Should I buy a second hand motorhome?

Buying a motorhome can be a very expensive thing to do, but one way to save yourself a little bit of money is to look at buying second-hand motorhomes or camper vans.

So why should I buy a used motorhome?

Many people like to buy brand-new items – especially vehicles – because they worry about the condition of second-hand goods. However, while ordinary commercial vehicles can live a very hard life – being used and abused out on the road and racking up very high mileages – motorhomes tend to lead a gentler existence.

With 2nd hand motorhomes for sale, you’ll tend to find that these vehicles have been the pride and joy of their previous owners, who will have faithfully cared for and maintained them, generally to a very high standard.

As a result, used motorhomes will tend to be in far better condition than secondhand commercial vans of a similar age, will have a much smaller mileage on the clock, and will have been serviced regularly.

Cosmetically, used motorhomes and campers tend to be very well looked after, too – you don’t tend to find dings, dents, or rust on a used motorhome… at least not one that’s relatively new.

How much does a used motorhome cost?

How much a used motorhome costs is very much dependent on your budget – but price is not necessarily linked to size. In fact, some bigger used vans can be cheaper than more compact examples, as smaller vans tend to be more popular – they are easier to drive, simpler to park and often cheaper to run.

As a rule of thumb, though, you’ll need to spend at least £25,000 to find a used van in really good condition. Go for a popular, nearly new van from a well regarded high-end manufacturer, though, and you can easily spend a six-figure sum.

Where is the best place to buy used motorhomes?

Just as with passenger cars or commercial vehicles, you can buy used motorhomes from online auctions or via classified listings websites. But because a motorhome is such a specialist vehicle, it is very much worth purchasing from a reputable dealer with specialist motorhome knowledge.

What are the most reliable motorhomes?

There are two aspects to motorhome manufacture when considering reliability – the original base vehicle on which the motorhome is built, and the reliability of the coachbuilder/converter who created the finished product.

In general, the base vehicles motorhomes use tend to be pretty robust, but the build quality of the motorhome aspect of the vehicle can be a little more variable. In general, look for a large, established brand with a good track record and a long history and you’ll tend to find a reliable motorhome. It’s also worth being wary of homemade conversions as it's hard to know the provenance of these vehicles.

If you are looking for reliability information on specific coachbuilders or manufacturers, then it is worth checking out owner satisfaction surveys from specialist media like practicalmotorhome.com.

What should you watch out for in a used motorhome?

Here are a few key things to look out for when considering the purchase of a used motorhome:

Warranty

If it’s a newer motorhome, check if there’s still any warranty available on the van. Be aware, too, that there may be a different warranty for the bodywork than for the vehicle part of the outfit. These different warranties can also last for different timescales, too.

Maintenance based on time not miles

Motorhomes tend not to cover many miles, so be careful to ensure routine service and maintenance work has been carried out according to time rather than mileage – there are plenty of parts that could deteriorate due to age as well as use.

Water ingress on coachbuilt vans

If the motorhome has a coachbuilt body, check carefully for any signs of water ingress where there are joins in the body, especially where the body meets the chassis.

Fixtures and fittings

As well as ensuring the proper maintenance has been carried out on the main vehicle systems, check the same is true for all the fixtures and fittings – the boiler and water system, electrics and kitchen appliances.

Signs of botched DIY work

Look out for signs that a previous owner has taken maintenance into their own hands – the systems in a motorhome require specialist maintenance and repair.

Can you live permanently in a motorhome in the UK?

It is absolutely possible to live in a motorhome on a full-time basis in the UK. The only requirement is that your vehicle is fully road legal, with an MOT, and the relevant insurance cover.

Be aware though that you may not be able to sleep in it depending on local laws. As a result, finding an all-season campsite pitch could prove the biggest hurdle when thinking about living full-time in a motorhome or camper van.