Guide
Is a habitation check a legal requirement? No, but a warranty may need one
Updated
A habitation check is not a legal requirement in the UK: Brownhills states there are no laws requiring motorhome owners to have one regularly. The MOT is the legal test, and gov.uk caps its fee for a motor caravan at £54.85.
The MOT is the legal test
A motor caravan is a class 4 vehicle that needs its first MOT at 3 years old, at a maximum fee of £54.85 with no VAT (gov.uk). The MOT checks the road-going vehicle, not the gas, water or damp in the living area.
Source: gov.uk
Why owners book one anyway
Happy Camper Group says six to ten year water-ingress warranties generally carry one condition: an approved workshop inspects the vehicle once a year and records it in the service book (Happy Camper Group). Brownhills adds that the check usually has to fall within a set period of the registration or last service date (Brownhills).
Your own duty
Brownhills notes the owner must still make sure the gas and electrical systems pose no threat to users (Brownhills). The Approved Workshop Scheme lists independently assessed workshops and mobile engineers (Approved Workshop Scheme).