Shopping for a motorhome? 11 important issues to test before you purchase!

Shopping for a motorhome or campervan for the primary time is daunting. There are JUST SO MANY options- and how on earth have you learnt what to search for? And the way have you learnt in case you’ve discovered an excellent one?

While you’re spending a lot cash, it’s necessary to be sure to do the right motorhome checks before you purchase.

In case you’re nonetheless looking for your excellent motorhome or campervan,  seize our FREE motorhome guidelines beneath and be sure to bear in mind to test EVERYTHING you need to!

This submit & guidelines are nonetheless related in case you’re shopping for a motorhome or RV in Europe, USA or elsewhere- simply use the suitable camper phrases! 🙂

*We work arduous to make this the most effective motorhome journey weblog and street journey web site potential, stuffed with useful content material for you. The web site is supported by our readers, so in case you purchase by hyperlinks on this website we could earn a commission- at no additional price to you. All opinions stay our personal.

In case you discover this submit helpful, you’ll be able to also treat us to a coffee – we promise to take pleasure in it whereas creating extra helpful content material like this- we would even take pleasure in a biscuit (or two!)

Shopping for a motorhome guidelines

Need to obtain the guidelines to take with you while you go to look/ purchase? Simply inform us within the field beneath the place to ship it and we’ll e-mail it throughout to you.

Shopping for a motorhome or campervan UK – Exterior checks

While you first stroll across the camper, take the time to look very intently on the exterior situation. This will provide you with a very good indication of whether or not the motorhome has been sorted or seemingly has some issues hiding someplace!

Stroll across the exterior, and search for:

• Scratches on bodywork and on home windows
• Dents
• Free panels or bumpers
• Something which seems to be DIY’d or repaired. Examine these areas rigorously for water ingress or injury.
• Examine all paintwork
• Lacking issues (exterior lights, filler caps and many others)
• Petrol cap- ensure it suits AND locks with the keys
• Gearbox- is it a manual or automatic motorhome gearbox
• Water filler cap- similar
• Make certain drain hoses are linked beneath the van- my first van wasn’t linked correctly and it brought about a proper mess!
• Examine inspection caps on water & waste tank (my Swift Escape 685 didn’t have these fitted! The seller from France needed to ship some over!) 
• Guarantee fuel locker opens & locks
• Examine cab locks manually & mechanically
• TYRES! Make certain there are ‘camper’ tyres fitted- not commonplace automotive tyres. And ensure the tyres are in good situation, not cracked, swollen or broken. 
• Spare wheel or inflation equipment
• Look beneath for oil leaks (or every other leaks!)
• Examine beneath and round exhaust for rust or corrosion
• Guarantee there’s a jack appropriate to raise Motorhome
• Examine all driving lights work- brakes, indicator and many others

If you’re amassing the motorhome after a ready interval (VERY frequent when shopping for a motorhome from a seller or showroom), do these checks AGAIN to ensure no injury has occurred because you agreed to purchase. 

Shopping for a used Motorhome- Inside checks

Let’s be honest- while you first noticed the motorhome, you most likely rushed inside, realised it was excellent, received a rush of adrenaline and have fallen in love. 

Inform me everybody else does that, proper?

In case you’re spending all that cash on a used camper you don’t LOVE, then stroll away and give it some thought for some time because it’s presumably not the fitting van for you. Anyway, I digress…

Now it’s time to place your smart head on. Return inside and LOOK for faults. Discover as many causes as you’ll be able to NOT to purchase it. 

I do know that sounds loopy, however belief me. It is advisable to break the magic bubble and realise that there can be some faults/ drawbacks/ compromises on the inside.

You additionally must be sure to learn about something which isn’t working appropriately so you’ll be able to ask the seller to repair it or negotiate a greater worth with the personal vendor.

In case you’re shopping for a second-hand motorhome, there WILL be issues which don’t work or are damaged. It is advisable to discover them.

Shopping for a used camper- issues to test:

• Hab door (door to important dwelling space) shuts and locks from inside and outside all home windows open, shut & lock from inside
• Identical for sunroof and vents. ESPECIALLY test sunroof whether it is electric- these break very simply!
• Examine home windows open, shut and lock
• The fridge works (see beneath)
• Oven and hob (see beneath)
• Calmly press on ceiling and partitions. Are they ‘spongy’ or do they appear discoloured? (this might point out a leak or dampness)
• Inner electrics energy up- lights and many others. You must have the ability to test this on mains electrical.
• Water pump works AND switches off when water is turned off
• Electrical mattress goes down & up
• Photo voltaic panel- look on the management panel to see if the photo voltaic panel is working
• Discover out the place ALL your motorhome batteries are and visually examine them. Make certain nothing is protecting, touching or capable of fall onto the terminals. You must have 2 batteries minimum- one engine, one leisure.
• The bathroom flushes & study if it makes use of water from the primary water tank or separate filler (if separate, the place is the filler?) Examine for leaks/ bad smell in bathroom
• Which varieties of 12v fuses are used within the energy provide unit & different locations so you will get spares. BUY THEM ASAP– Likelihood is excessive for blowing it in your first trip- particularly in case you’re new to motorhomes and never used to low energy unit. Right here’s a guide on what to do on your first motorhome trip. 
• Examine all cushions there to make up all beds. Typically spare infill cushions are used (and misplaced!) Ask for a demo and be sure to have sufficient to make up all beds on the similar time
• If in case you have a drop-down mattress, ensure there’s a ladder if wanted. Additionally rails to cease youngsters rolling out if required.
• Desk & leg- ensure they match! 
• Window blinds or clip up covers to cowl home windows at evening.
• Blinds & flynets on windows- ensure they work on all home windows 
• Door flynet- many motorhome doorways have a flynet you’ll be able to pull across- and lots of motorhomes have injury to those! If there’s one, test it’s okay. 
• DOES IT SMELL? Are you able to scent mustiness, dampness or something ‘funky’?
• Carry up carpets to test the ground and search for comfortable/ moist/ weak factors

