Research free advice tips buying motorhomes campervans caravans

Advice tips for buying motorhomes campervans caravans. Having had a wealth of experience in buying cars we decided to turn our attention to leisure vehicles and in particular motorhomes and campervans. The lockdown experience showed that the online buying experience was going to be here to stay. Click and collect became the buzzwords and now look like what many manufacturers will see as the norm in the near future. Every day we hear the old school telling us the customers will want to see before they buy and that distance selling rules will stop some dealers from selling online. However, all that being said we are where we are and we are building a real help functionality for anyone to join us and make buying a leisure vehicle both easy and memorable. Our owner has worked on large projects in the past and as we see our website grow in content and visitors we aim to be the leisure vehicle portal to go and see first. Take a look at things that we get involved with our advertisers.

Do your research this is the most important part of buying any leisure vehicle

Here at motorhomes campervans, we get all sorts of questions and FAQ questions on all leisure vehicle topics. In conversation with Engineer aftercare, we discussed ways of helping people find answers to those questions. The most asked questions are usually after the event. Clearly, with so many new motorhome owners, buying motorhomes, and helping them before buying mistakes are made is what we aim to do. We have set up some FAQ questions and answers hopefully to help before a purchase takes place. Making sure the types of warranty and breakdown covers are in place and about peace of mind. That is where Engineer Aftercare comes into help as they are FCA approved and can help provide advice and solutions to what may be needed. Motorhomes Campervans continues to support our advertisers, which is why we have started to develop these pages. They will be links to many services that can help anyone buying or selling motorhomes, campervans or caravans.

Buying any leisure vehicle may be very stressful

Buying a motorhome or campervan can be very stressful. Why you may well ask? This is likely to be your largest purchase after your house so doesn’t get it wrong as that may be very costly. Take your time and follow the guidelines below to ten points may help to reassure you

  1. know who you are dealing with
  2. make it clear what you want to buy
  3.  arrange a test drive and demo
  4. be clear about any part exchange
  5. discuss finance
  6. warranty and aftercare info
  7. discuss insurance and any GAP
  8. storage will it fit in the drive
  9. is the layout right for you
  10. if in doubt do nought

You are more than likely to find that buying a leisure vehicle will become your 2nd largest purchase. After buying a house with or without a mortgage! Doing research is important to make sure you have good information. So, start with a check on the DVLA, followed by looking for any warranty information. Leisure vehicle reviews with videos will help get an idea of layouts and berths including, payloads and dimensions. You can look at vehicles for generalised warranty claim information for most models on forums. Following on from the info found will enable a start looking at valuations and comparing actual prices.

  • DVLA vehicle information checks hold basic info on MOT chassis types and engine sizes
  • HPI checks information on outstanding finance
  • Stolen recovered or any accident damage
  • Check prices for similar vehicles with dealers or other sellers
  • Auto Trader, e Bay and Gumtree have prices
  • MMM magazine has a lot of pricing information

Do your research on the vehicle dimensions will it fit on the drive?

Completely ignore the layout, the ergonomics and the shiny exterior. That is something to do when deciding on your budget, and the layout functionality before planning to buy your actual leisure vehicle. So, when you have the vehicle layout, style, number of beds and budget look at the actual steps to buying a motorhome you have found. Never view a prospective vehicle when it is raining! Unless the dealership can let you see it indoors in their large, dry and well-lit workshops! You may want to consider a detailed review by a registered engineer to give you a wort’s and all assessment of the habitation condition the motor section can be done as well especially if the MOT is under 3 months to run.

  • Motorhome Tyers many leisure vehicles are stored when not in use this can damage the tyres and then fail the MOT
  • A set of motorhome tyres can cost circa £800!
  • Many motorhomes have a get you home own solution
  • Many have no spare wheel
  • We recommend taking out a breakdown cover
  • Will the vehicle fit on the drive?
  • Where will you store the vehicle?

What driving license do I need?

We are constantly asked about driving licences and good reason too. There are factors to take into account. Hopefully, when you reach 70 years of age, you will need to renew your driving licence, a standard renewal procedure leaves a C1 entitlement to drive motorhomes between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg and is not covered then by your licence. The solution is to ask your doctor or GP to fill in a medical report form D4. Assuming you pass, you can continue to drive the over 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg motorhomes. They will charge you a fee! When you reach 70, your licence expires, that does not mean you have to stop driving. Just renew your driving licence and continue driving. Thereafter renewal will be every 3 years and is free of charge. If in doubt, your friendly motorhome dealer, will be on hand to help you. They know the motorhome weights and licence issues.

  • The category C1 driving license is for motorhomes with a maximum authorized mass (MAM) of between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg! The trailer is up to 750 kg category C1. If the trailer is heavier then 750 kg C1+E will be required
  • The category C driving licence is for a MAM of above 7.5 kg then category C is required on your licence. You are able to tow a trailer that is no heavier than 750 kg. Above the weight, you will need category C+E
  • Having passed a test before 1996 and under the age of 70. You will have a C1 license. However, when 71, you will have to take the test again. If you took a test after 1997, you have to take a test to obtain a C1 licence

Advice top tips for buying motorhomes campervans

Buying a motorhome is no small investment! So, buying safely and wisely is very important to ensure you save money on unnecessary expenses making your investment value secure if you came to sell the vehicle in the future. We always recommend buying from a quality dealership like Dyce Caravans or a Broker such as Motorhome Depot. Buying private is the same process and maybe needs more care. Buying from a recognised dealership will be safer than buying privately, but follow these simple steps, and hopefully, you can get the vehicle you want safely.

