Do campervans and motorhomes need an MOT?

Like cars, campervans and motorhomes require an MOT to ensure they’re safe to use on the road. This is a legal requirement that keeps drivers, passengers, and other road users safe. Failing to get an MOT can lead to fines, penalty points, and even driving bans.

In this guide, we discuss what a campervan or motorhome MOT is, what it includes, the different MOT faults, where to get an MOT for your campervan or motorhome, and information about habitation checks.

What is an MOT?

An MOT is a compulsory annual test that checks the safety, roadworthiness, and exhaust emissions of vehicles. Any vehicle that is over three years old and is driven or parked on public UK roads needs a valid MOT, including campervans and motorhomes. Even if you don’t drive your campervan or motorhome very often, or leave it parked on a public road for years at a time, it will still need an MOT in line with legal requirements.

What does an MOT include?

An MOT checks a whole range of a vehicle’s features to ensure it’s safe to be on the road. These include:

• Brakes
• Lights
• Tyres
• Exhaust and emissions
• Steering and suspension
• Seatbelts
• Body structure and corrosion
  
  

Where to get a campervan or motorhome MOT

You will need to take your campervan or motorhome to a government-approved MOT test centre to ensure the test is reliable and completed by an expert. Some centres may not be able to test larger motorhomes, so you may need to go to a Class 4, 5, or 7 testing station depending on the size and weight of your vehicle.

To work out the type of MOT your campervan or motorhome needs, consult your logbook to find out how your vehicle is classified and then speak to an MOT test centre which will be able to help determine which test is right for you. Typically, you’ll need a Class 4 MOT as this covers vehicles that can seat up to eight passengers and weigh below 3000kg.

If your vehicle isn’t clearly a motorhome or campervan or contains items that aren’t necessary for living in your vehicle, you may need to get a Class 7 MOT or an HGV MOT.

What are the different types of MOT faults?

There are four types of MOT faults. Some mean you can’t drive your vehicle until repairs are made, whereas others highlight issues you need to be aware of. Understanding the difference is important to know when it’s legal to drive your campervan or motorhome following its MOT.

• A dangerous fault means your campervan or motorhome is unsafe to drive and must not be used on the road – for example, very worn brakes or broken suspension
• A major fault means there’s a significant risk and your vehicle must only be driven to or from a retest or repairs – an example of this is damaged tyres or high exhaust emissions
• A minor fault is something that should be fixed soon but won’t fail your campervan or motorhome so you can still drive it – this includes low brake fluid or worn wiper blades
• An advisory fault means your vehicle has passed its MOT but there’s something you need to monitor – this could be slight wear to brake pads or tyre tread close to the legal limit
  
  

What happens if a campervan or motorhome fails its MOT?

If your campervan or motorhome fails its MOT, it means it didn’t meet the minimum legal safety and environmental standards. Should this happen, you’ll receive a ‘refusal of an MOT test certificate’ (VT30), explaining why it failed, and the MOT database will be updated so authorities and insurers can see the fail.

An MOT fail means you can’t drive your campervan or motorhome on the road unless you’re travelling to or from a pre-booked MOT retest or repair. Driving a vehicle without a valid MOT can result in fines up to £2,500, three penalty points, and even a driving ban.

What to do if your vehicle fails its MOT

There are a few different options when your campervan or motorhome fails its MOT:

• Repair and retest at the same garage – If you leave your vehicle at the same garage for repairs, the retest is free if carried out within 10 working days
• Take your vehicle elsewhere for repairs – You can take your campervan or motorhome to another garage for repairs but must arrange a retest. You may be charged for a partial or full retest.
• Appeal the result – If you believe the MOT fail was incorrect, you can appeal to the DVSA. If you choose to do this, you must not repair the vehicle during the appeal process.
  
  

Motorhome and campervan habitation checks

A habitation check is an inspection of the living area of a motorhome, campervan, or caravan and ensures all systems and fixtures are safe, fully functional, and free from damage. Unlike an MOT, a habitation check focuses on the comfort, safety, and usability of the living space.

Habitation checks typically cover:

• Gas system – Testing for leaks, ensuring the hob, oven, and any other gas-powered appliances are working safely, and checking that ventilation is effective
• Electrical system – Checking 12V and 230V systems, plus the condition of the battery, plug sockets, lights, and fuse board
• Water system – Examining both fresh and wastewater systems, pumps and taps, and the toilet
• Safety equipment – Checking the fire extinguisher, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire blanket
• Structure – Damp testing, checking seals around windows and doors, establishing the integrity of the floor, wall and roof, and testing door and window operation

It’s recommended that you get a habitation check carried out on your motorhome or campervan annually. This is often required for warranty purposes for new vehicles and is important when buying or selling a motorhome or campervan. Once the check has been completed, you’ll usually be given a written report, any damp readings that were taken, and a list of defects or advisories.

While a habitation check isn’t mandatory like an MOT, it’s still worth considering to ensure your vehicle remains in a safe, comfortable condition.

Specialist motorhome and campervan insurance through Ripe

Now you know the importance of getting an MOT for your motorhome or campervan, you may also want to consider specialist motorhome or campervan insurance.

Get an instant online quote today.