where to BUY
You’re ready to buy a caravan, but should you buy from a dealer or a private seller? Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each option
You’ve made the decision to buy a caravan, and you can’t wait to start shopping. However, it’s important to take your time during this process, because there’s a lot to think about. Not least is where to buy your caravan from. It may be tempting to head straight online, bash ‘caravans for sale’ into Google and excitedly jump on a bargain, but beware. While there are undoubtedly good deals to be had, there are pitfalls out there, too.
Where is best to buy a caravan? Let’s take a closer look at what to consider when buying from a caravan retailer or dealer, and buying privately.
BUYING FROM A CARAVAN RETAILER
If you buy from a reputable and respected caravan retailer, you should be reassured of certain important facts that help to protect your purchase. These include:
O That the caravan you are considering buying has been checked to detect whether it has previously been stolen, has any outstanding finance against it, or anything else in its history to cause concern.
O That you are paying the correct and fair price – in other words the market value – for the model, its condition and its year of manufacture.
O That the condition of the caravan has been checked. It should have a gas safety check before you take delivery of your new vehicle.
O You can also ask for a caravan to be tested for any sign of water ingress. This is a common problem in older caravans and can’t always be seen. A damp meter test will uncover if any area of the caravan is showing signs of moisture lurking beneath the surfaces.
Depending on the age of the caravan, you may also get a warranty with your purchase.
O That it has CRiS registration. CRiS is the national register of UK touring caravan keepers, similar to the DVLA, and is recognised by the regulatory bodies, insurance companies and government organisations. It proves you are the registered keeper and links a caravan’s unique 17-digit VIN (vehicle identification number) to a CRiS keeper record of the caravan.
Dealers may offer free starter packs with selected caravans, so you may benefit from a battery, or a water container for example
Buying from a dealer may also provide other advantages. Many dealers offer free starter packs with selected caravans, so you may benefit from a battery, a waste and fresh water container, a gas cylinder, and other extras as incentives to buy. Don’t buy a caravan just because of any extras, but if you’ve found a model you like, and decided to buy, it’s worth negotiating with a dealer to see what offers it may have available.
BUYING FROM A PRIVATE VENDOR
That’s not to say that buying privately is to be avoided at all costs – not at all. You’re likely to be able to get more for your money by buying privately, but there is more of a risk. If you know the person selling the caravan, then it’s much less of a risk, but if you’re responding to an online advert posted by a seller, be careful.
Buying privately, you’re unlikely to get a caravan that has been thoroughly checked over – certainly not in the same way as it would with a reputable dealer. More likely, it’s a case of the caravan being sold as seen, so you’re relying on the honesty and knowledge of the vendor. Any responsibility on checking the condition of the caravan comes down to you.
Before you make an appointment to view the caravan in person, spend some time researching the model, age and price of it online; compare these details with other similar or identical caravans to see if you’re getting a fair deal.
If you find an equivalent caravan and the price of the one you are planning to buy is significantly more or less, pause for thought. If the price is much higher, you’ll be paying too much – and know there is perhaps a better deal elsewhere – while, if it’s much lower, it’s not necessarily good news. This might indicate there are issues with the caravan you have shortlisted.
When you do visit the vendor to view the caravan, it’s a good idea to follow a few steps. Firstly, meet the vendor at their home to view the caravan. If a meeting in an anonymous car park is suggested, that’s a potential red flag.
Ask to see paperwork – ownership documents, service history, warranty, and so on. A trusted private vendor should have this ready for you. When you make contact to set up the meeting, request these documents.
You can also run a CRiS check on the caravan, which will provide a comprehensive history check on any pre-owned vehicle. This costs £17.95* and will reveal if a caravan has been reported as stolen, has outstanding finance, has been written off by an insurance company, and if it is registered to a keeper (so if it’s someone different to the vendor you are meeting, this poses a risk).
Thoroughly inspect the caravan, inside and out, paying close attention to electrics when plugged into the mains and also when running off the leisure battery to check both are working correctly. If you’re not confident about what to look out for, use an AWS-accredited technician for this. You’ll get a pre-purchase inspection report and the confidence that a pro has looked it over.
WHY BUY AT A SHOW?
First of all, buying a caravan at a show is a good idea. Why? In short, you can see many models from several manufacturers all in one place and likely catch some helpful seminars while you’re there.
Caravan shows can save you hours of driving between dealers to find the make and model you want, and you can also often find great show deals available, too.
However, there are avoidable pitfalls to buying a caravan at a show, so you don’t buy in haste and repent at leisure.