FRIDGE– Ideally, you desire a 3-way fridge which works on electrical, battery and fuel. Phrase of warning- the battery setting often solely works when the engine is switched on and you don’t usually purchase a motorhome with a fuel bottle fitted, so you will have bother checking the fridge on all settings however you need to have the ability to see it engaged on mains.

Flip it on and test it a couple of minutes later- it ought to be getting cool. Motorhome fridges take some time to chill down utterly. 

OVEN/ HOB– the identical applies to the oven and hob. Chances are you’ll not have the ability to check them because of lack of a fuel bottle (until you’re shopping for your motorhome from a personal vendor.) That is the place a guaranty turns into helpful. 
 

purchase a motorhome- what occurs after you’ve agreed a deal?

When you’ve discovered your excellent motorhome, you’ll do a cope with the vendor and most likely prepare assortment at a later date– particularly in case you’re shopping for a brand new or used camper by a motorhome seller.

I extremely advocate utilizing a motorhome seller, however I do know there are many nice offers on market web sites like eBay. Simply beware, there are a LOT of scams on these sites- be very cautious what info you share with individuals you discover on eBay or Gumtree. I extremely advocate utilizing a good agency like Leisure Seller for offers and affords you’ll be able to belief. 

You’ll most likely be requested to pay a deposit. DO NOT DO THIS till you’ve carried out these 2 issues: 

HPI test

ESSENTIAL!!!! Do an HPI test BEFORE you pay any deposit and undoubtedly before you purchase the car outright. You wish to use an organization which checks excellent finance and likewise if the car is stolen.

Don’t belief the seller or personal vendor and don’t belief any present HPI checks or paperwork they could present you- spend the £19.99 and do one your self. We use hpicheck.com however there are many corporations out there.

A motorhome is some huge cash and you’ll lose it if it seems to be stolen/ financed. (Otherwise you’ll find yourself in a authorized battle. Both approach, it’s not going to be enjoyable.)

Severely, please don’t skip this. 

Utilizing a Firm for Pre- Buy Checks

Today, you need to use an organization that particularly carries out pre buy checks on motorhomes – that is one other nice technique to get peace of thoughts to ensure the van isn’t riddled with points previous to committing to purchasing it!

A effectively know respected place to search out somebody in your space for these checks, is the NCC Approved Workshop Scheme. This can be a web site that lists authorized workshops and servicing for the leisure trade for motorhome and caravans.

Examine if the motorhome is an ex-hire car

Examine within the paperwork if the camper has been used as a rent motorhome. It’s not an enormous drawback if it has (my outdated Swift 496 motorhome was ex-hire) but it surely makes selling a motorhome a LOT more durable – as we found!! It’s undoubtedly one thing to know before you purchase so you can also make an knowledgeable choice.

High Motorhome Tip: In case you DO purchase an ex-hire motorhome or campervan, be sure to half trade it to your subsequent camper. Your life can be an entire lot simpler!!! (Sorry- I’m speaking about your subsequent one while you’re simply shopping for this one…!)

Examine your authorized rights to drive the motorhome

You must have carried out this BEFORE you agree to purchase, however simply in case, make actually sure if the car is under or over 3.5 tonnes and what you might be legally allowed to drive. Unsure? Read this

After a interval of impatiently ready, you might want to accumulate your new car. Have you learnt what inquiries to ask? What checks to make on assortment day? What you might want to do earlier than you arrive?

While you’re shopping for your first motorhome, there are such a lot of issues to recollect, so here’s a handy checklist and information that can assist you out. Sure, you’ll be able to obtain it and print it to take it with you on the day- the vendor gained’t thoughts (and in the event that they do- run!)

Purchase used motorhome – fundamental tools

While you purchase a used motorhome from a seller, you need to be supplied with:

• Freshwater hose
• Electrical cable
• Possibly levelling ramps (however not at all times)
• Keys x 2 for everything- test they match!

Bear in mind, you will have computerized locking on the cab, however some vans have handbook locking (with key) hab doorways – don’t overlook this, if this an “multi functional” locking system one thing you need!!! 

You’ll need many different issues earlier than you need to use the motorhome- right here’s a listing of essential motorhome accessories we advocate.

