Buying a second hand caravan
Why buy second hand?
The number one reason for buying
second hand is of course the price. Not only can you pick up a
bargain, second hand caravans hold more of their value (vs. new
caravans that depreciate as soon as they leave the dealership).
Furthermore, there is a huge range of second hand caravans on
the market so you can afford to shop around to find the right one
for you. You’re also less likely to have to wait as long for
delivery of a second hand caravan vs. buying brand new.
By all means take a look at some brand new models. Even if
they’re out of your price range, looking at what’s out there can
help you refine your taste and get a better idea of what to look
for in a caravan.
Where is it best to buy from?
Dealers
- Dealers – Dealers are a
trustworthy source for buying a second hand caravan. You’re more
likely to be offered extra perks such as a warranty and the law
offers you greater protection when purchasing from a dealer rather
than a private individual.
Private sale
- Private sale – You may very
well find that private sellers offer a better price for a caravan.
However, don’t let that be the only thing you look for. Make sure
you thoroughly check over a caravan for potential faults and ensure
the seller has all the important documents such as service records,
handbook and CRiS documents (Caravan Registration and
Identification Scheme). If you find a few faults or that the
caravan doesn’t have an up to date service history, you may find
that repairing or servicing the caravan negates the savings made by
choosing to buy private and not from a dealer. For more information
on what to look out for, take a look at the ‘What Should I Check
For’ section below.
Manufacturers
- Manufacturers – Keep an eye
out for refurbished high end caravans direct from the
manufacturers. Just occasionally a great opportunity to make a
saving comes up. So whilst this may not be your primary search
option, check back now and again to make sure you’re not missing
out.
Auction
- Auction – Again, an auction
house may not be your first port of call for a second hand bargain
but check in with your local auction house to see if any of their
upcoming lots are caravans. Larger auction houses such as BCA also
have some specialist sales so be sure to explore them as an
option.
Overseas import
- Overseas import – If you’re
thinking of importing a caravan from abroad, be sure to check that
it complies with the legal requirements here in the UK. Also be
sure that spares and servicing are available in the UK to avoid
costly repair jobs. It may also be a good idea to check with your
insurer that a foreign spec caravan does not void your policy.
When is the best time to buy?
Unsurprisingly, the best time to buy is during the off season
from September through to March. It’s during this time that dealers
in particular will be trying to sell second hand caravans to make
way for next seasons new models. As sales will be low at this time
of year anyway, you may come away with a bargain.
Choosing a make and model
There
are a huge range of brands to choose from and an even bigger range
of shapes and sizes to choose from. Mostly it’s down to personal
preference and requirements. It would be wise however, to consider
servicing costs and spare parts availability as well as your
budget.
If you buy a mid-range caravan from a well known manufacturer
the likelihood is that spare parts will be easier to find and there
is more choice available. You may also find that a popular make and
model of caravan will hold a better resale value. Going for a more
up-market model will evidently appeal to those with a larger
budget. It can be money well spent though as you’re likely to get a
caravan with all mod-cons. Be ready to travel and act quickly to
pick up one of these caravans as the demand for them is often very
high.
When inspecting the specification of a caravan be sure to check
if the original spec included all the features of the current
caravan. If it looks like the current owner has done some DIY and
installed a few extras, make sure you inspect these closely to make
sure they have done a good and safe job.
The size of the caravan is likely to be an important factor.
This is normally a simple decision based upon the number of people
likely to be staying in the caravan at any one time. Be sure to
consider where you’re going to store your caravan. The last thing
you want is to get your new purchase home only to find you have
nowhere to put it!
Age is also a key factor. Most caravans will last roughly 14
years if they’re well maintained. We would recommend that you aim
for well within this age range but be aware that the younger the
caravan, the higher the price. Once again, it’s important to check
for the availability of spare parts as some older caravans may not
be made any more and may be in short supply of spares. For more
information on finding out the age of your caravan, check out the
‘What Should I Check For’ section below.
What should I check for?
The number one rule of
buying a second hand caravan is, do your research! It may seem as
if there’s a lot of work to be done however, sites such as
practicalcaravan.com and
caravantimes.co.uk can help
by offering clear and useful advice and information. But remember
there’s no substitute for seeing with your own eyes. When you go to
look at a caravan don’t be too worried about being picky and making
a thorough assessment of the goods. Take a look in the boxes below
for more information.
Your rights as a buyer
- Your rights as a buyer –
Firstly, you should get to know how you’re protected by the law.
All caravans should be fit for purpose, of a satisfactory quality
and should match any description given of them. If upon inspection
a caravan is not of a satisfactory level, you as a consumer can ask
for a repair or replacement of any unsatisfactory aspect of the
caravan. Check through the caravan thoroughly for these defects as
soon as you can. The law does protect you for faults found up to
six months after the sale however, you must provide proof that
those faults existed at the time of the sale and have not happened
since.
Does it meet legal requirements?