Do your research on what history is available

If there is no documented history with the motorhome that you are interested in, then maybe place that one on hold. If a document has the odd year is missing, then make sure that the vehicle has had an appropriate full/interim service within two years or 20,000 miles and an AWS Habitation service in the last 12 months. Visually check the vehicle details. Get practical and sit in the cab area. Press every switch and ensure everything works. If nothing happens, ask what the switch should do and why it’s not working. In the Cab, are there any engine warning lights flashing or is the service light on? The issue might be a small one, such as a faulty switch, but it might be a replacement bed motor which can cost hundreds of pounds! Switch on the gas cooker, open the fridge/freezer, turn on the oven and check the water systems and waste/toilet. Do they all work as they should?

  • Understand how things work with many videos on setups online
  • You will find videos on motorhomes and campervans
  • Handover videos following the pandemic disruptions can be helpful
  • Owners on forums can be just as helpful, on how things work

Check out the documentation

Review the full documentation, there is a lot of information online and there are 2 types of documents that should be with a motorhome. The motor section service history provides vehicle maintenance, the same as a car service to the engine, gearbox etc. The habitation checks service history and maintains the Habitation section including the white goods and records appliances for safety and functionality. If a vehicle has missed any required services under a manufacturer warranty, then any cover from them maybe now void! A tip on motor service history! We recently had a vehicle based in Surrey, with owners from the South, but the service history said the previous services were carried out in Glasgow. That vehicle had clearly had the documents stamped fraudulently with a rogue stamp, so check the documents in detail. And never be afraid to ask searching questions!

  • For instance, a Habitation check is needed every year to enjoy the manufacturer’s 10-year water ingress cover
  • If the previous owner missed a year because the vehicle wasn’t used, that warranty is no longer valid
  • Consider an approved Workshops Scheme (AWS) pre-purchase inspection including documents and records
  • Engineer Aftercare Warranty will cover that during any warranty period on vehicles up to 7 years old

Buying your leisure vehicles from dealers

If you are buying from a Dealership, look at the vehicles are they clean and shining or dirty? Look at the workshop are they well laid out, clean and well organised? These are signs of a quality Dealer or other. How much warranty will they give you if you buy an expensive vehicle? If only 3 or 6 months ask for 12 months’ cover and ask who provides that warranty. Because a 12 months warranty cover means the dealership is confident in the preparation of that vehicle. Also, it is the ability to be very unlikely to have early issues during your ownership. Ask for details of the PDI (pre-delivery inspection) that will provide information.

  • Who provides claim service in the event of issues?
  • The dealer will be fine if your motorhome is at home or near them
  • But if they are in Hull and you are in Cornwall, then what?
  • If you have to drive back to Hull for a malfunctioning cooker, that could spoil your holiday.

That is why Engineer Aftercare Warranty comes with a full, AWS-approved workshop facility to call on any one of over 500 approved workshops, UK-wide. We hope this advice will help you, the owner, to make an informed decision on buying a quality and well-maintained motorhome to enjoy many years of great holidays. Things to expect from motorhome dealers;

  • Part exchanges getting a PX price from a dealer
  • Find out more about motor finance
  • Check what motorhome insurance is available
  • Motorhome warranty see what is on offer
  • Breakdown cover what is covered?
  • Sell for cash and get a discount

Advice top tips buying motorhomes campervans caravans

An Engineer Aftercare Warranty is designed to provide peace of mind when buying a quality leisure vehicle. Especially for leisure vehicles that have been properly maintained and a new owner is looking for certainty. It is the most important thing to have holidays with your family. A quality warranty will not give you the peace of mind you want from a poorly maintained vehicle because several failures of components will spoil your holiday, whoever pays for a repair! (See more below on warranty). We have listed our top tips to prompt buyers, then added some further advice at the bottom for more information and advice on buying a motorhome, visit motorhomescampervans.net.

Negotiation the information provides key details

If you get here and feel completely happy with a particular vehicle, sit down in the vehicle and discuss how much they want and how much you are willing to pay. Hopefully, you can find common ground and settle on a price. This is the point where your previous research will pay dividends, if the buyer is asking too much money, then explain you have seen other vehicles at X price and try to find that agreed value.

  • Never meet and hand over the cash
  • There is a limit to how much cash can be paid to a dealer
  • Buy using a card with bank permission (Ideally a credit card)
  • BACS to a recognised bank account in the dealer or person’s name.
  • Never pay until you have the documents
  • Make sure all sets of keys work
  • Make sure it is the actual vehicle
  • Carry out all those checks we have pointed out

Find information from videos like “we buy any motorcaravan”

We get access to some great motorhome videos from vendors like “we buy any motorcaravan” these are ideal for researching what specifications are all about. Layouts are to hand to discover all sorts of information.

Looking for some help just fill in the form

We have motorhome dealers who will help you especially if you are looking for a brand new motorhome or campervan dealers like Derby motorhomes who sell new Auto-Sleepers and McLouis fusions they have vast experience and offer free advice and access to used motorhomes taken in part exchanged.