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Volkswagen Camper reliability by build year

Coverage 1950-19792 named generationsMPVPETROL / DIESEL

We've only got 1,483 MOT tests for Volkswagen Campers built before 2000 (over 25 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Volkswagen Camper built before 2000: about average at the MOT

Volkswagen Campers built before 2000 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Volkswagen Camper by number plate

Key figure

28% of MOT tests on Volkswagen Campers built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 32% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Volkswagen Campers built before 2000 involves the wheels and wheel bearings.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Volkswagen Camper's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Underbody / chassis corrosion

High priority

Get the car on a ramp or jack point and inspect sills, subframe mounts, and rear suspension mounting points.

Axles & Wheels

Worth checking

Inspect the axles & wheels carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Leaks

Worth checking

Inspect the leaks carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Camper's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

T

T2 (Bay window) (1967-1979)

Not enough tests to rate
PETROLDIESEL

28.0% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 1,483 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL
415 MOT tests across all agesLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Volkswagen Camper.

See every build year for the Volkswagen Camper

By age

Volkswagen Camper fail rate by age

This chart combines every Volkswagen Camper ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
6126.2%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
6825.0%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
6728.4%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
5923.7%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
7722.1%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
7630.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
6627.3%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,48328.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 18 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Volkswagen Campers

These issues come from 25+ year old Volkswagen Campers, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    19.1%
    Advisory: 289Fail: 4 (1% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Wheel bearing has slight play

    14.9%
    Advisory: 331Fail: 24 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    11.1%
    Advisory: 235Fail: 26 (10% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    9.8%
    Advisory: 207Fail: 30 (13% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Body structure corroded, but not seriously weakened

    8.4%
    Advisory: 163Fail: 38 (19% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,483 MOT tests on 25+ year old Volkswagen Campers, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Volkswagen Campers notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Other26%
  2. Brakes + Suspension26%
  3. Other + Suspension24%
  4. Body & structure + Suspension20%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 791 MOT tests on Volkswagen Camper cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Volkswagen Camper.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Volkswagen Camper name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Similar cars to compare

Similar cars to compare

  1. 1

    Renault Trafic

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    35.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Camper on these figures.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,885 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    Mazda Bongo

    Tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    36.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    19.5%
    Dangerous
    6.1%

    No clear edge over the Volkswagen Camper on these figures.

    3,878 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Volkswagen Camper across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly more often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,483 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Volkswagen Camper ever sold: 1,957 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 1,483 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.