Anyone bought a highish value van privately?

[Gary217]

Just wondered if anyone on here has actually bought a mid-£30K MoHo or PVC privately? Reason for asking is that we upgraded our van in Feb to a MoHo for the main purpose of doing European trips this year (S Spain, Portugal, usual 2 weeks in France, Scandinavia, Germany) none of which will happen. We also are doubtful next year will be back to normal as a vaccine roll-out is not going to happen instantly, so even if we get to Europe bars, cafes, restaurants will most probably be under restrictions. Pessimistic view we know…but sadly probably also realistic.
We’re not fans of using vans in the UK as sites tend to be too formal (not all – but lots), often not near towns for visits and town/coastal parking in the UK is pathetically bad. So if we go away in the UK we take the car and enjoy a pub or cottage.
So, having bought the van in Feb we are considering selling it once lockdown eases enough to be able to do this. There is nothing wrong at all with the van, it is just a matter of not being able to use it the way we would like so no point keeping it.The obvious place is to take it to the dealers and take the best price but we know they have to make a profit and that’ll be in the region of £5K to £6K minimum so we’ll get say £32K and they put it up for £38K.
If we sold privately we’d split the gap and go for £35K. The van is in excellent condition, very low miles, we’ve added only a few hundred and we’d throw in some of the tables, chairs, TV, etc. It is under dealer 6-month second hand warranty but we’d look to buy the extended warranty on offer (so long as it is transferrable which we think it is) to give the new owner some peace of mind, which is what dealers do. There are a couple of identical MoHos on dealer sites with higher mileage for £38K to £40K so the buyer can check the value against these.
Personally for me, £35K is a lot and almost too much to spend privately but as an overly cautious person, I wondered if others out there are more happy to do this, and have actually done this at this price level to save a few grand?

(As an aside, I was surprised when we sold our VW T5 for c £20K privately how quickly it went – a dealer would have been putting it up for £3K more as I thought that was too much money for private deals. )

 

[lesleyjean]

I bought my 'new to us van' privately. I thought it was such a lovely looking van with rear bathroom and single bed layout, with drop down double bed at front.
Cost a fair bit more than £30,000 but it was just what we wanted and it was one owner, with low mileage. We love it, but can't use it at the moment and hubby got ill when we were in Spain so don't know when we will be using it now.

 

[Sidders]

Interesting one Gary and probs one that’s going to split opinion. I would personally be ok buying at that level with the usual due diligence - but I would imagine for some they would prefer the back up/assurance or perhaps even finance package available from the dealer.
I missed out on a van we really liked last year in a private sale (dealer just bet me to it). He paid 19k for it and then sold it for 29k which I was pretty shocked at?

 

[buttons]

Just wondered if anyone on here has actually bought a mid-£30K MoHo or PVC privately? Reason for asking is that we upgraded our van in Feb to a MoHo for the main purpose of doing European trips this year (S Spain, Portugal, usual 2 weeks in France, Scandinavia, Germany) none of which will happen. We also are doubtful next year will be back to normal as a vaccine roll-out is not going to happen instantly, so even if we get to Europe bars, cafes, restaurants will most probably be under restrictions. Pessimistic view we know…but sadly probably also realistic.
We’re not fans of using vans in the UK as sites tend to be too formal (not all – but lots), often not near towns for visits and town/coastal parking in the UK is pathetically bad. So if we go away in the UK we take the car and enjoy a pub or cottage.
So, having bought the van in Feb we are considering selling it once lockdown eases enough to be able to do this. There is nothing wrong at all with the van, it is just a matter of not being able to use it the way we would like so no point keeping it.The obvious place is to take it to the dealers and take the best price but we know they have to make a profit and that’ll be in the region of £5K to £6K minimum so we’ll get say £32K and they put it up for £38K.
If we sold privately we’d split the gap and go for £35K. The van is in excellent condition, very low miles, we’ve added only a few hundred and we’d throw in some of the tables, chairs, TV, etc. It is under dealer 6-month second hand warranty but we’d look to buy the extended warranty on offer (so long as it is transferrable which we think it is) to give the new owner some peace of mind, which is what dealers do. There are a couple of identical MoHos on dealer sites with higher mileage for £38K to £40K so the buyer can check the value against these.
Personally for me, £35K is a lot and almost too much to spend privately but as an overly cautious person, I wondered if others out there are more happy to do this, and have actually done this at this price level to save a few grand?

