Buying a Secondhand Motorhome

My first motorhome was secondhand and I can share my buying experience and why a used motorhome can be a great way to start.

Should I Buy a Secondhand Motorhome? Yes, it is a great start to motor homing, less expensive than a new motorhome and opens the possibility to travel to and stay in places you otherwise wouldn’t see. A secondhand motorhome can be great value.

There are several important things to consider when deciding to buy a used motorhome, especially if this is your first time. What follows comes from my own experience of buying secondhand.

What to Look for When Buying a Secondhand Motorhome

Buying a used motorhome is like buying a used car, but you need to take more time and care with selection. A car is a car – has four seats that face the same way – but no beds, no kitchen, and no toilet.

A motorhome is a very personal choice and what you decide will depend on several factors.

The first consideration is the size. How many people will be travelling in the motorhome, will give you a starting point. A couple won’t need as much space as a family of five. A motorhome may be advertised as ‘sleeps six’ but has only four seatbelts for travel.

The layout is one of the most important things to look at and we have some thoughts on that below.

The vehicle needs to be roadworthy with a valid MoT certificate unless you intend to take a battered motorhome and do some substantial work.

Unlike a car, age isn’t so much of a consideration with a motorhome. The majority of older motorhomes are likely to have low mileage for the year, as they are not generally used every day as a car. When I bought my motorhome, it was 19 years old, in great condition and with just 73,000km/ 45,300 miles on the clock – that’s less than 2,400 miles a year – barely run-in!

An older vehicle is likely to see a little wear and tear, with perhaps the odd mark on the bodywork. Unless you want something pristine, you can probably put up with a little patina.

Look at the living area. Is it clean and tidy? Will there be enough storage space? Can everyone travelling sit and relax in the evening, without digging each other in the ribs? Is there plenty of room for all those bottles of wine?

What are the Pitfalls in Buying a Used Motorhome?

Many motorhome owners when asked this question, say that they chose the wrong internal layout for their first van and that was their biggest mistake.

With a second-hand vehicle, the only history you will know is what the seller tells you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about where they have been and what problems they have had during their ownership. While most people are fairly honest but try not to be taken in.

An older vehicle may be less mechanically sound than a new one, however, most motorhomes will have reasonably low mileage for their year of manufacture.

Ask if the vehicle has been sitting still for any period of time. With a diesel engine, this could mean the jets have become clogged and that the engine will need a service.

Motorhome vs Campervan

The major differences between a motorhome and a campervan will be size, space, and cost.

A campervan may be very basic and will lack many home comforts, such as a proper toilet and may have limited cooking facilities. Unless it comes with an extending roof, you may not be able to stand up straight inside.

A campervan may work well for a couple, but add more people, a dog, and things are going to become crowded. You may need to erect an awning or tent each night, which may not always be possible. This is one reason they are called camper vans – to sleep, you may need to erect a tent.

A motorhome is larger, giving more space overall. However, they will be more expensive to buy and to run.

The solution is to take a look at both campervans and motorhomes and decide what works for you. Other parts of this article apply equally to both styles of a van when it comes to choosing and how to buy.

Should I Buy Nearly new?

There can be advantages here.

Some owners sell their vehicle when it is less than a couple of years old. This could be because they didn’t like it, one of the partners has died, or because there is a lot wrong with it.

Buying after a year or so means that the first owner takes the first major hit with the depreciation, meaning that you can save a considerable amount on something which is close to new.

Always ask why a person is selling something which is almost new – and what is wrong with it. The simple answer may just be that they didn’t like the motorhome life, the layout was wrong, or that their personal circumstances changed.

Layout, Layout, Layout

When buying a house, it all about location, location, location. With a motorhome, everything is about the layout.

But how will you know what is right for you? The answer is not to rush and buy the first secondhand motorhome you see.

Go to two or three of the motorhome shows and sit in as many new motorhomes as possible. After trying 50 or more, (yes, really do this), you will have an idea of which motorhome layout is best for you.

Your challenge then is to find a used motorhome with one of the layouts you prefer. While you may have to compromise a little, stick to your decision on layout, as you may come to regret buying a van that isn’t right for you.

Ask yourself some questions about the living area. How many beds do you need? Is a fixed over-the-cab bed best, or are you happy to make them up each night? Do you prefer a rear-end kitchen or one down the side? What lounge configuration works for you the best? Are there enough tables? Is the shower large enough to turn around it – some aren’t. What length van do you need for your travels – big isn’t always better.

What Make of Used Motorhome Should I Buy?

In many respects, it doesn’t matter.

There are dozens of manufacturers and models change each year, so it is difficult to make a specific suggestion.

What is more important than the make, is whether the motorhome suits your needs. Does the motorhome feel right? If so, then perhaps that is the one for you.

