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Volkswagen Type 2 Camper Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Volkswagen Type 2 Camper car check

Is the Volkswagen Type 2 Camper reliable? We analysed 1,526 real MOT tests across 117 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,526 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
68.0%
Typical Mileage
50,554mi
Annual Mileage
1,055mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
55yrs

The Volkswagen Type 2 Camper is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Volkswagen Type 2 Camper.

Volkswagen Type 2 Camper Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Volkswagen Type 2 Camper. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Volkswagen Type 2 Camper MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Volkswagen Type 2 Camper to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

70.7%
2006
66.7%
1979
61.4%
1978
66.1%
1975
75.3%
1973
64.5%
1972
59.4%
1971

Volkswagen Type 2 Camper Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Volkswagen Type 2 Camper fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 122
Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded 94
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 71
position lamp(s) not working 60
Stop lamp not working 54
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 52
brake binding 39
Headlamp aim too low 38
Horn not working 37
parking brake recording little or no effort 35

Volkswagen Type 2 Camper Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Volkswagen Type 2 Camper owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
416 mi/yr
Typical
1,055 mi/yr
Average
1,901 mi/yr
Heavy usage
1,991 mi/yr

Volkswagen Type 2 Camper MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Volkswagen Type 2 Camper year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2006 58 70.7% 47,504 60,806 89,836
1979 162 66.7% 14,079 23,730 49,439
1978 88 61.4% 19,594 24,636 50,183
1975 59 66.1% 21,962 72,552 87,404
1973 146 75.3% 43,951 61,891 79,630
1972 121 64.5% 24,793 36,678 63,754
1971 101 59.4% 17,908 61,746 73,490

How Long Does a Volkswagen Type 2 Camper Last?

Based on 117 Volkswagen Type 2 Camper vehicles on UK roads.

Average
33.4 years
Median
40.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
55 years

Volkswagen Type 2 Camper Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Volkswagen Type 2 Camper MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
50,554 mi
75th Percentile
75,856 mi
95th Percentile
95,145 mi
Max Recorded
745,711 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Volkswagen Type 2 Camper

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1973

75.3% MOT pass rate from 146 tests

Year to avoid
1971

59.4% MOT pass rate from 101 tests

The best year to buy a used Volkswagen Type 2 Camper is 1973, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 75.3% across 146 tests. The 1971 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Volkswagen Type 2 Camper Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Volkswagen Type 2 Camper THIS CAR 68.0% 1,526 50,554 mi 55 yrs
Volkswagen Golf 74.9% 22,270,993 83,305 mi 37 yrs
Volkswagen Polo 72.9% 14,598,296 60,351 mi 35 yrs
Volkswagen Passat 73.5% 6,960,690 105,632 mi 32 yrs
Land Rover 4X4 74.7% 1,085 79,309 mi 54 yrs

Compared to the Volkswagen Golf (74.9% pass rate) and the Volkswagen Polo (72.9% pass rate), the Volkswagen Type 2 Camper trails behind on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Volkswagen Type 2 Camper?

The Volkswagen Type 2 Camper has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.0% across 1,526 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.

The most common problems on the Volkswagen Type 2 Camper are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (122 recorded failures), suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (94), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (71). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Volkswagen Type 2 Camper owner drives around 1,055 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Volkswagen Type 2 Camper models stay on UK roads for around 55 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Volkswagen Type 2 Camper — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Volkswagen Type 2 Camper reliable?
Based on 1,526 MOT tests, the Volkswagen Type 2 Camper has a 68.0% pass rate — about average for UK cars.
What are the common problems on a Volkswagen Type 2 Camper?
The most common MOT failures are windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid, suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Volkswagen Type 2 Camper do per year?
The typical Volkswagen Type 2 Camper does around 1,055 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Volkswagen Type 2 Camper last?
Most Volkswagen Type 2 Camper models stay on UK roads for around 55 years based on our analysis of 117 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Volkswagen Type 2 Camper?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Volkswagen Type 2 Camper?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Volkswagen Type 2 Camper is 1973 with a 75.3% pass rate across 146 tests.