First time buyers looking for advise on buying a used Motorhome

[B7evan]

Hi all
We are currently looking to purchase a used Motorhome but not sure were to start, eg. make, model, year, replacement parts cost, upgrades....
We will be using this for the 1st year to travel around Scotland and if all goes well then moving on to further pastures lol.. So really we are needing a second hand buyers guide for a reliable motorhome.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
Brian

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

We were in the same boat a couple of years ago. We bought privately in the end and got, I think, a good deal. Also, judging by the comments of others, dealers are a mixed bag and always charge a premium.

A hab check is a must and you could even speak to the person who has done it. That checks for gas integrity and the presence of damp.

We took a punt on the mechanical soundness and had no issues. The first thing I did was have a garage check the vehicle once we got it home, ideally I would have done that first but it was 450 miles away, we literally hired a car on a one way rental and drove the van home.

There a lot of documentation and service history so it was a calculated risk.

We did, once we got home, realise the van needed a good clean and some TLC but this was a small price to pay to get it for £6k less than a dealer.

So, if buying private make sure it has a genuine hab check. Research the mechanical history and speak to every business that touched it based on the receipts.

Look for regular services, cam belt done within mileage or time requirements, especially time.

Others will wade in with more.

You will love it

d

 

[grasscutter]

If you pay to become a member you can download The Motorhome Buyers Guide in Resources.
You can also post and ask as many questions as you want.
Good luck researching.

 

[Figaro]

What grasscutter said
The best £20 you'll spend in your motorhome adventure
Loads of useful advice from knowledable people on here

 

[David and Sally]

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[irnbru]

Before you decide which motorhome you need to firstly decide on the layout you want v how many folk you are having travelling within the weight limit allowed. Do you have a C1on your licence ? otherwise you are limited to 3500kg. Happy hunting, fun times ahead!

 

[Stag man]

Hi Brian
I think above everything else the first check should be for damp, it’s the biggest nightmare.
A decent Hab-check will cover damp and lots of other issues as well (electrics, gas, carbon monoxide and so on). That should give you a feel for what you are buying and if it has been looked after.
The base vehicle will probably be based on the Fiat Ducato, which is pretty much tried and tested and parts are all available.
Very best wishes, enjoy your travels

 

[buzz1]

Welcome and good luck , I’m new to motorhoming and it’s a mine field , but plenty of help on , just looking at others posts is a great help and full of good info ,

 

[bigwood]

We hired a motorhome to see if we liked motorhome life and then made a list of what we wanted in our first van.
Before we started looking we visited a motorhome show to get some idea of what different builders offered. Searching autotrader gave us an idea of prices.
Good luck with you’re search. We learnt a lot during our searches.

 

[Jo662]

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[Phill D]

Hi and welcome

Layout layout layout
Then
Payload payload payload

Make sure you have the required license I.e. you likely need a C1.

I guarantee that if you don’t spend time on the layout that fits your needs and have enough payload you will be changing it quicker than you would like.

 

[DerryW]

Everything Phil D has said. If you can afford it maybe hire a couple of different layouts. Personally we wouldn't be without a garage, however others are not to fussed about garages.

 

[B7evan]

We were in the same boat a couple of years ago. We bought privately in the end and got, I think, a good deal. Also, judging by the comments of others, dealers are a mixed bag and always charge a premium.

A hab check is a must and you could even speak to the person who has done it. That checks for gas integrity and the presence of damp.

We took a punt on the mechanical soundness and had no issues. The first thing I did was have a garage check the vehicle once we got it home, ideally I would have done that first but it was 450 miles away, we literally hired a car on a one way rental and drove the van home.

There a lot of documentation and service history so it was a calculated risk.

We did, once we got home, realise the van needed a good clean and some TLC but this was a small price to pay to get it for £6k less than a dealer.

So, if buying private make sure it has a genuine hab check. Research the mechanical history and speak to every business that touched it based on the receipts.

Look for regular services, cam belt done within mileage or time requirements, especially time.

Others will wade in with more.

You will love it

d

Thanks Dave

 

[B7evan]

Hi and welcome

Layout layout layout
Then
Payload payload payload

Make sure you have the required license I.e. you likely need a C1.

I guarantee that if you don’t spend time on the layout that fits your needs and have enough payload you will be changing it quicker than you would like.

Cheers Phill

 

[ambulancekidd]

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[f6c]

Welcome aboard

 

[davidbaldam]

Hi and welcome to FUN.

 

[Brains]

Hire before you buy.

We hired four before we created our 'must have' list.

 

[Al-Di]