1987 Volkswagen Camper — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 316 MOT tests, the 1987 Volkswagen Camper recorded a 70.9% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 20.6% of the time, so this is 8.6pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests against 12.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, headlamp aim and headlamp — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 36 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 34.2% in the 0-30k band and 27.7% in the 150k+ band, a 6.5-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 45.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 23.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 28.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 18.4% | 58 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.7% | 40 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.4% | 36 |
| 4 | Visibility | 9.2% | 29 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.9% | 28 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.8% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 36 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 29 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 23 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 23 |
| 5 | Wipers | 19 |
| 6 | Washers | 18 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 45.3% | 143 |
| 2 | Brakes | 44.0% | 139 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 22.8% | 72 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 21.5% | 68 |
| 5 | Steering | 11.1% | 35 |
| 6 | Tyres | 10.8% | 34 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 38 | 34.2% |
| 120-150k | 48 | 37.5% |
| 150k+ | 155 | 27.7% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 170 | 27.7% |
| Diesel | 146 | 30.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 51 | 23.5% |
| 2022 | 72 | 29.2% |
| 2023 | 74 | 33.8% |
| 2024 | 60 | 28.3% |
| 2025 | 59 | 28.8% |
What to check before buying a 1987 Camper
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (11.4% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1987 Volkswagen Campers pass their MOT?
70.9% of the 316 1987 Volkswagen Camper MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1987 Volkswagen Camper?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.4% of tests, followed by suspension (12.7%).
Does the 1987 Camper get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 34.2% in the 0-30k band to 27.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 316 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.