Terrified it might be rubbish (1 Viewer)

Jim

Ringleader
Jul 19, 2007
36,191
128,630
Sutton on Sea, UK
Funster No
1
MH
Adria Panel Van.
Exp
Since 1988
Received as a Private Conversation from a new member Burybird, thought I'd give it wider exposure.

Morning all. We are going to look at a motorhome on Thursday. It's the exact model we want, but terrified we might buy a rubbish one without knowing. Can anyone give us some advice please. Also, when you go to a dealer can you expect to get "good deal" with loads off or are they trying to Palm us off with a dud?
 

Mel

Free Member
Oct 6, 2012
2,131
2,810
De Haan Belgium
Funster No
23,175
MH
Caravan LMC
Exp
Since 2010 Caravan since 1995
So much to digest might be the biggest purchase in your life (appart from a house)
Try to find someone else who has bought from the dealer.
Dont leave a deposit (unles credit card)

Dont let your hart rule your head.
So much more that a lot of us take for granted.
If in any doubt walk away
Dont listen when they say they have another person wanting to look at it.

Best of luck
Mel
 
Aug 30, 2012
4,270
11,303
Home of the war horse
Funster No
22,676
MH
burstnar T640
Exp
2010
If I could give one piece of advice it would be
Find a local trusted professional company and get a full INDEPENDENT inspection
If you post up where you live someone may recommend a company

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scotjimland

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 25, 2007
2,086
9,022
Suffolk Coastal District, UK
Funster No
15
MH
Timberland
You would be extremely unlucky to buy a dud from a reputable dealer with good customer reports .. but not impossible.. so do a Google and find out if they have happy customers... better still, if you know anyone else who has bought from them ..

you are protected by the Sale of Goods Act.. (or whatever it is called now) also, a reputable dealer will not use an 'insurance company' warranty.

main thing to do is have test drive.. and crawl all over looking for damp.. in lockers,under seats and at all corners and joints, including along the floor where it joins the walls... your eyes and nose.. buy a damp meter..

This forum is good place to ask about dealers.. .. if not already a member.. £15 well spent


Top Tip
Buy Jim's Motorhome Buyers Guide.. http://shop.motorhomefun.co.uk/product/motorhome-buyers-guide/
 

bartiny

Free Member
May 23, 2010
284
404
Accrington, Lancashire
Funster No
11,732
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
Since 2008
TBH not enough detail to advise, could do with (ideally) link to the actual Motorhome or dealer, at the very least an idea of what you are buying and the price asked.

Failing that take someone with you who has an idea what to look for/questions to ask and is detached from the sale, so heart will not rule head.

Failing that ask for the previous keepers contact details and contact them for any info.

As long as the dealer has a good reputation and offering a warranty and the price seams about right, then should be fine.

Good luck.
 

GeebeeJaybee

Free Member
May 28, 2015
293
349
St Helens
Funster No
36,586
MH
A Class - Adria Vision
Exp
newbie
We were lucky with our first - it was from a dealer who doesn't do new ones though.
I liked the way all the vans were open for you to browse without having to ask and therefore get pestered. They popped their head into one van after about 20 minutes and said come and find us if you have any questions. No pressure at all. All their vans came with new MOT, vehicle and habitation service. As it was our first they gave us a EHU lead and a full gas bottle so we were ready to go. We had a camera and awning fitted for cost only. - we still got some money off the screen price. Any bits and bats we thought needed attention they made a list with us and sorted them all at no charge.

After 5 months we have changed for a different motorhome due to layout but have bought the new one from the same place as they had what we wanted and we were happy with them. They didn't rip us off on the trade in.

We did look at larger dealers who also do new ones - their second hand stuff tended to be in worse condition and over priced.

I suppose I am saying make sure you are comfortable with the place you buy from - don't be swayed by sales talk.

Jen

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Judge Mental

Funster
Deceased RIP
Sep 2, 2009
6,650
5,883
Sarth London
Funster No
8,272
MH
Possl 636 FR panel van
Exp
1994 and beyond...
Far to little info to help....

Just pay for it to be independently inspected...but be there when it's done..as you don't want dealer giving the engineer a drink.

