Buying a caravan privately
Discussion
Hi all,
As we are new to caravanning we were planning to buy our first ‘van from a dealer, the key reasons were;
- support and advice if I get stuck with anything
- a guarantee against damp etc
- a guarantee that no finance is owed
- plus all the other obvious reasons people buy from dealerships.
For the money we want to spend we were looking at a 2014 year caravan, however for the same money we can get a 2017 model year of the same caravan, from a private seller. I’m keen to explore this avenue (unless you guys tell me to avoid like the plague) especially since the advert states that the ‘van is still within manufacturers warranty.
My question is, what do I need to look out for when buying a 2017 model year caravan from a private seller?
- how do I check no finance is owed on it?
- what paperwork should I check is present and correct?
- How do I check the paperwork matches the caravan? Eg is there an equivalent to a log book and/or VIN number?
I usually buy my cars privately as I’m quiet happy checking all this, but having never owned a caravan I’m a bit unsure here.
Anything else I should look out for or need to know?
Thanks in advance. Rob
-
As we are new to caravanning we were planning to buy our first ‘van from a dealer, the key reasons were;
- support and advice if I get stuck with anything
- a guarantee against damp etc
- a guarantee that no finance is owed
- plus all the other obvious reasons people buy from dealerships.
For the money we want to spend we were looking at a 2014 year caravan, however for the same money we can get a 2017 model year of the same caravan, from a private seller. I’m keen to explore this avenue (unless you guys tell me to avoid like the plague) especially since the advert states that the ‘van is still within manufacturers warranty.
My question is, what do I need to look out for when buying a 2017 model year caravan from a private seller?
- how do I check no finance is owed on it?
- what paperwork should I check is present and correct?
- How do I check the paperwork matches the caravan? Eg is there an equivalent to a log book and/or VIN number?
I usually buy my cars privately as I’m quiet happy checking all this, but having never owned a caravan I’m a bit unsure here.
Anything else I should look out for or need to know?
Thanks in advance. Rob
-
Check, check and check again for damp.
Ask if it has had any issues resolved under warranty at the dealer.
Check CRIS registration.
Check for damp.
Ask to see any bills/history as lack of it may effect any manufacturer warranties. Should also contain a damp check.
Check for damp.
Search on caravan talk for common issues (what van is it?)
Check for damp.
Ask if it has had any issues resolved under warranty at the dealer.
Check CRIS registration.
Check for damp.
Ask to see any bills/history as lack of it may effect any manufacturer warranties. Should also contain a damp check.
Check for damp.
Search on caravan talk for common issues (what van is it?)
Check for damp.
snake_oil said:
Check, check and check again for damp.
Ask if it has had any issues resolved under warranty at the dealer.
Check CRIS registration.
Check for damp.
Ask to see any bills/history as lack of it may effect any manufacturer warranties. Should also contain a damp check.
Check for damp.
Search on caravan talk for common issues (what van is it?)
Check for damp.
Thanks. Ask if it has had any issues resolved under warranty at the dealer.
Check CRIS registration.
Check for damp.
Ask to see any bills/history as lack of it may effect any manufacturer warranties. Should also contain a damp check.
Check for damp.
Search on caravan talk for common issues (what van is it?)
Check for damp.
How do I check the CRIS registration.
It’s an Elddis.
Even if it does turn out to have damp, it would be covered under manufacturers warranty wouldn’t it?
snake_oil said:
Check, check and check again for damp.
Ask if it has had any issues resolved under warranty at the dealer.
Check CRIS registration.
Check for damp.
Ask to see any bills/history as lack of it may effect any manufacturer warranties. Should also contain a damp check.
Check for damp.
Search on caravan talk for common issues (what van is it?)
Check for damp.
Oh! and don't forget to check for damp, even in a year old one.Ask if it has had any issues resolved under warranty at the dealer.
Check CRIS registration.
Check for damp.
Ask to see any bills/history as lack of it may effect any manufacturer warranties. Should also contain a damp check.
Check for damp.
Search on caravan talk for common issues (what van is it?)
Check for damp.
JapanRed said:
Thanks.
How do I check the CRIS registration.
It’s an Elddis.
Even if it does turn out to have damp, it would be covered under manufacturers warranty wouldn’t it?
Providing it has been serviced in accordance with the manufacturers schedule, yes. But, you'd rather have a dry one.How do I check the CRIS registration.
It’s an Elddis.
Even if it does turn out to have damp, it would be covered under manufacturers warranty wouldn’t it?
We’ve bought our two vans privately. First one had damp which I knew about and repaired. 5 years on we bought a 3 month old van, again privately. We sold it for £300 less than purchased.
The other issue ( besides damp ) is you need to check is the previous service history for continuation of warranty and check the transfer cost and procedure. Plus check it’s been serviced by the approved manufacturers workshop scheme.
A quick Google will probably reveal common issues (like rear panel cracking ) etc.
