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Volkswagen Caravelle T5 (2003–2015)

3.0/5
Reliability score Average
Email-verified reliability report

Model and generation reliability insights from verified owners. Variants are selected when adding reviews.

4 Verified owner reports

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Most reported affected parts

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No affected parts have been reported yet.

Engine reliability summary

Petrol

Engine Score Reports Common issues
2.0 (116 Hp) (EA113 / AXA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TSI (150 Hp) (EA888 / CJKB) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TSI (204 Hp) (EA888 / CJKA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TSI (204 Hp) 4MOTION DSG (EA888 / CJKA) No reports 0 No issues reported
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2.0 TSI (204 Hp) DSG (EA888 / CJKA) No reports 0 No issues reported
3.2 V6 (235 Hp) 4MOTION (EA390 / BKK) No reports 0 No issues reported
3.2 V6 (235 Hp) Tiptronic (EA390 / BKK) No reports 0 No issues reported

Diesel

Engine Score Reports Common issues
1.9 TDI (105 Hp) (EA188 / AXB) No reports 0 No issues reported
1.9 TDI (86 Hp) (EA188 / AXC) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (102 Hp) (EA189 / CAAB) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (140 Hp) (EA189 / CCHA) No reports 0 No issues reported
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2.0 TDI (140 Hp) 4MOTION (EA189 / CCHA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (140 Hp) DSG (EA189 / CCHA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (180 Hp) (EA189 / CFCA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (180 Hp) 4MOTION (EA189 / CFCA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (180 Hp) 4MOTION DSG (EA189 / CFCA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (180 Hp) DSG (EA189 / CFCA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI (84 Hp) (EA189 / CAAA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI BMT (114 Hp) (EA189 / CAAD) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI BMT (140 Hp) (EA189 / CCHA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI BMT (140 Hp) 4MOTION (EA189 / CCHA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI BMT (140 Hp) DSG (EA189 / CCHA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI BMT (180 Hp) (EA189 / CFCA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI BMT (180 Hp) 4MOTION (EA189 / CFCA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI BMT (180 Hp) 4MOTION DSG (EA189 / CFCA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI BMT (180 Hp) DSG (EA189 / CFCA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.0 TDI BMT (84 Hp) (EA189 / CAAA) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.5 TDI (130 Hp) (EA153 / AXD) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.5 TDI (130 Hp) 4MOTION (EA153 / AXD) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.5 TDI (130 Hp) Tiptronic (EA153 / AXD) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.5 TDI (174 Hp) (EA153 / AXE) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.5 TDI (174 Hp) 4MOTION (EA153 / AXE) No reports 0 No issues reported
2.5 TDI (174 Hp) Tiptronic (EA153 / AXE) No reports 0 No issues reported

Owner reviews

Verified owner Verified
Model not specified Mileage unknown

Caravelle T5 Review

The Caravelle T5 suffers from rust, high VW service costs, and a lack of expertise at VW service stations, with unclear service life information. Fuel consumption is high, the drivetrain is noisy at higher RPMs, and the gearbox is unreliable. However, it boasts excellent, non-dazzling dipped headlights, a sixth gear that reduces noise (on some versions), rapid air conditioning for cooling and defrosting, heated seats, and ample space.

Pros: Excellent, non-dazzling dipped headlights, Effective air conditioning for cooling and defrosting, Comfortable heated seats, Spacious interior, Sixth gear reduces noise (on some models)
Cons: Susceptible to rust, Expensive VW maintenance and service, Lack of expertise at VW service stations, Unclear service life information, High fuel consumption, Noisy drivetrain at higher RPMs, Unreliable gearbox
Verified owner Verified
Model not specified Mileage unknown

Caravelle T5 Review

I am the second owner of this car, imported from Germany. The previous owner serviced it at an official VW service center in Germany, while I've used a non-authorized VW workshop. I use it daily for work and frequent summer and winter holidays for 3 years, so I can honestly review it as someone from the automotive industry. So! As many opinions suggest about this legendary car, it doesn't have a great reputation...

Pros: Spacious and versatile interior, Comfortable for long journeys
Cons: Potential for expensive repairs, Can be thirsty on fuel
Verified owner Verified
Model not specified Mileage unknown

Caravelle T5: A Disappointing Experience

My opinion of this car is negative. The ordeal lasted 5 years and that's enough. Running costs and repairs for the VW T5 exceeded the price of a new one. I bought a Toyota with a fantastic gasoline engine of simple and solid construction. Is it possible? This T5 monstrosity ruined all my faith in German automotive engineering. I guess only Japanese cars maintain quality these days ;( Sadly, Toyotas are expensive to buy, but they repay you with reliability. I advise against buying the VW T5 passenger version, or as some call it, the...

Pros: Japanese car quality
Cons: Excessive running costs and repairs, Unreliable VW T5, Ruined faith in German automotive engineering, Expensive initial purchase price for Toyota
Verified owner Verified
Model not specified Mileage unknown

Caravelle T5

I had a VW T5 1.9 TDI, now I have a T5 2.0 petrol with LPG. I brought it from Scandinavia and I believe that if you buy a well-maintained example, there won't be any issues. The 1.9 TDI with pump injectors caused more problems: injector pump and turbo regeneration, then cylinder head replacement, honing the seats for pump injectors. In the 2.0, the ignition system is sensitive; I change the cables and spark plugs on the sequential system every 30,000 km and it's okay. Regarding more serious repairs, I've heard of the throttle body, although so far everything works. It's a different story, mine is a reliable one.

Pros: Reliable when well-maintained, Good for long journeys, Spacious interior
Cons: 1.9 TDI pump injectors prone to issues, 2.0 ignition system sensitive to maintenance, Potential throttle body issues

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