MOT on 12 December 2025 at 79,437 miles flagged two minor advisories that warrant attention. The tester recorded a non-obligatory central rear upper stop lamp not working and cuts in the tread of both rear tyres that were not deep enough to expose the ply or cords. These are not fail items, but the rear tyre cuts suggest the vehicle may have encountered road debris or kerbside contact, and the lamp defect points to a simple electrical or bulb issue. The overall record shows no serious structural or mechanical failures across five tests, which is reassuring for a vehicle of this age. The mileage accumulation is consistent and unremarkable for an eight-year-old commercial vehicle. The recorded mileages climb from 35,623 miles on 20 July 2022 to 52,629 miles on 13 December 2023, then to 66,048 miles on 6 December 2024, and finally to 79,437 miles on 12 December 2025. Each annual interval shows roughly 13,000 to 17,000 miles per year, which sits comfortably within the typical range for a vehicle used for regular medium-distance work or long-distance private use. There are no suspicious gaps in the MOT record, and the tests have been conducted annually without any missed years, suggesting consistent use rather than prolonged standing. A buyer inspecting this Caravelle in person should focus on the rear tyres, given the cuts flagged in the December 2025 test. Even though the tester judged them not to reach the ply, any cut in the tread sidewall area can propagate under load, particularly on a heavy commercial vehicle. Check whether the rear tyres have been replaced since the test or whether the same cuts remain. The non-functioning central rear upper stop lamp should also be verified, as this could indicate a wiring fault beyond a simple bulb failure. Beyond the flagged items, inspect the rear suspension bushes and coil springs for wear, given the mileage and the vehicle's likely payload history. The windscreen advisories in 2023 and 2024 were minor chips, but any stone damage should be examined for cracks that may have spread. Brake discs and pads at all corners deserve close inspection, as the record shows no brake-related advisories, but at nearly 80,000 miles, consumable wear is expected and replacement history should be confirmed.