Best way to sell a caravan
Discussion
So after 18 months, we've decided caravanning isn't, for us at least, the recipe for a relaxing holiday. We bought new 18 months ago, with the advice of friends and family to 'make sure you buy a used 'van', ringing in our ears.
Where is the best place to offload an 18 month old caravan? Trying a few dealers but the buggers are low balling and I'm not sure they want a European 'van. There's autotrader, but does anyone buy a caravan privately these days? At least one that's relatively new and not scumtree material.
It's a four berth 2016 Adria Adora 612 Seine, with a motor mover, in very good nick, used only a handful of times. Any tips who/ where to try?
Where is the best place to offload an 18 month old caravan? Trying a few dealers but the buggers are low balling and I'm not sure they want a European 'van. There's autotrader, but does anyone buy a caravan privately these days? At least one that's relatively new and not scumtree material.
It's a four berth 2016 Adria Adora 612 Seine, with a motor mover, in very good nick, used only a handful of times. Any tips who/ where to try?
First of all, you are going to have to accept that you are going to take a hit on this. Buying new and selling on in 18 months is going to hurt.
You are doing it at a good time of year so that helps.
Ebay as a classified ad will give you a wide audience. Are there any on there similar to yours?
Autotrader doesnt really give benefits with a caravan.
Don't think of the amount you will lose but what you can do with the money you will get. It is better doing something you want with the money than it sotting in a caravan you don't want.
I sold my tourer on Ebay, got a good price with no hassle. I bought used which of course helped to sell at a market friendly price. You will get low ballers but as long as it's significantly more than the dealer, you shouldn't be too unhappy.
Make sure your photos are immaculate with the van parked in a nice location.
I moved mine to a lovely farm for a week for viewings whilst I was selling it. That alone probably got me 10% more than I would have got otherwise.
You are doing it at a good time of year so that helps.
Ebay as a classified ad will give you a wide audience. Are there any on there similar to yours?
Autotrader doesnt really give benefits with a caravan.
Don't think of the amount you will lose but what you can do with the money you will get. It is better doing something you want with the money than it sotting in a caravan you don't want.
I sold my tourer on Ebay, got a good price with no hassle. I bought used which of course helped to sell at a market friendly price. You will get low ballers but as long as it's significantly more than the dealer, you shouldn't be too unhappy.
Make sure your photos are immaculate with the van parked in a nice location.
I moved mine to a lovely farm for a week for viewings whilst I was selling it. That alone probably got me 10% more than I would have got otherwise.
Also make a point of all the stuff you sell with it.
Aqua Roll
Waste Master
Awning
Ground Sheet
Ramps
Gas Bottles and Regulators
Water hoses
Wheel clamps and or hitch locks
Maybe even the cutlery that you have. Sell it ready to roll as it can cost over £1k for the above. You don’t get that lot for free when buying second hand from a dealer.
Aqua Roll
Waste Master
Awning
Ground Sheet
Ramps
Gas Bottles and Regulators
Water hoses
Wheel clamps and or hitch locks
Maybe even the cutlery that you have. Sell it ready to roll as it can cost over £1k for the above. You don’t get that lot for free when buying second hand from a dealer.
My brother sold his motorhome on E-bay, had loads of .interest, although to be fair it was only £8,500.
He had it two years and made £1000, having had four nice holidays.
He has now bought a two year old one for £30k.
Several dealers he spoke to also advised him to sell on Ebay also.
Obviously you are going to take a bit hit, as straight away you are losing dealers profit before you start.
Why not stick it out a couple more years, you may grow to love it?
The golden rule with this stuff is never be a desperate seller, or buyer, bide your time to get a good outcome.
He had it two years and made £1000, having had four nice holidays.
He has now bought a two year old one for £30k.
Several dealers he spoke to also advised him to sell on Ebay also.
Obviously you are going to take a bit hit, as straight away you are losing dealers profit before you start.
Why not stick it out a couple more years, you may grow to love it?
The golden rule with this stuff is never be a desperate seller, or buyer, bide your time to get a good outcome.
Some interesting responses, thanks. Will give it a go on a couple of channels, probably the EBay for starters and some farcebook pages, just to test the water. I'm expecting to take a hit on it, just not prepared to offload at all costs, so who knows it may stay if we can't get rid for a sensible figure. We spent a good couple of £k on top of the cost of the van for all the other kit newbies need (or don't need): aerial/ satellite gear, alko wheel and hitch locks, chairs, tables, aquaroll, leisure battery, and the list goes on. That lot will probably be flogged separately unless a private buyer rocks up and needs it.
I think caravanning can be great and it worked for us when we had just the one child, but when he hit toddler stage and little sister came along, it became a slightly different kettle of fish.
More like a tin can full or pirhanas to be honest.
