Just bought our first motorhome (1 Viewer)

[SaschandGin]

Well, we have made the jump and are buying a 2004 FIAT DUCATO CI CARIOCA 656 MOTORHOME 6 BERTH. Not exactly sure what that means but it's a start!

Before it's too late, anyone have any ideas of things we should check on before swapping money for van?

Also if anyone has any contacts for storage around West Yorkshire area (don't mind a bit of a drive) then please let us know.

Sooo excited!!! Wish we weren't going to South Africa next week!

We are "risking" it this time as we are buying private. Fingers crossed if it is a good deal but will keep you informed of our adventures (even if they are before the MH even moves oh:

 

[bobandjanie]

Hi, are you buying from a dealer with a warranty or private sale ? If its private I would be thinking about having a habitation check done just in case it has damp, its worth the money because it will save a lot of stress if it has got damp problems.

Our daughter is after a van to convert, we have got to look at one this afternoon, so if it has any problems it will all be our fault. oh:

Apart from that good luck with your purchase, and enjoy your new adventures, look forward to meeting you both at a rally or meet sometime. :thumb: Bob and Jane.

 

[Carol]

A really exciting time, make sure the salesman runs through everything with you, the battery / water pump / the heating system, if possible stay on a site close to the dealer the first night then any problems you could go back the next day and get sorted out. Any questions you have before you go to pick it up write them down, its so easy to forget the simplest things in the excitement of the moment.

Have a good holiday in S. Africa, then enjoy the motorhome when you get back.

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[Phill D]

as its a private buy i would agree with the post above on damp check but also get the owner to demonstrate everything working, hob, heater, etc etc, i had a 2007 CI carioca, nice entry level van my main gripe was the sealing around the habitation door as its fairly basic so worth a check. hope all goes well:thumb:​

 

[Jim]

Before you part with any money
Buying a used Motorhome can be a risky business. Each year too many people buy second hand motorhomes that have had their mileage reduced or are incorrectly described, they might even be stolen or still on finance. In some cases the buyer can end up thousands of pounds out of pocket or even worse, putting their lives in danger.

Check The Motorhome Is Not Subject To Outstanding Finance?
I read somewhere that 24 out of every 100 vehicles checked by HPI are subject to outstanding finance! This represents a massive risk. You might buy in good faith, but if the vehicle is owned by a finance company then you will never own it no matter how much you paid. A HPI check will tell you if there is any outstanding finance on the vehicle. It is not just private sellers that might sell a vehicle that is still financed. Traders have been known to ‘forget’ to pay of outstanding finance when they buy in!

Is it stolen?
Buying a stolen motorhome will result in you losing both the motorhome and the money you paid for it. British motorhomes made after 2001 – should each have a unique Motorhome Identification Number (MIN) and a 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) A HPI check should let you know that it is stolen. If you are buying from a dealer, ask to see the HPI check. If you are buying privately you can get your own check done at www.hpicheck.com Take care to ensure the vehicle is what it says it is. Check the VIN, MIN and tax discs

Motorhome Documents
Never buy a motorhome without a registration document or certificate (referred to as ‘registration certificate’ or “Log Book”) even if the seller says it has been sent to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for changes. If there is no Registration Document then walk away, no matter how plausible the excuse for the document not being available. Hold the registration certificate up to the light – You should see DVLA watermark that is contained within the layers of paper; you should reassure yourself that a fraudulent watermark has not been merely printed onto the surface of the paper. Look at a real one a few times and hopefully you will be able to spot a forged document.

You must be aware that the registration certificate is not a document of title, the person recorded may not be the legal owner. However do check that the address on the Log Book matches the seller’s home address? Ask for service receipts, be suspicious if they are not available, and when they are, check the address on the receipts match the sellers. You must assure yourself that the person selling the motorhome has the right to do so. Go with your gut feeling but don’t rely on it entirely; con-men make a living because they appear to be genuine.

This just touches the surface; there is so much more to know, I wrote a book about it, look in my signature for details

 

[slobadoberbob]

welcome from us also

Welcome from us also... Jim has given you the best advice in the post above.

Once you have your motor home .. use it and enjoy it.. spend £10 on subs on this site, it will be your best investment as you will bound to have lots of questions in the coming months.. Lots of owners here that have been there and got the T shirt..

Now South Africa.. Could do with a bit of Cape Town about now.. nearing the end of the summer over there.. still would be just about right sitting out in Alfred and Victoria waterfront.. watching the seals messing about with a cool beer in hand.. looking up at table mountain across the way.. oh boy .. sneak me in the case.

Bob, Sue and Ezzie the St Bernard