Campervan and motorhome ownership UK: MOT, mpg

Short answer: owning a campervan or motorhome in the UK comes down to a few recurring jobs: a yearly MOT once the van is three years old, road tax, insurance, breakdown cover, a base vehicle service on the manufacturer's schedule and, if you have gas and leisure electrics, a habitation check. Keep the dates in one place, log your fuel, and most of the stress goes away.

What owning a campervan in the UK involves

We converted our own van and the build was the fun part. The ownership side is less exciting but it is what keeps you on the road. A motor caravan is a Class 4 vehicle for the MOT, and its first test is due by the third anniversary of registration, according to GOV.UK. After that it is every year. You can be fined up to £1,000 for driving without a valid MOT, so it is worth knowing your date.

The MOT only covers the road-going vehicle. The living side (gas, 230V and 12V electrics, water and damp) is not part of it, which is why many owners book a separate habitation check. The Camping and Caravanning Club describes this as a yearly service of the water, gas, electrical and heating systems, done by a specialist workshop.

Garage guides

Campervan MOT checklistWhat is tested, which class your van is, and what to check before you go. Campervan servicingBase vehicle service versus habitation check, and what each one covers. Motorhome mpgWhat really drives your fuel use, and how to work out your true mpg. Best campervan gadgetsKit that earns its space, by category, with honest reasons.

Keeping track of the dates

The thing that catches people out is not any single job, it is the number of different dates: MOT, road tax, insurance renewal, breakdown cover, the next service, the habitation check. They rarely line up. We used to keep them in a notes app and still missed one.

That is why we built My garage into Roam. It holds MOT, road tax, insurance, breakdown and service reminders, a fuel log that gives you your real mpg from fill-ups, and a place for your documents. It is in the app now for early access.

For the paperwork side of things, such as registering a conversion and telling your insurer, see our guide to insurance and the DVLA.

Questions

Does a campervan need an MOT every year?

Yes, once it is three years old. GOV.UK lists motor caravans as Class 4 with the first test due at three years, then yearly after that.

Is a habitation check a legal requirement?

No law we know of requires one for a privately owned van, but warranties and some insurers may ask for it. Check your warranty terms and your policy.

How early can I get my MOT done?

GOV.UK says up to a month (minus a day) before it runs out while keeping the same renewal date.

Owning a campervan, sorted.