Just not the tonic you need when all you want is a bit of respite from the weekly slog!
I think caravanning can be great and it worked for us when we had just the one child, but when he hit toddler stage and little sister came along, it became a slightly different kettle of fish.
More like a tin can full or pirhanas to be honest.
Just not the tonic you need when all you want is a bit of respite from the weekly slog!
I wouldn’t count on the extras being worth much 2nd hand.
Battery - how much use?
Aqua Roll - shopping costs is it clean?
Awning - Will it fit buyers van?
Chairs - £10 each at best normally as 2nd hand
Wheel locks and hitch locks. - you might keep a key. Most people buy new when buying.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but £2k of kit is probably worth best of £400. Inc Awning.
Battery - how much use?
Aqua Roll - shopping costs is it clean?
Awning - Will it fit buyers van?
Chairs - £10 each at best normally as 2nd hand
Wheel locks and hitch locks. - you might keep a key. Most people buy new when buying.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but £2k of kit is probably worth best of £400. Inc Awning.
What about the specialist magazines and websites? Surely they'd run a decent ad cheaply.
https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans/sell-my...
https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans/sell-my...
I would try eBay, maybe even an auction format with a reserve. We were looking a few weeks ago for a specific Adria (not the same budget as yours unfortunately), and bid on a decent looking van but it went beyond what I was expecting based on quite a bit of research, which was great news for the seller.
There will be people out there looking out for your specific model, so I am sure you will sell as Adria are great vans. We had a 2007 Altea 432PX back in 2009 to live in when we built our house and sold it on eBay without any issues. We are now looking for a similar van to live in whilst we do holiday lets in said house...
There will be people out there looking out for your specific model, so I am sure you will sell as Adria are great vans. We had a 2007 Altea 432PX back in 2009 to live in when we built our house and sold it on eBay without any issues. We are now looking for a similar van to live in whilst we do holiday lets in said house...
Ebay certainly gets exposure to the vast audience - I advertised a car on Gumtree and had 30 viewings in 5 days, on Ebay it was at 30 viewings after 1 hour, and 2 buyers wanting it 'saved for me to get around tomorrow' in 2 days. Be aware of the different costs of placing the add though. The classified (pay up front) ad may cost a fixed fee (I think £18), and no extra when it sells, but if you go for a regular auction ad you won't pay unless it sells, but it could cost 10% of sale price.
Above may not be correct now as my sale was a couple of years ago, but probably similar.
Above may not be correct now as my sale was a couple of years ago, but probably similar.
The other point is selling the van with the accessories means you are more likely targeting the new buyer. People upgrading usually will part exchange there seem to be more benefits part ex'ing caravans then cars.
A new to caravan buyer is probably looking to save a bit of money on dealer prices, but would be prepared to get a ready to roll van for the same money as a dealer. Think of all the time you spent sorting the extras.
Selling the van as empty will probably mean you end up selling some of the bits to the same people that buy the van. When I was looking 2nd hand first off I was mainly looking at kitted out vans. Next van will be new one from a dealer.
A new to caravan buyer is probably looking to save a bit of money on dealer prices, but would be prepared to get a ready to roll van for the same money as a dealer. Think of all the time you spent sorting the extras.
Selling the van as empty will probably mean you end up selling some of the bits to the same people that buy the van. When I was looking 2nd hand first off I was mainly looking at kitted out vans. Next van will be new one from a dealer.
Ebay classified ad proved highly successful when i offloaded mine
I thought the price would put most people off (£12K), but i had my first call within 30 mins of the listing going up and following a lot of calls, it was sold that same evening.
In fact, the people buying it were so keen they bought it despite not having a towbar. They offered me £50 to tow it back to their house - i happily accepted!
Probably should have asked for more!
I thought the price would put most people off (£12K), but i had my first call within 30 mins of the listing going up and following a lot of calls, it was sold that same evening.
In fact, the people buying it were so keen they bought it despite not having a towbar. They offered me £50 to tow it back to their house - i happily accepted!
Probably should have asked for more!
bedonde said:
It's a four berth 2016 Adria Adora 612 Seine, with a motor mover, in very good nick, used only a handful of times. Any tips who/ where to try?
Something like this?https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/192449845002
Looking at the drop from 2018 to 2017, I guess yours is worth about £15k?
That's pretty much it, except ours doesn't have the silver/grey front section which came into fashion on Adrias last year, I think. Have seen used ones at dealers the same year as ours at circa 17k, obviously without the kit (mover, awning and all the rest). I think we'll try eBay and a couple of specialist websites first.
Update. We've had a good response on eBay and a couple of interested parties with viewings possibly next weekend. One question - when selling a relatively big ticket item; how do you deal with payment? Buyer suggesting online bank transfer which is relatively instantaneous, but are these irrevocable and should I take any, urmm, precautions?
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