2005 Volkswagen Camper — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 280 MOT tests, the 2005 Volkswagen Camper recorded a 71.4% pass rate. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.7% of tests against 9.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, wipers and washers — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 29 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 32.3% in the 0-30k band and 23.7% in the 60-90k band, a 8.6-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 17.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 30.0% in 2021 to 23.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 44 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.6% | 27 |
| 3 | Visibility | 8.9% | 25 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.9% | 22 |
| 5 | Suspension | 6.4% | 18 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 13 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 29 |
| 2 | Wipers | 19 |
| 3 | Washers | 19 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 15 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 12 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 11 |
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 | 17.1% | 48 |
| 2 | Tyres | 13.9% | 39 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 12.5% | 35 |
| 4 | Brakes | 12.1% | 34 |
| 5 | Steering | 9.3% | 26 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.5% | 21 |
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 | 65 | 32.3% |
| 30-60k | 102 | 24.5% |
| 60-90k | 59 | 23.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 80 | 30.0% |
| 2022 | 65 | 33.9% |
| 2023 | 46 | 23.9% |
| 2024 | 51 | 27.5% |
| 2025 | 38 | 23.7% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Camper
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.6% 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.
- Visibility (8.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
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 2005 Volkswagen Campers pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 280 2005 Volkswagen Camper MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Volkswagen Camper?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.7% of tests, followed by brakes (9.6%).
Does the 2005 Camper get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 32.3% in the 0-30k band to 23.7% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 280 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.