Your caution is well justified to be honest.
Much prefer to buy privately from a genuine owner
 
Feb 22, 2014
2,107
10,269
Grantham
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30,233
MH
Rapido Le Randonneur
Exp
Since 2015
Listen to your gut. Look hard with your eyes. Look at its history.
 
Feb 16, 2013
19,505
51,186
uttoxeter
Funster No
24,713
MH
ambulance conversion
Exp
50 years
Received as a Private Conversation from a new member Burybird, thought I'd give it wider exposure.

Morning all. We are going to look at a motorhome on Thursday. It's the exact model we want, but terrified we might buy a rubbish one without knowing. Can anyone give us some advice please. Also, when you go to a dealer can you expect to get "good deal" with loads off or are they trying to Palm us off with a dud?
How do you know it's the exact model you want? Have you been out in one ? Have you had one before? Is it the first one you have looked at? Have you looked at more than one dealer?
A lot of questions I know , but you don't say, but at this time of year don't just jump in at the first one, it's not going to be gone quick and even if it is there will be plenty more, but if on the other hand if you answer yes to the questions and it really does look a bargain , get it checked out throughly, put some more details on here , there might be someone close to you who could help with the basics.

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bartiny

Free Member
May 23, 2010
284
404
Accrington, Lancashire
Funster No
11,732
MH
Coachbuilt
Exp
Since 2008
Just pay for it to be independently inspected...but be there when it's done..as you don't want dealer giving the engineer a drink.


As above, especially if you are in any way unsure what questions to ask, or areas you should be checking.

Google the dealer and the motorhome should bring up some info.

Failing that make a list of questions that you should/want to ask, as it is easy to "forget" whilst being shown round.

(y)
 
Oct 5, 2012
4,283
9,569
Ayrshire
Funster No
23,166
MH
Carado T132
Exp
5 years, feel free to ask me about the Carado!!
Sorry but never trust a dealer......I was helping a friend look for a new MH during the summer and was memorably introduced to 'the shed'. Green roof from algae, had a gas cupboard that looked like a tramp had been living in it and coincidentally the bathroom stank of piss...... Mileage highly questionable, bodywork and internal units shabby and bashed....etc..... 8 owners in 5 years......top book price.


And always check underneath a van for damage & rust.
 
D

deleted-member02

Deleted User
Firstly consider the vehicles size and payload capacity.
Are you certain (as you can be) that you're choosing the right layout ?
Does the vehicle have enough seatbelts for your needs ?

If you're certain that it's the van for you, spend hours going over it, take a pen and paper with you.

Lie on the beds, lift all the cushions, try all the blinds, look behind the curtains....
Open all the cupboards, inspect the shelves, catches and hinges, try the lights....
Check the oven, hob and fridge.
Does the step work correctly ? Do the windows, doors and lockers open and close easily ?

Are there any obvious bodge jobs, cracked/brittle plastics, loose / missing trims ?

Look for signs accident repair - excess paint, different decals, panels/bumpers that appear newer than the rest...

Look for signs of corrosion underneath, any hint of oil leaks, check that tyres are good and in date.
Even if you're not mechanically minded, lift the bonnet, look for corrosion and visible oil leaks.
Look at the coolant tank, if it's at the correct level, clean and brightly coloured, you've got a good clue that the engine's been well maintained.

Get up on the roof, does it look in good order - no horrible mastic / sealant messes. Are the rooflights/aerial/satellite/solar fixings well sealed ?
Re-sealing roof lights is an easy job for the dealer. If they're looking tired or worn, ask for it to be sorted. Might save you some bother in the future...

Damp is a frequent problem and needs checking everywhere. A non-invasive damp meter doesn't cost much and is an essential tool.

If everything looks good, ask to take it for a test drive.
Does it drive smoothly, are there any rattles, shakes or vibrations.
Everyone has different tolerance/expectations of an acceptable level of noise. Is the van quite enough for you ? Some are noisy and rattle like hell, others are almost car like.

If you're still interested at this point, you might be looking at a purchase.
Chances are you're getting hungry and thirsty.
Two options - Go for a coffee, take a moment to think about everything you've just done, make the decision.
Or if you're already sold, sit down with the salesperson, take up their offer of coffee and biscuits, negotiate a deal.

If you can get between private sale and forecourt price, you're doing ok.
Getting any little faults sorted, a habitation check and service, perhaps a vehicle service (with cambelt ?) and new MOT, extended warranty, having extras fitted are all good bargaining tools.