Don’t worry. This guide will help you cut through the confusion to pick the perfect new caravan for you at a show. Follow these simple steps to make it enjoyable and stress-free.
1
Make a shortlist
Surely you make a shortlist at the show? No. Make a list of what interests you before you go. Make a shortlist of caravans to see using the following criteria:
a Berths — How many beds (berths) do you need; two, three, four or more?
b Layout — Do you want fixed beds, make-up beds or bunk beds? What’s the lounge like?
c Weight — You need to know if your car can tow the caravans on your shortlist.
d Budget — How much can you afford? You might buy the caravan on finance or outright.
2 Plan your day at the show
From your shortlist, visit caravan manufacturer websites to check if they have a model which fits your criteria. Check the show website to see if the models on your list will be at the show. Among the main caravan brands in the UK are: O Adria — ranges include Alpina, Adora, Action and Altea
O Bailey of Bristol — ranges include Discovery, Phoenix, Unicorn, Pegasus and Alicanto O Buccaneer — models include Bermuda and Commodore O Coachman — ranges include Acadia, VIP, Laser and Lusso (its most luxurious)
O Compass —ranges include Camino and Casita O Elddis — ranges include Avante, Affinity and Crusader
O Swift — ranges include Sprite, Challenger, Elegance and Basecamp O Xplore — models include 304 and 422
Other caravan brands to look at include Eriba, Hymer, Hobby,
Knaus and Airstream.
Check when the show opens and closes. Time flies at a show. If your shortlist is long, viewing all the models on it takes longer than you think, especially at a big show – such as the Motorhome & Caravan Show at the NEC in Birmingham – where there might be some distance between stands. Give yourself time to visit each model, to inspect each thoroughly, make notes and ask questions.
When you arrive at the show, get
3 When you’re on each manufacturer stand
Be prepared when you visit each manufacturer’s stand. ‘Hi, what are you looking for today?’ is a question you’re likely to hear from one of the salespeople on the stands holding a clipboard, hoping to get a sale from you. If you don’t feel ready, don’t get into any conversations with salespeople until you have seen all the models on your list.
Visit the model (or models) on the stand, take photos of the exterior, the interior and the information panel for each caravan. Check if there is a deal on the model. Is it a price deal? Is the deal for accessories, like a motor mover or an awning? Get the information for each model and move to the next stand to give it some thought.
When you have all the information you need, it’s time for a well-earned cuppa and a break.
Don’t be afraid to be ruthless and delete any models which you feel did not meet your expectations in real life
4 Shorten the shortlist
The next step is to look through all the details you have for each caravan model. Decide what you liked and disliked. Some layouts might be good in principle, but not so good in reality. Don’t be afraid to be ruthless and delete any models which you feel did not meet your expectations in real life.
You might only have one or two caravans on your list. But, that’s good. It makes it easier to go back to the salespeople and start a conversation about striking a deal.
5
Striking the deal
The salespeople on the stands are from dealerships. They want to do business with you, of course. And, they will have deals available to tempt you into signing up to buy at the show. But you’ve always got time to consider your options.
The salespeople might offer you more than what’s on display.
In addition to, say, an awning as a sweetener to you, ask what else they can do for you. You might get a further discount on the price. Or, they might offer you accessories.
Big items include motor movers or awnings. Small items might be outdoor furniture, awning carpets, upgrades to upholstery, or TVs. Always ask, negotiate and make sure you understand the warranty on the caravan.
6 Understand the impact of a dealer’s location
The convenience of agreeing to buy a caravan from a dealer at a show is obvious. But, you must understand an important part of owning a caravan, namely the location of the dealership.
When you buy a caravan at a show, the dealership might not be close to your home, or where you plan to store it. When it’s time to service your caravan during its warranty, your local dealership is unlikely to service it for you.
You will have to tow your caravan to the dealership that sold it to you. That could mean towing the caravan a long way each time it needs a service. If the dealership can’t service it while you wait, that adds a return trip to pick it up.
7 Dealer specials
Dealers often have special models adapted for them by manufacturers. These dealer special models are unique caravans built on a standard model that are sold exclusively by that dealer and well worth a look.
Their unique features might be special furnishings, upholstery or equipment. The additions make dealer specials more expensive than standard models. But, the cost of buying those extras as upgrades or separate purchases is often more expensive than getting them included in a dealer special model, so do your homework.
That’s why dealer special caravans are good value for money, and worth considering for your shortlist when buying your first ’van.