Help please - how to sell our motorhome privately and safely?

[Pocket Rocket]

Sadly we have to sell our “as new” 2022 motorhome (due to health issues). It’s a Chausson 720, only 7 months old (registered in May 2022), and in immaculate condition inside and out. Obviously still under full manufacturers warranty.

We know we are going to make a loss by selling it, but would like minimise the financial hit by selling it privately. But I am so worried about scammers, or how to make sure that no-one damages or steals our much loved motorhome.

We have contacted main dealers, who all want it but only at a low offer. We are OK with less than we paid for it, and happy to sell privately at less than a dealers price (so the buyer gets a good deal too).

But what is the safest way to do this? Autotrader? Classified on this forum? Is eBay OK or avoid?

How do you check out potential buyers? If you give your address, does that risk someone coming round at night and trying to steal your motorhome (we have a lot of security!) And what is the safest way to ask for a large sum of money to be transferred?

On top of health issues, and the sadness of giving up on our motorhome dreams, this is leading to a lot of extra stress, so any advice would be welcome. Thank you

 

[Figaro]

I'd try on here first.
I don't think giving your address makes it more likely to be stolen.
Accept payment by bank transfer only and as soon as the money is in your account,(just a few moments) move to another account. Although that's not strictly necessary as it can't be recalled, but may make you feel more secure.
Sorry to hear your dreams have been curtailed, but ask a competitive price on here and I'm sure you'll get lots of interest and far fewer tyre kickers looking for a bargain than you might get on Autotrader etc.
Good luck

Edit : you drive on test drive with potential purchasers as passengers

 

[Tombola]

On here and autotrader, I wouldnt touch ebay for an item of that value, to omany sharks and kickers.

 

[Simon Select]

Send me full details and I may be able to help!

 

[Portland]

Post it in Classified with details and price and see what happens

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[Rapido666F]

Moving a large sum of money from one account to another may not be easy: ask your bank if they are prepared to help!

Gordon

 

[March Hare]

I appreciate that Motorhome Depot have mixed reviews on here, but when we bought our motorhome from a private seller, they used Motorhome Depot to act for them as an agent, and certainly from a buyer's perspective it worked really well. We still went to view the motorhome at the seller's home but the MD agent did the viewing and accompanied the drive out.

The agent then arranged the negotiation acting as a go between, and once agree we lodged the £'s with MD before we went to collect the motorhome, we did a final check and then MD released the £'s to the seller - I believe MD take a pre-agreed commission from the sale.

That was the second motorhome we'd viewed via MD and both agents were very knowledgeable and professional, and if and when we come to sell, I think we'd certainly look at using MD to act for us.

 

[Tombola]

I appreciate that Motorhome Depot have mixed reviews on here, but when we bought our motorhome from a private seller, they used Motorhome Depot to act for them as an agent, and certainly from a buyer's perspective it worked really well. We still went to view the motorhome at the seller's home but the MD agent did the viewing and accompanied the drive out.

The agent then arranged the negotiation acting as a go between, and once agree we lodged the £'s with MD before we went to collect the motorhome, we did a final check and then MD released the £'s to the seller - I believe MD take a pre-agreed commission from the sale.

That was the second motorhome we'd viewed via MD and both agents were very knowledgeable and professional, and if and when we come to sell, I think we'd certainly look at using MD to act for us.

I used motohome depot to seel mine, and can recommend if you are ok with the fees

 

[pappajohn]

Moving a large sum of money from one account to another may not be easy: ask your bank if they are prepared to help!

Gordon

Bank transfer is very easy and secure.

 

[pappajohn]

If you have to accept a cheque the van stays were it is until the money is in your bank account.

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[tonka]

I would phone every dealer I could and get a price first. The original dealer would be the one to miss out. You have some ball park idea then to see if it's worth the hassle for a private sale.

 

[Jane NotRog]

We sold my father’s motorhome with Motorhome Depot and were pleased with the process. Particularly useful as they did viewings while we were away in our van.

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Motorhome depot ok with me bought and sold via them.
I dont know Simon Alan Kerr who has asked for details but he seems very genuine and has helped loads of people on this forum i would try his services first.

 

[Ernesto]

I dont know Simon Alan Kerr who has asked for details but he seems very genuine and has helped loads of people on this forum i would try his services first.

Another vote for this sound idea

 

[Riverbankannie]

Motorhome depot ok with me bought and sold via them.
I dont know Simon Alan Kerr who has asked for details but he seems very genuine and has helped loads of people on this forum i would try his services first.

He is EddieVanBitz son and has taken over the Paington dealership Alan Kerr Motorhomes.

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[Miggs]

Sold my last one painlessly through eBay. Most banks will have a high value payment dept to handle the cash transfer over the phone while you hold on to the keys.
Alternatively there are numerous brokers around the country which will do it for you.
I bought one through Mel Wilkins brokerage and he also provided a 3 month warranty which I claimed on a couple of times without any drama.

 

[Pocket Rocket]

Thank you all so much for your advice, experience and reassurance. I will look in to all suggestions.

We will miss being part of Fun, especially all the lovely helpful people on here. Hopefully one day we will be able to have a motor home again.

 

[Rapido666F]

Bank transfer is very easy and secure.

Some of my accounts limit my daily transfers to £5k or £10k once established as a trusted account. On more than one occasion I have "transferred" money, only to find that it has bounced back.
IF I knew that I was moving say £70k to protect against "reclaims" then I would clarify the situation with the bank several days in advance.

Not my money so not my problem: advice can be accepted or ignored - Gordon

 

[Figaro]

The buyer does need to notify their bank of intention to transfer a large amount to a third party and do a test transfer of a nominal amount first.
Once the bank is aware, the usual 10k daily limit is removed.

 

[Bailey58]

Sold ours through Autotrader with little hassle at all. The ad is simplicity in itself to place provided you have written a full description first, I did mine in a word doc and copied it to the site. All callers are routed through an Autotrader line so your phone and ID is secure. Mine went in a week last Friday, it was viewed on Monday with a bank transfer of £1000 paid, and seen in my account on the night, and collected last Wednesday with the balance in my account that morning. I had a few private calls and some traders but it wasn't on there long enough to get any hassle. They don't all go that smoothly but given the year of your van I'm sure it will sell very quickly, on here or Autotrader. Oh and it cost me £50 for 6 weeks but I could have saved a little for a shorter time. Good luck.

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[Pocket Rocket]

Thank you all for your advice. Regarding payments, has anyone used CHAPS as a safe way to transfer a large amount between banks?

 

[Carpmart]

You are over thinking (worrying about) this a bit too much!

Bank Transfer is fine for the money side. Look at the balance on your device to be sure it’s gone through.

Quick interview of people who want to come and see the MoHo will ensure you don’t get time wasters. Like, how are you funding this purchase?, have you owned one before?, are you aware of the terms of sale? etc etc

Advertise everywhere. Have a price clear that you won’t shift from and stick to it, like really stick to it.

Good luck.

 

[Miggs]

Thank you all for your advice. Regarding payments, has anyone used CHAPS as a safe way to transfer a large amount between banks?

BACS is 25k limit, CHAPS is unlimited but must be in banking hours and there is a fee. I rang my bank (Lloyds), and they put me through to high value payments who made the transfer of 60k for me there and then.

 

[reckless]

I dont know Simon Alan Kerr who has asked for details but he seems very genuine and has helped loads of people on this forum i would try his services first.

Ditto so certainly worth a call for a van of your age/value

 

[CazPaul]

Why would you want to sell privately at less than a dealers offer?

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[reckless]

Think OP means less than dealer forecourt price