Another consideration is whether you will spend most of your time in mainland Europe, or purely in the UK. This brings up whether to buy a left-hand drive or a right-hand drive. Although I live in the United Kingdom, I bought a left-hand drive motorhome, as I wanted to travel further into Europe. Driving a lefty in the UK is just as easy as a right-hand drive.

13 Things to Check When Buying a Secondhand Motorhome

1. Is the layout exactly right for you
2. Take for a test drive (make sure you are insured)
3. Check everything in the bathroom works
4. Lay on the beds to see if they are comfortable
5. Set up any pull-out beds
6. Check inside and out for any damage
7. Do an HPI check to make sure it isn’t stolen
8. Ask for repair receipts and all MoT test reports
9. Test the gas rings, fridge, and heating all work
10. Have a damp test carried out before buying
11. Is storage practical?
12. Have a good sniff – if musty, that could be damp
13. Haggle!

Buying a Motorhome Privately

Make sure the seller owns the vehicle. Always buy from their home and look at the V5C document to make sure the address is the same. Ask the owner to show you their driving licence and make sure it matches the V5C. Remember, however, that a V5C at the right address, doesn’t mean the person actually owns the vehicle. If the owner insists on bringing the vehicle to you, this could be a red flag and that the vehicle is stolen. If any of this seems the slightest bit suspicious, walk away.

A private purchase is going to be cheaper than a dealer but comes without any guarantees or warranty.

Most private sellers will have taken good care of their van and will be proud to show it off to you. Ask them why they are selling.

Always ask to see copies of any MoT tests going back over time and receipts for services. Check the service history – is it stamped by a dealer?

Before you travel to see the van, ask the owner for the registration number. You can then search the DVLA website to see the vehicle’s MoT history.

Buying a Motorhome from a Dealer

The advantage of buying secondhand from a motorhome dealer is that the van will come with some form of warranty. Ask for details of what the warranty covers and make sure you see this in writing. Warranties can just for just three months, or an insurance-based warranty that lasts up the three years.

A dealer should have done all the necessary checks on the condition, damp testing, engine service and a thorough clean. However, be aware that like cars, there are some dealers who are better than others.

If there are some small defects that the dealer agrees to fix, make sure you have that in writing to save any later disputes when you collect the van.

Dealers are legally required to make sure that any motorhome they sell is safe and roadworthy.

As with a private purchase, inspect all the documentation carefully.

Buying from a dealer is going to be more expensive than a private purchase but may give you more confidence that your new pride and joy will take you as far as your home without breaking down.

Ask how long the vehicle has been in stock. You may be able to haggle on the price, which is always worth trying.

Found the One You Want?

Take some time to sit in the motorhome and move around. Make sure you have a good feeling for everything. A good dealer will leave you alone for a while, where a private buyer may be a little more anxious.

You’ll be spending a long time in your motorhome in the future, so a short time now can be very valuable to make sure to make you have made the right purchasing decision.

You are more likely to spend more time sitting in a prospective motorhome than you do in a house you are looking to buy.

Collecting Your Motorhome

The deal is done. The money is transferred. Congratulations – you are now the proud owner of a motorhome.

Your biggest mistake now would be to take the keys and drive away. You can do that with a car after five minutes, but not with a motorhome.

Whether you bought privately or from a dealer, you need to do the same thing now. Don’t be fobbed off by the owner, or especially by the dealer, saying they are busy – you need to go through a proper handover.

The owner or dealer needs to give you a detailed tour of the motorhome and all the little things you need to know. You will find it best to be both shown and physically do the checks, so you understand fully. Light the heater yourself; remove and replace the toilet cassette. Open the roll-out canopy, rather than just being told how it works.

Take pictures as you go, or have your partner do that. Record the whole conversation on your phone. You won’t remember every detail, as there is a lot to take in. If there are two of you, do everything together, as two heads are better than one. Take as long as you need and don’t be hurried.

Here is a list of the main point to learn.

25 Questions to Ask When Collecting Your Motorhome

1. Check all of the keys work everywhere
2. Where is the water fill point?
3. Fuel filler cap and key
4. The bonnet opening lever and catch
5. Fully set up any rollout awning
6. Emptying the wastewater tank
7. The gas bottle cabinet
8. Light the fridge from gas
9. Light the heater/hot water
10. Test all kitchen gas rings and oven
11. Using the mains hook-up
12. Where is the fuse box?
13. Where are the leisure batteries?
14. Set up any pull-out beds
15. How the habitation control panel works
16. Does the water flow in the kitchen and bathroom?
17. Removing the toilet cassette
18. Using any immobiliser fitted
19. What are the key codes?
20. Test the TV and radio
21. Jacking points and how to change a tyre
22. Check all lights inside and out
23. Check all of the paperwork carefully
24. Complete the V5C form with the owner
25. Do you have all the manuals?

These are guidelines rather than an exhaustive list and there may be other questions to ask or things shown to you by the now previous owner.

Enjoy your new purchase and safe travels.