Second hand motorhome buyers guide: buying privately
The majority of people will purchase second hand motorhomes through a dealership as you get a certain level of security and the reassurance that if something goes wrong mechanically straight away, you can generally go back to the dealership for a repair or replacement. However, many motorhomers prefer to buy from private sellers, as there are some real bargains to be had if you are willing to do the leg work yourself.
The first thing to bear in mind when looking for a motorhome privately is that the hunt for the right ‘van is going to take longer than if you simply visited a few dealerships, so be patient and keeps your eyes open for a good deal. It helps if you know which models you are looking for in advance, so make a list of the features you'd like and order them from most important to least, that way you'll be able to narrow your search to a number of different makes and models.
When viewing the motorhome make sure you ask lots of questions, be polite but don't be embarrassed to ask whether there have been any repairs in the past and if these were done at a dealership or by the owner. Generally speaking, it's bodged repair jobs that are going to be the first thing that go wrong, so be sure to check the motorhome carefully and get all the info you need before parting with your cash. Ask to see the vehicles log book, proof of ownership, plus the tax and MOT documents at this stage.
Always check for signs of rust or damaged bodywork on the outside of the motorhome, because as well as being problems for the structural integrity of the motorhome these can also lead to damp inside, as water gets in through the cracks. Once a motorhome has developed damp or mildew on the inside it is very difficult to get rid of and can render the motorhome unusable, so it's vitally important you check carefully on the outside and inside for any signs of damage.
Also make sure you see the motorhome in full working order, this means asking for the beds to be pulled out and turning the electrics on briefly to check that the lights, refrigerator, electric heater etc all seem to be working properly. If the seller refuses to get the beds out or seems reluctant to let you have a good look around on your own then alarm bells should be going off in your ahead, and it may be time to walk away from the purchase.
It isn't likely you're going to be able to drive the motorhome yourself, and in fact this would be illegal unless you have adequate insurance cover but it's worth asking to be taken on a short test drive so you can assess the drive quality of the motorhome. You should be able to listen carefully for grinding gears or squeaking brakes, and of course watch the driver to see if he is struggling with heavy steering, sticking gears or slow acceleration.
Other key things to check are the tires, windscreen, bumpers and wheel arches as these are the areas which are most commonly damaged through normal use, and whilst not a reason to walk away any repairs that you'll need to make after buying should be factored in to your price offer.
As you would when looking at second hand cars, be sure to find out when the motorhome was last serviced and how long until the next MOT is due. Also remember that before you drive away in your newly purchased motorhome it is a legal requirement for you to have adequate insurance cover. Obviously this needs to be arranged after you have purchased the motorhome but before you collect it from the seller, so make sure that the seller knows the situation and you let them know exactly when you'll be collecting it from them.
Also make sure that the insurance you take out covers you for the usage you intend for the motorhome, i.e. if you plan to holiday abroad that European cover is included, and that any motorhome equipment which you may have is also covered. If the motorhome is particularly large or heavy then also consider whether the recovery service that may be offered is capable of towing the vehicle, and ideally go for a company that doesn't have any weight or size restrictions.
Questions and Answers
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