You may well have already purchased a secondhand caravan or motorhome in the past and while you did your research and tried to cover every possible base, there were more than a few little issues that you had during multiple viewings.

In an effort to help you to avoid repeating this mistake in the future, here are some important things to look for in a used motorhome or caravan.

Beware of Online Scams & Fake Auctions

As with many other areas of modern life, if something looks and sounds too good to be true, unfortunately it probably is, and this couldn’t be more applicable to the world of secondhand motorhomes.

Scams from dodgy dealers and even auction sites that simply don’t have one caravan or motorhome to sell in the first place are on the rise right now, so remember this golden rule: Never send one penny to anyone without viewing the vehicle in person yourself beforehand.

Stick to Main Dealerships

When looking for established and respected suppliers who will help you buy motorhomes and caravans to suit your budget, personality, and core needs, wherever possible, it’s strongly advisable to stick to main dealerships if you can.

An exception to this rule could be, for example, when you’re selling your older model for a newer motorhome and therefore, have learned about a potential sale through the caravanning club you’ve been a member of for many years.

Additionally, and especially pertinently, if this is the first time you’ve ever owned a motorhome, reputable dealers will be more than willing to show you how everything works and what goes where in as much detail as you need.

Conduct a Thorough Inspection of the Vehicle

Unless you’re planning on taking a risk and buying a used motorhome from a local auction site, then you absolutely need to conduct a full and thorough inspection of the vehicle, in person, ideally more than once.

The best way to ensure you don’t neglect to examine a crucial component of the caravan is to imagine yourself driving, cooking, washing, and generally engaging in as many different steps as possible, checking everything as you go.

For example:

• Driving at night to check that the brakes, the lights, and the tracking are on point.
• Check the washing and wastewater facilities and whether the tank is replaceable or not.
• Check how you would store your belongings as well as how the fold-away bed functions.

Always Test Drive a Motorhome

Obviously, as long as you know that your current family car is in good condition and is durable, strong, and sturdy enough to tow a caravan, then there’s no real need to take it for a test tow, although obviously check the connections to ensure that they’re perfect.

With a motorhome, however, it’s absolutely vital that you take the time to test drive any potential motorhome, and ideally, you should be looking to arrange two separate test drives; one in the morning and one in the evening.