Rear camera in the brake light for vans: how to install it

Parking a people carrier or a mid-size van has one obvious problem: you see absolutely nothing through the interior mirror. Add a bulkhead, a load or blanked-out windows and the manoeuvre becomes a matter of guesswork and hearing. That is why the rear camera is by far the accessory most appreciated by people who spend the day loading and unloading in town.

The question is where to put it. Number plate cameras are in plain sight, get covered in mud and are the first thing to be knocked when you open the rear doors. The cleanest alternative is a camera built into the third brake light: you replace the original light with an identical part that already has the camera inside, with no drilling, no adhesive pads and nothing hanging off the tailgate.

What is a brake light camera?

It is a replacement part with the same shape, the same size and the same connector as your van's third brake light, but with an HD camera built into the centre. You swap one for the other in a few minutes, the LED brake light keeps working exactly as before and you gain a rear image on your head unit's screen.

Its advantages over a conventional camera are quite clear:

• High position: sitting at the top of the tailgate, you see more ground and more width than from the number plate, which is exactly what you need in a long van.
• It is invisible: from the outside it looks like the factory brake light, so it does not draw attention or invite anyone to rip it off.
• Installation without holes: no drilling into bodywork, no glued brackets, and it is completely reversible.
• Less dirt: being up high it gets far less mud than a camera next to the number plate.

Compatibility: which vans accept it

The HD brake light camera in our catalogue is made for the PSA/Stellantis van family and its Toyota twin, which share the tailgate and brake light:

• Peugeot Traveller (2016-2024) and Peugeot Expert IV (2016-2024).
• Citroën Jumpy III (2016-2024) and Citroën SpaceTourer (2016-2024).
• Opel/Vauxhall Zafira Life (2019-2024) and Vivaro C (2019-2024).
• Toyota ProAce and ProAce Verso (2016-2024).

The part measures approximately 261.5 × 31.5 mm. Before ordering, compare the shape of your brake light and its connector with the product photos: earlier generations (Expert II and III, Jumpy I and II, Vivaro A and B) use a different light and will not fit. If in doubt, send us a photo of the open tailgate on WhatsApp and we will confirm it free of charge.

What you need to install it

• A screen with an RCA/AV video input. Every Android and CarPlay head unit has one. If you still have the original radio, take a look at our selection of screens: there are units made for vans.
• A video cable from the tailgate to the head unit. The run is long in these vans, so a generous cable such as the 10-metre RCA cable is a good idea.
• A reverse light feed if you want the image to appear by itself when you select reverse.
• Basic tools: screwdriver, plastic trim tools and cable ties.

How to install it step by step

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
2. Open the tailgate and remove the inner trim panel to reach the back of the third brake light.
3. Undo the original light (usually two or three nuts) and unplug its connector.
4. Fit the new camera-light in the same opening and plug in the brake light connector: the lighting will keep working exactly as before.
5. Route the video cable through the rubber boot between the tailgate and the body. This is the trickiest step: if you leave it tight it will break with use, so leave some slack and follow the original loom.
6. Run the cable along the roof or the side trim to the dashboard, securing it with cable ties every 30-40 cm.
7. Connect the RCA to the camera input of the screen and the trigger wire to the reverse light feed.
8. Test before closing up: brake light, image on screen and automatic switching when you select reverse.

Allow one to two hours if you take your time. What takes longest is not the camera itself but routing the cable neatly so it does not show and does not end up trapped by the tailgate.

Is it worth it compared with a number plate camera?

If your van is used professionally and you park on the street every day, yes. A number plate camera is exposed to knocks, gets dirty constantly and is often fitted with adhesive that eventually gives up in the cold. The brake light camera costs a little more, but it is protected, invisible, needs no holes and gives a far more useful angle from up high.

And if you drive a car rather than a van, you will find the full comparison of camera types in our reversing camera guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do I lose the third brake light?
No. The new part has the LED light in the same place and connects to the original brake feed, so you still meet the lighting requirements.

Does it work with any head unit?
Yes, with any Android or CarPlay screen that has an RCA/AV video input, which is virtually 100 % of those on the market.

Does it survive pressure washing?
Yes, it is IP68. Even so, avoid aiming the lance directly at the connector from very close range.

Can you see well at night?
Yes, it has enhanced night vision and works with the van's own reversing light.

Will it fit my older Vivaro?
No. It only fits the Vivaro C (2019 onwards) and its twins. Earlier generations use a different brake light and connector.

See the brake light rear camera for vans

You will find the exact dimensions, photos of the connector and the full list of compatible vans on the product page for the HD rear camera in the brake light. If you are not sure about your generation, send us a photo of the tailgate on WhatsApp and we will confirm compatibility before you order.