(As an aside, I was surprised when we sold our VW T5 for c £20K privately how quickly it went – a dealer would have been putting it up for £3K more as I thought that was too much money for private deals. )

I think T5s would sell quickly even in times like this. They are an all round vehicle not just a sit on the drive white elephant. Nobody can guess what the market will be like for the next few years, if it were me I would take the dealer up on his £32k and stick it in the bank until things sort themselves out.

 

[chaser]

Can't see you selling it private , everyone in the same boat, who's going to shell out 35 grand for something you can't use for a year, if you have a definite offer and really want to sell, I'd snap his hand off.

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[Chockswahay]

A van is ONLY worth what someone wishes to pay for it. The 'loss' is only relevant to you.

Only you can decide if the difference between what you paid and £32k is 'acceptable'

Me? I'd do as Buttons said..... take the money and run!

 

[nicholsong]

Gary

I bought privately our N&B Arto. It was just under 30K, but that was 10 years ago.

I took a mechanic friend with me who also owned a bodyshop so could spot any damage.

Being a quality MH and only 6 years old and 16,500 miles I had few worries. It has performed well for 10 years.

There are private buyers out there. You have to make sure they are not timewasters or just nosey.

Geoff

 

[gus-lopez]

I'd be surprised if any dealer was in a position to buy in after this. &who is he going to be selling to?

 

[Geoff185]

We bought our van privately just over 3 years ago, identical van at local dealers was £8K more with less accessories. It was looking at dealer van that put us on to this model. Dealer very unhappy that we bought privately stating no warranty. I replied not sure how good your warranty would be and I've got £8K in my pocket to sort out any issues. Had no issues so well pleased , more than happy to buy this way again, you get a feel for the van and seller that helps

 

[DerryW]

We haven't sold, but have brought privately. Our current and only MH to date was purchased privately. My Son who we'd ask to keep an eye out for us, spotted it in Autotrader on a Sunday morning back in 2018. It was listed the previous evening by the then owners. After a chat with the owners on the phone, we drove the 250 mile round trip to Kenilworth and purchased it the same day. I left a deposit and agreed to collect the following Saturday. This allowed us time to sort out insurance, tax, alarms/tracker etc.

The biggest issue for me was whilst the people appeared to be as honest as the day is long, I still had a nagging feeling that I was about to part with in excess of £50k cash (not pound notes) and was this all legit i.e. the van, although 20 months old was like brand new, we'd only met the people for an hour or so on the Sunday, and whilst I'd seen and checked the V5 etc before leaving £1k deposit the previous week, I couldn't help but relate what I was about to do with what happened to a close neighbour only a few months earlier.

He parted with £16k (this was pound notes, he liked a deal) for a virtually new pick up truck, he travelled to Luton met a guy and his wife in a nice house even had a cup of tea with them. A week latter received a knock at the door, it was the Police informing him the pick-up had been stolen, he argued with the police even explaining he meet the wife and had a cup of tea with them at the address on the V5, turns out they watch for people going on holiday, advertise their vehicle left on the drive at a reasonably cheap but not silly price, arrange to met a potential buyer at the address where they've previously gained access and do the deal, to then disappear into thin air.

Anyway after speaking to my bank and the sellers doing the same with their bank (it turned out they were as worried as me about parting with a £55k MH) having no real knowledge of me. They had been told by friends of all the types of scams that could happen the minute I drove away with the MH.

