Volkswagen Camper MOT pass rate and common problems
67.4% of 3,018 Volkswagen Camper MOT tests pass.
The Camper passes 67.4% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Volkswagen models (79.0%).
The Volkswagen Camper passes 67.4% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Volkswagen Camper?
This is the average across every Volkswagen Camper in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Volkswagen’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate stays relatively stable with age: 65.8% at 6–10 years versus 66.5% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (3) | 3 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | 65.8% | 38 | 48,710 miles |
| 10–15 years | 74.3% | 354 | 52,976 miles |
| 15+ years | 66.5% | 2,623 | 86,659 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Volkswagen Camper
The most common reason the Volkswagen Camper fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 78.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 78.7% | Not working |
| Brakes | 54.2% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Suspension | 33.4% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Body, chassis, structure | 32.6% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Visibility | 29.5% | Not working |
| Steering | 13.2% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 13.0% | Emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |
| Tyres | 10.0% | Has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.4% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.0% | Missing |
Buying a used Volkswagen Camper: what to check
These checks follow the Volkswagen Camper’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Volkswagen Camper comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 74.3% to 66.5%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 74.0% down to 66.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 78.7% of failed Volkswagen Camper MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 54.2% of failed Volkswagen Camper MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 33.4% of failed Volkswagen Camper MOTs. 13.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 2.6% at 6–10 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 32.6% of failed Volkswagen Camper MOTs. 13.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 2.6% at 6–10 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 29.5% of failed Volkswagen Camper MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Volkswagen service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Volkswagen models
- Volkswagen LT — 61.9% pass rate
- Volkswagen Corrado — 79.1% pass rate
- Volkswagen T-Roc R — 95.1% pass rate
- Volkswagen Motor Caravan — 72.3% pass rate
- Volkswagen E-Up — 94.0% pass rate
- Volkswagen California Ocean — 93.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Volkswagen Camper?
- 67.4% of Volkswagen Camper MOT tests pass, based on 3,018 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Volkswagen Camper?
- The most common reason the Volkswagen Camper fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 78.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Volkswagen Camper?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Volkswagen Camper are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Volkswagen Camper?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; bodywork and corrosion; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Volkswagen Camper's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Volkswagen service history guide for how to check and keep one.