Why choose an NCC-approved touring caravan, motorhome or campervan?

David Whitehead – the NCC’s Director of Technical services for touring caravans, motorhomes and campervans – explains why consumers should look for the NCC badge when buying

The NCC badge of approval on the outside of a touring caravan, motorhome or campervan, together with the certificate in the user’s handbook, is recognised throughout the leisure vehicle sector and is proof of a manufacturer's commitment to the safety of its products and its customers.

What does the NCC badge cover?

Road vehicle aspects

It means that the unit has either been:

·      Approved by the vehicle certification agency via the GB vehicle type approval scheme

·      Approved under the GB small series type approval scheme

·      Approved using the individual approval scheme

However just because a motorhome or campervan is listed as a ‘motor caravan’ on the V5 does not necessarily mean the vehicle after conversion has been approved. Currently the DVLA will give the ‘motor caravan’ designation on the V5 using its own unique definition, with no checks undertaken to ensure the vehicle has not been modified in an unsafe manner. Only by buying a vehicle from an NCC-approved manufacturer can you be sure the vehicle has passed these inspections. 

Habitation aspects

It means the unit is:

• Safety checked, including gas and electrical installations, furnishings and cooking equipment 
• Technically checked and regularly inspected by specialists
• Compliant with British and European Standards written by either the British Standards Institute (BSI) or the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN).

NCC inspections are conducted on-site at a manufacturer’s premises and depending upon specification, there may be 500 to 600 individual points checked on any one unit. This inspection process is complemented by surveillance audits at the factory to ensure the products continue to comply with the relevant criteria. As such, the badge provides a reliable benchmark by which product liability can be measured.

Areas covered during an inspection include:

·      Means of escape in an emergency

·      Sleeping in high level bunks

·      Gas installations

·      Low and extra low voltage electrical installations

·      Safe entry into the caravan

·      Installation of appliances

·      Safety ventilation

Only by purchasing a touring caravan, motorhome or campervan from an NCC-approved manufacturer can you be sure all the necessary safety checks have been undertaken.

A list of manufacturers and models covered by the NCC can be found here.