However, it all turned out well for both parties, we did what's known as a tripartite arrangement, which involved representatives from both banks being involved in a 4 way telephone conversation. hey presto I left with a lovely MH and they banked the money. Happy ever after.

Apologies for the long synopsis, but it proves whilst being stressful to buy a relatively expensive item privately, it can be done, and to everyone's satisfaction.

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[MisterB]

I think for me to buy a MH at £35k privately, it needs to have a value of at least £40k
Saving a couple of grand when spending that much isnt a massive enough saving for me, when it's likely with a dealer to have some sort of warranty or guarantee.

 

[The Coops]

Easy way to do the maths Up to 12 months old dealer knocks off 20% off the purchase price and 5% per year after that for vehicle age , adds his profit margins between 10 - 20% mark up and sells that is their business model , they have staff workshops and business rates, advertising etc to fork out. You can purchase warranties privately again without the dealer mark up perhaps sell with an extended warranty? Any defects, service history, mots if applicable and have any photos of the van in use..on holiday, to show its yours and not pasted and copied or cloned pictures everyone will photo their pride and joy! If it is a genuine buyer they will give them peace of mind that you are also genuine. Not foolproof but might help if you mention some bits in your advert, you are about right with your estimate Ask if they want to have the vehicle professionally examined (at their expense) not that dear considering what they will be laying out, the AA and RAC offer services to members as do independent companies Above all if you strike a deal don't hand anything over till you have the cash confirmed in your bank.....grandmother and eggs I know but better safe than sorry

 

[deleted-member02]

Has the dealer offered 32k or is it just an assumption?
If the forecourt price is £38k for similar, I'd be amazed if you were offered anything above high 20s for a straight sale (not px), particularly at this moment in time.
£32k sounds like a very good offer, I'd accept on the spot!
Fwiw, I'd spend that kind of money private sale, but if the van's retailing for £38k, I wouldn't be looking to pay much more than £32k for it (figuring I could get the dealer van for £35kish)

 

[Minxy]

I very much doubt that the dealer will pay you £32k for it I'm afraid, more like high £20k's, when we've asked for px values on MHs in the past the vast majority were well below what a private sale would bring in and when asking for a price but not buying a MH from them, they are usually even lower.

With the present financial climate I think you might struggle to get a dealer to agree to buy it at all, and if they do more likely to be mid £20ks.

 

[chaser]

I wasn't knocking selling or buying private, always do it, bought a couple off eBay unseen and had no problems at all, what I was trying to get over the present world problems where no one is going to be moving for quite some time, a d there are going to be hundreds of vans for sale at knock down prices, and if he definitely wants to sell and has what looks like a good offer he's going to have to bite the bullet and take the money.

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[Minxy]

Has the dealer offered 32k or is it just an assumption?

It appears to be a guesstimate ...

The obvious place is to take it to the dealers and take the best price but we know they have to make a profit and that’ll be in the region of £5K to £6K minimum so we’ll get say £32K and they put it up for £38K.

 

[The Coops]

Sorry misread the post £30,000 that is what you are realistically looking at put the warranty on and perhaps £32,000 but be ready to negotiate, if you have been offered £32,000 then take it and walk away!

 

[TheBig1]

who are you kidding? £32k at the moment, not a chance. They just wouldn't be able to sell for god knows how long so money gambled on a potential later sale. If this covid 19 crap goes on all year, there will be loads of re-possessed vans in auction as people go broke.

And yes, I have paid double that in cash for a privately bought van

 

[TheMachMan]

We just managed to sell our 2yr old caravan just days before the lockdown. The PX offered when we bought our new van wasn’t great so advertised it somewhere between dealer and the PX price.
I did try several dealers and non wanted it. Not even a low bid, all saying they were seeing a slow down and had enough stock. As ready said you be lucky to get £32k, but would sound right for private sale. Anyone who knows what they are looking at wouldn’t be put off buying private. No different to buying a car.