A good dealer would likely offer you most of this regardless.

If you are still a little wary, an independent inspection (perhaps from a mobile service company) would cost a couple of hundred pounds and offer some piece of mind.

As a guide, we spent five hours going over our van before we even sat down with the salesman.
He was fine with it, no pressure at all, he was very proud that the vehicle was good enough to stand up to vigorous inspection.

All the above postings offer good advice, everything you need to know is available somewhere on MHF, it's a wealth of knowledge if you take the time to look.
Hope this (not so) small piece helps !
:welc:

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cliffanger

LIFE MEMBER
Apr 15, 2013
4,793
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Saltford
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25,562
MH
Hymer A class
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Since 2013
We were lucky to have bought the right one for us first time - we didn't think about water and waste capacity, but fortunately ours had large capacity of both - 120L of water and 100L of waste. Meeting other people with vans with a lot less made us realise how lucky we were.

We had an AA inspection - complete and total waste of money. An MOT is cheaper and of more use!

We spent two years looking. If we had bought the first one we looked at (which we fell in love with at the time) it would have been a very expensive mistake. Don't be in a rush - particularly at this time of year.

Think about making bed up -v- not making bed up.
Can you stretch out in the lounge?
Make a list of things you think you can do without - we thought we needed a big garage to begin with but now know we can do without it and our 6m van can be driven and parked up anywhere.

Whatever you buy - use it and enjoy it! :)(y)
 
Feb 9, 2008
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Corby, Northants
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stcyr

Free Member
Apr 11, 2011
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16,005
MH
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On & off, since 1966 - fulltime since 2005
From what one reads & hears many who buy new MHs appear to be supplied with duds :whistle:
 
Feb 9, 2008
8,924
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Corby, Northants
Funster No
1,455
MH
Coach Built
Exp
Since 2007
From what one reads & hears many who buy new MHs appear to be supplied with duds :whistle:
Sadly true, many new motorhomes have to go back to the dealer for faults to be corrected which should have been detected and corrected before being released to the customer. The UK motorhome industry is shoddy!
 

TheWM

Free Member
Feb 24, 2015
445
450
London
Funster No
35,228
MH
Rapido 9010df
Exp
Newbie, but over 10 years in a campervan
I saw this yesterday and it may help you, or other potential buyers:

http://www.mercuryarv.co.uk/RV-Fixed-Price-Servicing.html

On the face of it £85 fixed price inspection, which includes raising it in the air to inspect underneath, seems pretty good. I do confess that I have never used the company before, so cannot vouch for them.

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Oct 8, 2014
1,541
4,558
Todmorden
Funster No
33,748
MH
Compactline 143
Exp
I'm a newbie and always will be. You never know it all.
Very difficult I know, but with hindsight.......never, ever, let your heart rule your head.
Its a business to the dealer it could be the rest of your life for you.
 

Abacist

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 15, 2013
3,649
10,042
Devon
Funster No
28,581
MH
N & B Tag Axle
Exp
since 2013
Far to little info to help....

Just pay for it to be independently inspected...but be there when it's done..as you don't want dealer giving the engineer a drink.

Your caution is well justified to be honest.
Much prefer to buy privately from a genuine owner

Yes but as beginner how do you know who is a genuine private owner?

I am sure that there are private owners trying to sell on the pig in a poke that they bought from some sharpster or a van that has got damp in it that they can't afford to repair and they want rid of it at a price that is more than it is really worth. Then there are the Ebay scammers where a van doesn't even exist!

Just remember that you are buying not only a motor vehicle which is expensive to put right if the engine or gearbox has a problem and a motorhome that will be very expensive to repair if it has damp in it. The older the motorhome the greater the risks of problems but less initial financial outlay so don't spend everything - keep a reserve budget in case anything needs doing, repairing or replacing.
 

Landy lover

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 11, 2009
2,296
5,928
Zummerzet
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7,453
MH
27ft Eurolight
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Camping Caravaning now 5'ering 49 years
First thing I would have thought would be what van what layout and what dealer and if possible what reg number plus a few photos. It is then possible that someone knows the van / previous owner and may be able to give advise. Apart from that the post has no information to pass an opinion on
 

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