2006 Volkswagen Camper — MOT failures & pass rate
469 MOT tests on the 2006 Volkswagen Camper are in this dataset, and 72.7% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.3%, so the 2006 Camper sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 19.2% of all tests — 9.0 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, washers and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 52 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2006 Camper fails 30.4% of the time in the 0-30k band and 30.6% at 150k+, a spread of only 0.2 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 20.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.2% in 2021 to 23.3% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.2% | 90 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.2% | 48 |
| 3 | Visibility | 9.0% | 42 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 6.8% | 32 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 30 |
| 6 | Suspension | 5.1% | 24 |
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 | 52 |
| 2 | Washers | 32 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 31 |
| 4 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 24 |
| 5 | Wipers | 24 |
| 6 | Rbt (sp) | 23 |
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 | 20.9% | 98 |
| 2 | Emissions & environmental | 18.6% | 87 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.1% | 85 |
| 4 | Steering | 17.1% | 80 |
| 5 | Tyres | 13.4% | 63 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.9% | 56 |
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 | 79 | 30.4% |
| 30-60k | 131 | 17.6% |
| 60-90k | 146 | 28.8% |
| 90-120k | 59 | 42.4% |
| 150k+ | 36 | 30.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 412 | 28.4% |
| Diesel | 57 | 19.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 127 | 25.2% |
| 2022 | 95 | 29.5% |
| 2023 | 89 | 29.2% |
| 2024 | 85 | 29.4% |
| 2025 | 73 | 23.3% |
What to check before buying a 2006 Camper
On a 2006 Camper, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 19.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (19.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (10.2% 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 (9.0% 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 2006 Volkswagen Campers pass their MOT?
72.7% of the 469 2006 Volkswagen Camper MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Volkswagen Camper?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.2% of tests, followed by brakes (10.2%).
Does the 2006 Camper get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 30.4% in the 0-30k band to 30.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 469 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.