However earlier than you permit, we additionally advocate you:

• Examine oil and water ranges within the engine
• Examine AdBlue whether it is used- in case you’re undecided, FIND OUT!

Shopping for a motorhome or RV from a personal vendor

Oh, I perceive. The financial savings you will get on a motorhome, campervan or RV in case you purchase used from a personal vendor are HUGE! 

We now have checked out a number of motorhomes from personal sellers and the method for purchasing a motorhome is almost the identical as in case you purchase by a motorhome dealer- with one large exception- you most likely gained’t get a guaranty.

This implies you might be shopping for ‘bought as seen’ and any issues you discover after you drive off can be too late.

On this case, you NEED to do your checks VERY rigorously. Additionally, be sure to do a check drive and have an excellent look inside the cabinets and underneath the van. You’re in search of damp, warping and lots of different hidden issues. We at all times advocate asking for a full motorhome habitation check to be carried out earlier than you agree to purchase.

My final motorhome was privately and the motorhome purchaser requested for a hab test earlier than he purchased it. He did should pay the deposit first, which is commonplace, however he was smart asking for one- though he adopted the weblog and sort-of knew who we had been!

A motorhome is an enormous funding. Don’t belief anybody else’s phrase on its situation (even when they’re pals/ household) and belief your judgement. In case you’re undecided, get knowledgeable test and be sure to perceive what the report means. 

Motorhome buyers- paperwork you want earlier than you permit!

When shopping for a motorhome, earlier than you permit the seller (or personal vendor!) you might want to be sure to have the next paperwork:

• V5c slip stuffed in appropriately (similar as a automotive)
• Guarantee info- you’ll most likely must replace this with the corporate your self while you get dwelling
• Service historical past for motorhome
• Receipt for purchase- ensure your particulars and the Registration quantity are appropriate. 
• Instruction Manuals for home equipment if there are any. Most homeowners will hold them however some (like us!) don’t have house to retailer quite a bit, so we solely hold those we really feel can be most helpful!

Purchase Used motorhome or campervan UK- Issues to do before you purchase:

Motorhome Insurance coverage

It is advisable to be sure to are insured the second you get into the car and drive. As quickly as you signal the paperwork, the car is legally yours and MUST be insured until you might be declaring it off-road.

You possibly can, after all, prepare motorhome insurance when you are there, but it surely usually takes some time on the cellphone and you’ll seek for the most effective deal in case you do it upfront.

Motorhome Tax

Once more, car tax turns into your duty while you formally buy the car. That is one thing we frequently do whereas we’re there- it’s very straightforward to set it up on-line and I want to test the paperwork first and make completely certain the car is appropriate (and the registration quantity is true) earlier than we pay the tax.

Simply as an added bit if info, a car over 3.5 tonne is cheaper for street tax.

Inquiries to ask when shopping for a camper

I get it- it’s so tempting to hurry all this and drive off in your new toy in your first motorhome holiday. Heck, possibly you aren’t shopping for your first motorhome and also you suppose you’ll determine all of it out later. 

However attempt to ask these necessary questions BEFORE you permit!

• What’s your peak (not YOUR height- the motorhome’s peak!!)
• Weight of motorhome dry (how a lot it weighs with out gas, water, stuff and people- though typically the driving force is included)
• Is it over 3.5 tonnes?
• What’s the motorhome weight limit and payload– how a lot STUFF, gas, water, individuals you’ll be able to placed on board earlier than it goes over its weight restrict. 
• Petrol or diesel- helpful to know!

Shopping for your first motorhome – Driving off for the primary time

Okay, right here is it- your large second!! You’re about to tug away in your first motorhome. 

STOP. 

Take your time. This isn’t the second to impress individuals along with your wonderful boy (or woman) racer abilities. In case you’ve by no means pushed a motorhome earlier than, it could really feel extremely intimidating- greater than you would possibly count on. 

• Arrange your seat so it’s snug. Examine mirrors are appropriate for you. 
• Have a look at your FUEL status- you’d be amazed how many individuals run out of gas on their first motorhome journey!
• Examine clutch, chunk level & brakes
• Be sure to know the right way to reverse- there’s a excessive likelihood you’ll want this in your first journey, even when it’s simply to park up. A motorhome reversing or rear-view camera is important.
• REMEMBER YOUR WIDE ASS. Severely, motorhomes are LONG- even the little ones. And wider than you is perhaps used to. It takes some time to get used to it.
• Know the place you’re going. Arrange the motorhome sat nav (these are our favourites) and know BEFORE YOU SET OFF which approach you might be turning out of the dealership or parking space. It’s really easy to get it mistaken. After which you need to flip round…

And that’s it! Congratulations in your new motorhome. Don’t overlook to get your free guidelines!

If you would like additional assist, here’s a step-by-step guide to your first trip. Learn by it earlier than your first journey so that you might be ready! 
 

Subsequent steps

In case you’d like some extra assist determining what car to get (and the right way to purchase the RIGHT one for you), seize a duplicate of our Complete Beginners guide to Motorhome Buying here– a course of movies, downloadable eBook and worksheets that can assist you make the BEST choice for YOU!

Extra issues that can assist you transfer forwards:

FREE Guidelines

Sharing is caring!