 

[Lenny HB]

6 years ago sold our first Hymer on eBay for £36k, 6 years old had it from new only lost 23% on it.
Problem is at the moment in the current climate it's going to be difficult to sell any vehicle. Probably best to wait a couple of months and see how things pan out.

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[TheBig1]

Any luxury item like motorhomes and caravans are pretty hard to shift in a normal recession. This is already looking like it will be way worse. You can see for yourself that it is unlikely that we will be camping again any time soon. Why would anyone want to shell out on an expensive luxury vehicle you can't use for who knows how long? The possibility of a vaccine is likely to take a year to find test and produce if we are lucky

 

[CazPaul]

What van is it you are selling, make, year, condition etc?

 

[maison]

If you consider sites in the U.K. to be too formal have you considered the use of CLs or CSs?

There are some gems out there that are in beautiful locations and far from formal.

OK, they are not free like many Aires and Stellplatz, but may be worth a thought rather than taking a hit on the motorhome.

Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[Gary217]

Thanks for the replies, helping us form an opinion. However, I should have been clearer, sorry - our intention is to wait and sell the van once we're through the worse of the lockdown and dealers have re-opened and sites have re-opened. We haven't found a dealer to buy now (not looked as they're all closed) and with distancing etc we couldn't show anyone round the van even if we got any interest which is zero probability. Like everyone else, our van is going to be sitting on the drive, being looked after (cleaned, charged etc) but not doing anything.
For clarity, as some have said the figures are pure guesstimates, but a bit researched and from a previous sell-only deal we did on a previous van. Dealers need a profit which we accept - hence the consideration of selling privately.

 

[BusyBuilder]

I bought my Hymer B544 for £50k private. Only problem we had was transferring the money, the bank wasn't happy although 2 days before we sold our previous Hymer for £28k. Typical bank happy to accept money, but difficult to get back out again.

Do your research, check out what is available (same model obviously), prices, accessories fitted etc, age, condition, mileage and HPI check of course. Make sure the seller is who they say they are, address on V5 and property where the van is also should be same. But at the end of the day, it's down to how you feel about the van and the seller, if either don't feel right walk away.

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[Abacist]

I tried to sell an AutoTrail for about £35k when I'd bought it a couple of years earlier for £39.5k and put a load of extras on it but no takers in 12 months. Eventually part exchanged it and got less than £35k. I think it didn't help that it was an AutoTrail with 4 berths but could only carry 2 people! Bought when we didn't know what we were doing!

 

[Mr Librium]

We bought our campervan through Motorhome Depot, a broker, granted it was a lot cheaper than your Motorhome, but we found the process very transparent. The broker just gets a commission so the agreed price is pretty much what it would be for a private sale.
Worked brilliantly for us and having picked the van up off the owner with the Motorhome Depot agent, it all seemed very natural, organised and safe.

 

[lorger]

We sold our previous van privately last December for slightly more than your talking about with no issues, as long as you’re upfront with the buyer from the start as last thing you want is for something to pop up and he thinks you’ve lied to him. Our last one had two small issues one I fixed and the other one I gave the buyer the option of me fixing it or money off, reason for this was it was hardly noticeable but didn’t want him spotting it and think I was trying to hide it.
He went with the money off option as he said he wouldn’t have seen the fault on his own.

 

[Gary217]

Yep, whenever we sell anything but especially a vehicle we are always open and totally honest as 1) saves any nasty comebacks and 2) if people are spending their hard-earned money/savings I want them to feel happy with their purchase - I would never make a good car/van/motorhome salesman as way too honest

 

[Gary217]

We bought our campervan through Motorhome Depot, a broker, granted it was a lot cheaper than your Motorhome, but we found the process very transparent. The broker just gets a commission so the agreed price is pretty much what it would be for a private sale.
Worked brilliantly for us and having picked the van up off the owner with the Motorhome Depot agent, it all seemed very natural, organised and safe.

That's really interesting - thanks! Will look into this.

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