2013 Thor ACE 6.8L Petrol · 8 RMR

A sole recorded MOT failure on this 2013 Thor Ace concerns the rear brake pads, which were found on 9 August 2023 to have worn dangerously below 1.5 mm on the nearside, accompanied by major defects for an inoperative registration plate lamp and a non-functioning nearside rear direction indicator on the offside. The vehicle subsequently passed on 16 August 2023 with no defects recorded, and has since passed cleanly on 20 May 2021, 4 April 2022, 5 December 2024 and most recently on 27 February 2026, suggesting the brake and lamp issues were remedied promptly and have not recurred. Earlier records do show minor electrical and headlamp aim concerns, with a nearside headlamp aim being flagged as too high on 26 May 2020, though the same-day test recorded an advisory for a nail in the rear outer tyre and was ultimately a pass. Two further tyre advisories appeared on 4 April 2022, covering a nearside front tyre worn close to the legal limit on the outer edge and another nail in the offside front, indicating a repeated pattern of kerb-edge wear and minor tyre damage rather than any structural or mechanical deterioration. With 22,353 miles recorded over thirteen years, the vehicle has averaged only 1,719 miles annually, which is well below typical usage for a motorhome of this age and points to either long periods of standing or only occasional touring use. The MOT testing record itself shows no multi-year gaps, with tests appearing in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 (twice), 2024 and 2026, suggesting the vehicle has been kept on the road continuously even if driven sparingly. Mechanically, such low mileage raises familiar concerns about components that degrade with age rather than use, including brake discs corroding on the surface, flexible brake hoses perishing, coolant and brake fluid losing effectiveness, and rubber seals and suspension bushes hardening or cracking through lack of regular load cycling. The absence of corrosion-related advisories on the recorded tests is reassuring, but it does not exclude age-related degradation between tests, particularly given that motorhomes of this era often carry wet or plywood-backed body panels that can mask underlying chassis condition. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the braking system, as the only recorded dangerous defect involved rear pads worn below the legal minimum. On inspection, the rear discs should be checked for lipped edges, pitting or surface corrosion that would necessitate machining or replacement, and the calipers examined for seized sliders or binding pistons that may have caused the uneven pad wear recorded in 2023. The front brake set-up should be similarly inspected, and a firm pedal with no judder or pull under braking is the expected outcome. Given the advisories for front tyre edge wear, the nearside front should be closely examined for any remaining feathering or uneven shoulder wear, and all four tyres checked for age-related cracking in the sidewalls regardless of tread depth. During a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the suspension over uneven surfaces, which would suggest worn bushes, drop links or anti-roll bar components, and feel for any vagueness or wandering in the steering that could indicate worn track rod ends or steering damper issues. Electrical integrity is also worth confirming given the registration plate lamp and indicator failures in 2023, with all exterior lighting, including side repeaters and the rear number plate illumination, verified as functional before purchase. Given the low annual mileage, it is prudent to check the condition of the auxiliary habitation electrics and 12V leisure system separately, as these fall outside MOT scope but are central to the vehicle's purpose, and to confirm that the engine coolant, brake fluid and engine oil have been changed within their respective intervals rather than left untouched during periods of low use.