- Does it meet legal
requirements? – This is particularly important to check if
you’re importing a caravan from abroad. Not only should you check
the roadworthiness of the caravan, (including: chassis, brakes,
suspension and hitch) you should also check the interior for
compliance with fire safety regulations. Although not legally
required, it’s worth checking which side the door is on to prevent
any nasty surprises when stopped by the side of the road!
- Are spare parts and servicing readily
available? – If you’re buying an older model of caravan you’ll want
to check that spare parts are still stocked by repairers. Older
caravans are more likely to develop faults and could be tricky to
fix especially if the manufacturer no longer makes that model. Even
simple items such as hinges and catches on cupboards can be a major
inconvenience to replace if they fail.
Specification
- Specification – As with
anything, you get what you pay for. As you’re looking around a
caravan, ask yourself, am I getting a high enough spec for my
money. Also be sure to check the user manual for the original spec
of the caravan to establish which items have been added by previous
owners. If items have been added, be sure to check how well they
have been installed. You don’t want to have to put right someone
else’s shoddy workmanship.
- Does everything work? - High
end caravans are likely to have a large amount of mod cons. It’s
best to check that everything works before you take the caravan off
the hands of the seller. Remember, you must prove that any faults
you find after purchasing your caravan were there before you took
it away. If you cannot prove this or if you have missed the six
month window, you will have to repair these faults yourself and the
seller will not be legally obligated to fix them free of charge.
Similarly, if the seller brings a fault to your attention and you
decide to buy any way, the seller will not be obligated to fix
these faults. As previously mentioned, also make sure you check any
DIY jobs to ensure the workmanship is of a satisfactory
quality.
Is it easy to live with?
- Is it easy to live with? –
Buying a caravan can be a big investment. You therefore want your
caravan to be with you for a long time. In keeping with this idea,
you should always check how easy your caravan is to live with. For
example, how easy is it to make up the bed? Are the water and waste
connections easy to get to? Are there enough work surfaces in the
kitchen? Don’t be afraid to ask the seller to demonstrate any of
these things to enable you to get a clear idea of what you’re going
to be dealing with.
The awning
- The awning – This can be an
essential part of your caravan. Ask the seller how easy it is to
erect and how many it sleeps. Also be sure to check all the
relevant components are present. Missing a pole or guy rope can be
very frustrating!
Documents
- Documents – Just like buying
a car, it’s important that you ask to see all the relevant
registration documents. Remember to ask for service records,
receipts, handbooks and CRiS documentation. This will provide you
with evidence that the caravan has been well kept, that it is not
stolen and will allow you to compare the original spec of the
caravan with the current set up to see if any DIY improvements have
been made.
How can I tell if it’s stolen?
- How can I tell if it’s
stolen? – Sadly, we live in a world where these things are
necessary to check. You don’t need to be Columbo to establish if
there is something fishy going on. There are a few give aways such
as signs of forced entry on the door and damage around the wheel
arches or wheel rims where a wheel clamp may have been
removed.
- Documents will also be a
give-away – if the seller is reluctant to show receipts or
the chassis number plate has been removed, you would be right to be
suspicious and walk away from the offer.
- Check the CRiS number. This can be found on
the chassis of the caravan and should have documentation to match.
Make a note of the 17 digit vehicle ID and check in with the CRiS
hotline (01722 411430). CRiS will be able to tell you the back
ground of the caravan and whether the seller is the legitimate
owner.
Is it watertight?
- Is it watertight? – This may
sound like an obvious question but some older caravans may be prone
to dampness and the occasional leak. The most accurate way to
measure this would be using a moisture meter. One of these can be
purchased from any good DIY shop for around £20. Check around any
water tight appliances such as the sink to make sure the seals are
not rotten and that there is no moisture in the surrounding areas.
Also check inside surrounding cupboards and bed lockers to see if
any of the wood is swollen or soft through moisture/rot.
Additional checks
- Additional checks – Some
final things to consider; check for corrosion on the underside of
the caravan. When checking the tyres – as well as the tread, be
sure to note if they look old in general. Bear in mind that tyre
walls can be as much of a safety concern as the tread. Ensure the
corner steadies are easy to operate and work smoothly. Make sure
you ask for a handbook. If it is missing this can be a real
inconvenience as the handbook will tell you all sorts of
information such as the location of fuses. Below is an extensive
but not exhaustive list of things to check ;
- Mechanics – Chassis, brakes,
suspension, hitch
Doors and locks – check working order and
smoothness
Cupboard doors – hinges and catches
Taps and other accessories involving water – does
the water pump run? Are the pipes clean? Is everything water
tight?
The awning rail – is it securely attached to the
caravan wall? Can you see any forced damage?
Some 25,000 new caravans come on to the UK market year on year.
But if you look hard enough you can find a peach without the
inflated price of buying brand new. On the flip side, make sure you
do your research to make sure you don’t end up with a horror
show!
