WHERE TO BUY YOUR CARAVAN
Not sure about where to buy your caravan? Here are the pros and cons of the different ways of purchasing…
From a dealership
Pros
The caravan will have been inspected and (hopefully) any issues fixed. If not, they should be pointed out to you, so you can make an informed decision before buying
You could be offered a warranty
You legally have more comeback if something goes wrong
Cons
You will generally pay a higher price than you would when buying via a private sale
You might find you are less able to haggle than in a private sale
From a private seller (online or classifieds)
Pros
You’re likely to get a better deal than you would with a dealership You might find that additional accessories (such as an awning) are included in the sale
Cons
You have much less legal comeback if something goes wrong
You won’t get any warranty over and above that originally offered by the manufacturer, assuming it’s still in date
3 Buying privately
Private purchases are covered by the principle of caveat emptor (buyer beware): the responsibility for checking any purchase’s suitability or condition lies with the buyer. You’ll have little comeback if something proves to be wrong.
Private sellers often throw in lots of extras with the sale, but with dealerships, you’ll have to negotiate fairly hard.
If you’re planning to buy privately, you should always meet the vendor at their home to view the caravan, rather than in a random car park or at a service station on the motorway. You should also double check whether the van has any outstanding finance remaining on it.
4 Do your research
Research similar models for sale, to get a rough idea of the price you should pay.
It’s also a good idea to print out a screen grab, so you can check that the caravan you’re viewing is the same year as that stated in the advert.
Online forums – such as ours at www.practicalcaravan.com/ forum – can offer buyers a great deal of very useful advice and in-depth detail about problems to look out for with specific ranges and models.
5 Buying by part-exchange
If you already own a caravan, you might want to consider selling yours via a dealer in part-exchange for a different model. We look at this more closely on p92, but bear in mind that you’ll likely receive less than you would in a private sale, because the dealer needs to be able to make a profit on your caravan.
6 Inspect thoroughly before you buy
We would always recommend getting an external company to check over the van for you before you make your decision.
The National Caravan Council (NCC) offers a list of providers via its Approved Workshop Scheme; you can find more details at www. approvedworkshops.co.uk/preownedprepurchase.
If you don’t want to incur the additional cost of having an
‘We would recommend getting an external company to check over the van for you’
independent expert check out your prospective purchase, do make sure that you give the van a thorough inspection yourself. See our hints and tips on p88.
7 Keep an eye out for scammers
Take extra care when buying online, to avoid the danger of potential scams. Look out for prices that seem exceptionally good value, and always check for full address and contact details on dealership websites.
Remember the golden rule: if a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is! And never get involved in sales with vans that are ‘abroad at the moment’ – it’s very likely to be a scam. When you’re buying privately, never part with any cash before seeing the caravan in person.
8 Haggle for the best bargain
Whether you’re buying from a dealer or privately, use any problems you find, along with the associated repair costs, to negotiate on price. Take a pen and paper with you to make notes, and factor in the time and travel the repairs will incur.
9 Get a CRIS check
Have a CRIS check done on any secondhand tourer. This compares its VIN number with a database listing stolen, damaged and written-off vehicles. The 17-digit CRIS number will be displayed on at least seven of the van’s windows, and stamped onto the chassis as well.
Thieves often try to remove the number by grinding or scratching it off. Walk away from any caravan with CRIS damage. Find out more at cris.co.uk/cris-check.
10 Think carefully about finance
If you’re buying through a dealer, various finance options may be available, offering you the chance to pay for the van over a longer timescale.
Always enter agreements with your eyes open – make sure you’re fully aware of the T&CS that you sign up to, and find out what will happen if you want to sell the van before your finance period is up.
‘Take a pen and paper with you to make notes, and factor in the time and travel that the repairs will incur’