Short answer: campervan servicing splits into two jobs. The base vehicle service (engine, oil, filters, brakes) follows the van manufacturer's schedule and any garage can do it. The habitation check covers the living area: the Camping and Caravanning Club describes it as a yearly service of the water, gas, electrical and heating systems, plus checks for damp and leaks, done by a specialist. The MOT covers neither in full.
Two services, not one
A campervan or motorhome is a vehicle with a small home built into it. The vehicle part is a Ford, Fiat, Peugeot, Citroën, Renault, VW, Mercedes or similar, and it needs servicing like any van. The home part has a gas system, a 12V leisure system, often 230V hook-up, water, a heater and a fridge. None of that is in the van manufacturer's service schedule.
The MOT does not fill the gap either. The MOT inspection manual covers brakes, steering, lights, tyres, body, belts and emissions, and it does not mention gas installations or the living accommodation at all.
| Base vehicle service | Habitation check | |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | Engine, oil, filters, brakes, fluids, belts, suspension | Gas, leisure electrics, water, heating, damp and leaks |
| Schedule | Manufacturer's interval in your handbook (miles or time) | Yearly, according to the Camping and Caravanning Club |
| Who | Any competent garage or main dealer | A specialist leisure vehicle workshop |
| Legally required? | No, but the MOT is | No, but warranties may require it |
The base vehicle service
This is the normal van service. Follow the interval in your handbook, which is usually given as miles or months, whichever comes first. Low-mileage vans, which many campers are, still need the time-based service because oil and brake fluid age whether you drive or not.
A few things to mention to the garage, because a camper works differently from a delivery van:
- It is heavy most of the time. Brakes, tyres and suspension work harder. Ask them to look closely at these.
- It may sit for weeks. Batteries, brakes and tyres can suffer from standing. Mention if it has been laid up over winter.
- There may be extra wiring. If a split charge relay or DC-DC charger is wired to the starter battery, tell them, so nobody is surprised under the seat.
- Use the right oil. The AA advises always using the right specification of engine oil, and to check the handbook.
Keep the stamped service book or invoices. They matter for resale and for any warranty claim on the base vehicle.
What a habitation check covers
The Camping and Caravanning Club says you will need to have the living area serviced annually, normally by a specialist motorhome dealer or workshop, and that this "habitation" service includes the water, gas, electrical and heating systems. The dealer should also check the basic structure for damp or leaks. The Club notes that appliances get safety checks rather than full services, and recommends getting appliances such as the fridge serviced at the same time, especially if they run on gas.
In practice, expect the check to look at:
Gas
- The gas system for leaks.
- Regulator, hoses and pipework condition.
- Safe operation of gas appliances: hob, heater, fridge, water heater.
- Ventilation, which gas appliances depend on.
Electrics
- The 230V hook-up side: inlet, consumer unit and sockets.
- The 12V leisure side: leisure battery, charger, fuses, lights, pump and fan.
Water and heating
- Fresh and waste tanks, pipes, taps and pump for leaks.
- The heating system working as it should.
Damp and structure
- Damp readings around the habitation area, particularly near windows, roof lights and seams, where water tends to get in.
- Seals and the general condition of the body.
Exact checklists vary between workshops, so ask for theirs before you book and ask for a written report with the damp readings. Comparing those readings year on year is the most useful thing a habitation check gives you, because damp is cheap to fix early and expensive to fix late.
If your van is under a manufacturer's habitation or water ingress warranty, read the terms. They often say how often a habitation check must be done and by whom. Missing one can affect a claim.
Who should do it
For the base vehicle, any competent garage. For the habitation check, use a workshop that works on leisure vehicles. The Approved Workshop Scheme is run jointly by the National Caravan Council, The Caravan and Motorhome Club and The Camping and Caravanning Club, and its workshops are inspected each year by independent assessors. Mobile engineers are also common; ask whether they are in the scheme or what qualifications they hold for LPG and electrical work.
The Camping and Caravanning Club also suggests booking early for a pre-season service, because workshops fill up quickly in spring. We book ours for autumn or late winter for the same reason.
If you built your own van
This is us, so we have thought about it a lot. A self-build has no manufacturer's habitation warranty to protect, but the safety reasons for a check are the same. A few points:
- Gas: if you have a fitted LPG system, have it checked by someone qualified to work on LPG in leisure vehicles. Do not rely on a home gas engineer unless they are qualified for this kind of installation.
- Electrics: have your 230V side checked by a qualified electrician. Keep your wiring diagram handy; it makes any check faster. If you are still designing your system, our campervan electrics guides cover cable sizes and fusing.
- Damp: a cheap pin-type damp meter lets you take your own readings at the same spots every few months. You will not match a workshop, but you will notice a change.
- Insurance: some self-build insurers ask for gas and electrical certificates. Check your policy.
Checks between services
A yearly visit is not enough on its own if you use the van a lot. Between services we:
- Look at the roof and roof light seals after winter and after long trips.
- Test the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Check gas hoses for cracks and the date printed on them.
- Check tyre pressures cold, at the loaded figure.
- Drain water before frost if the van is not heated. Our campervan in winter guide covers this.
- Watch the fuel log. A drop in mpg can be the first sign of a dragging brake or soft tyre; see motorhome mpg.
Roam's My garage keeps service reminders alongside MOT, tax, insurance and breakdown dates, and stores documents such as service invoices and habitation reports. It is in the app now.
Questions
What is the difference between a campervan service and a habitation check?
The service looks after the base vehicle (engine, brakes, fluids). The habitation check looks after the living area (gas, electrics, water, heating, damp).
How often should a motorhome have a habitation check?
The Camping and Caravanning Club says annually. Warranty terms may set their own interval.
Is a habitation check a legal requirement in the UK?
Not for a privately owned van as far as we know, but warranties and some insurers may ask for one. Check your paperwork.
Can my normal garage do a habitation check?
Usually not. Look for a leisure vehicle specialist, such as a workshop in the Approved Workshop Scheme.