Tips on buying a used or second hand caravan
There’s a good reason caravan enthusiasts dub their vans a ‘home from home’, most modern tourers are built with fully functioning bathrooms and kitchens along with a long list of kit designed to keep you comfortable out on the road. You wouldn’t buy your next house sight-unseen, and the same applies to used or second hand caravans.
Viewing the caravan
Go and see the caravan! Book a viewing during daylight hours and make sure it’s on a flat surface so any scrapes or dubious-looking repair jobs can be seen more easily. Go through the inside and the outside with a fine tooth comb. Where possible check all the equipment is functioning, and invest in a damp meter to check for water ingress in common entry points, such as wheel arches, external lockers, windows, and under the sink.
It’s a good idea to prepare a checklist before you go and view the caravan to make sure you cover everything once you’re there.
Test the electrics the towing lights are working – you’ll need these to be operational when you tow the caravan away, and check the locks, hitch and wheel rims for sign of damage – this could indicate a security device has been forcibly removed. Finally, take someone with you who can offer a second opinion and prompt you to ask anything you may have forgotten.
How much should you pay for a used or second hand caravan?
Condition, age, equipment, usage, maintenance. there is no one defining factor that can determine the value of a used caravan. But to get a broad idea you can compare similar spec caravans on dealer forecourts or there are some useful online guides such as the CaravanBuyersGuide – a free online price comparison tool.
When to buy?
Early spring and autumn are traditionally good times of the year to bag a bargain when there’s a higher proportion of models being traded-in either side of the peak summer season. Similarly, in the period before Christmas dealers are clearing the decks for the New Year selling off old stock and getting forecourts ready for the next season models.
Checklist
- Paperwork – warranty (if applicable), service history, the CVR6 touring caravan registration document
- CRiS VIN – the unique vehicle identification number stamped on all NCC member caravans built after 1992
- Parts – if it’s an older caravan, check to see if spare parts are still readily available
- Make a list of internal and external fittings and equipment to check for signs of damage
