Bristol Caravans and Motorhomes

Road-Ready for Every Adventure

Is your vehicle truly ready for the road ahead?

We know your adventures mean everything which is why our expert MOT services are designed to keep you safe, secure and stress-free. With inspections from experienced technicians and a passion for protecting your journeys, we help you avoid costly surprises and travel with complete confidence. Don’t leave your next trip to chance.

 

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Motorhome MOT's Explained

In the UK, motorhomes are legally required to pass an annual MOT test once they reach three years from their first registration date. The MOT ensures the vehicle meets the minimum safety and environmental standards needed to be driven on public roads.

Even if your motorhome is used only occasionally or stored for long periods, the law still requires a valid MOT if the vehicle is taxed and used on the road. Driving without a valid MOT can result in fines, penalty points, and potential issues with your insurance if you are involved in an accident.

The majority of motorhomes fall under the Class 4 MOT category, which is the same class used for standard cars, vans, and small motor caravans. This applies to most vehicles with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 3,500kg.

However, some larger or heavier motorhomes may require a Class 7 MOT if they exceed this weight limit. It’s important to check your vehicle’s weight and registration details to confirm the correct MOT class before booking your test.

The UK government sets a maximum fee for MOT tests, which means a Class 4 MOT can cost up to £54.85, although many garages offer discounts or promotional prices. Some testing centres may charge slightly different rates depending on the vehicle size or local pricing.

If your motorhome requires a Class 7 MOT due to its weight, the maximum test fee is slightly higher. It’s always worth checking with your chosen MOT centre beforehand, especially if your motorhome is larger or has unique dimensions.

The MOT test focuses on ensuring the vehicle is safe to drive and meets legal road standards. During the inspection, testers check important components such as brakes, lights, tyres, steering, suspension, windscreen, seatbelts, and exhaust emissions.

However, the test only applies to the vehicle itself and not the living facilities inside the motorhome. Items such as beds, cooking appliances, toilets, and internal fittings are not included in the MOT inspection.

Many garages offer Class 4 MOT tests, but some motorhomes are larger or taller than standard vehicles and may not fit onto the testing ramps or inside smaller garages. Because of this, not every MOT centre can accommodate a motorhome.

Motorhome owners often look for MOT centres with larger bays and equipment specifically designed for bigger vehicles. Choosing a garage experienced with motorhomes can make the process smoother and ensure the vehicle is inspected safely.

When a motorhome fails its MOT test, the testing centre will provide a failure report detailing the problems that need to be fixed. These issues must be repaired before the vehicle can pass the test and receive a valid MOT certificate.

In most cases, you can have the repairs completed at the same garage or take the motorhome elsewhere for repairs. Once the issues are resolved, the vehicle can return for a retest, which may be free or reduced in cost if completed within a certain timeframe.

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Our Team

Welcome to the team here at Bristol Caravans and Motorhomes. We’re really proud of the team, and over the years it’s been our pleasure to provide advice and services to our ever-growing loyal customers.

Thank you for trusting us with your investment.

Oakleigh Wood - Director of Bristol Caravans
Oakleigh Wood
Director
Eliot Carey, Manager at Bristol Caravans
Eliot Carey
Manager
Tracey Allen, Service Advisor at Bristol Caravans
Tracey Allen
Service Advisor
Nick Marshall, Caravan Technician
Nick Marshall
Senior Caravan Technician
Andy Carter
Caravan technician
Nick Clifford
Valeter
Joe Wonnacott
Senior technician
Rob Housham
driver

“We arrived at Llanfyllin, and it was raining so hard it was difficult to find our plot. Once parked up, it took just 90 seconds as we let our automatic levelling system get us level. Thank you, Bristol Caravans, for fitting our amazing levelling system.”

Jake and Carol Smith