The picture
Camper: middle-of-the-pack on first-time pass
Across 2,287 MOT tests, the Camper returns 70.4% first-time pass — below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is the strength or continuity of the load bearing. A lamp out and windscreen washers not working round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 77,382, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
104 occurrences · 4.5% of tests
- 02
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
85 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 03
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
77 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
- 04
Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated
74 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 05
A suspension joint dust cover severely deteriorated
70 occurrences · 3.1% of tests
- 06
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
68 occurrences · 3.0% of tests
- 07
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
57 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 08
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
52 occurrences · 2.3% of tests
- 09
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced
45 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
- 10
Audible warning inoperative
45 occurrences · 2.0% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£160–£480
If every one of this Camper's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
Try the calculator
Build your own retest budget.
Buying or keeping a Camper?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Camper and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.