Use you head and research. Personally I’ve never used a dealer and so far so good.
The other issue ( besides damp ) is you need to check is the previous service history for continuation of warranty and check the transfer cost and procedure. Plus check it’s been serviced by the approved manufacturers workshop scheme.
A quick Google will probably reveal common issues (like rear panel cracking ) etc.
Use you head and research. Personally I’ve never used a dealer and so far so good.
Bought my first caravan private on eBay which was 5 years old I think, it was an Abbey Cardinal and we didnt have a single bit of bother with that caravan after we did our homework etc.
Bought our second caravan brand new, twin wheeler swift lifestyle which we bought from a main dealer who's name sounds like it's linked to royalty and we've had loads of bother with the van.
Suppose what I'm saying is just b'cos you buy from a dealer don't think you won't get any problems. If you find a caravan privately, take a look at their house on Google street view, you can tell a lot about a man from his castle and I think with Caravans that's more true then anything else. A caravan parked on a terraced Street or an allotment is a no no but if they have it on their drive behind gates, nice house etc it's likely been looked after.
Another point is there is a network of approved NCC service fitters, if you search for your local mobile one they will check the caravan over for you before you part with cash (Well my local one does anyway). Happy hunting
Bought our second caravan brand new, twin wheeler swift lifestyle which we bought from a main dealer who's name sounds like it's linked to royalty and we've had loads of bother with the van.
Suppose what I'm saying is just b'cos you buy from a dealer don't think you won't get any problems. If you find a caravan privately, take a look at their house on Google street view, you can tell a lot about a man from his castle and I think with Caravans that's more true then anything else. A caravan parked on a terraced Street or an allotment is a no no but if they have it on their drive behind gates, nice house etc it's likely been looked after.
Another point is there is a network of approved NCC service fitters, if you search for your local mobile one they will check the caravan over for you before you part with cash (Well my local one does anyway). Happy hunting
carreauchompeur said:
General Price said:
If you are buying a 2017 van private,it will more than likely be the original owner selling so a stolen van shouldn't be a big worry.
Check the paperwork and any warranty work.
Check the paperwork and any warranty work.
or it’ll be someone selling it who recently nicked it, no?As said by other in this thread, get a CRiS check done. Check the service paperwork carefully. Most importantly when spending that kind of money go to www.approvedworkshops.co.uk and get a local mobile engineer to do a pre-purchase inspection for you. Should cost around £120 and take around an hour and a half but its money well spent. Inspection should cover all aspects of the caravan making sure you are aware of any hidden issues with the caravan.
If your in north Wales or the north west give me a shout.
If your in north Wales or the north west give me a shout.
In order to maintain the bodywork warranty on a motorhome, it has to be habitation checked at a dealer every year within 30 days +/- of its Build Date (that parameter might vary according to each make)
It might be worth just double checking in case that is required with a wobble box too...
...oh and in case it hasn't been mentioned, just check for damp too
It might be worth just double checking in case that is required with a wobble box too...
...oh and in case it hasn't been mentioned, just check for damp too
General Price said:
carreauchompeur said:
General Price said:
If you are buying a 2017 van private,it will more than likely be the original owner selling so a stolen van shouldn't be a big worry.
Check the paperwork and any warranty work.
Check the paperwork and any warranty work.
or it’ll be someone selling it who recently nicked it, no?Lots of very good advice in this thread and I would just reinforce the suggestion of getting a professional workshop to do a pre-purchase check particularly as you sound inexperienced. The cost will be well worth it particularly if it includes a comprehensive damp report.
As for the warranty, check and double check that not only has the caravan been serviced but check it's been done within the 'window' of dates that manufacturers insist their 'vans are serviced between. These are quite generous and usually several week s either side of the date of first registration but if the van has been serviced outside of them they warranty will have lapsed.
To check the requirements most manufacturers include these under the warranty details on their respective web sites.
As for the warranty, check and double check that not only has the caravan been serviced but check it's been done within the 'window' of dates that manufacturers insist their 'vans are serviced between. These are quite generous and usually several week s either side of the date of first registration but if the van has been serviced outside of them they warranty will have lapsed.
To check the requirements most manufacturers include these under the warranty details on their respective web sites.
Wacky Racer said:
Oh! and don't forget to check for damp, even in a year old one.
Definitely, the fact a 'van is new is in no way a guarantee a 'van is damp free. We had damp in a 2015 Swift that was less then 1 year old. And without casting aspersions on the seller who the oP is dealing with may indeed be a reason why the 'van is being sold. The original owner may have lost confidence in the 'van even after getting it fixed under warranty.LeadFarmer said:
Caravan warranties are usually with the dealer that the caravan was originally purchased from, and not with he manufacturer, so if the original buyer bought it from the other end of the country then that might be where you have to take to for warranty repairs.
I’m not sure that’s the case.Most manufacturers will let you use one of their approved dealers for warranty work.
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