Buying privately

fredriley
fredriley Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited April 2018 in Motorhomes #1

Hi all

I'm looking to buy a van conversion just for myself, but dealership prices go from £25k upwards to £45k+ which makes me blanche. I know that dealers have whopping markups as I sold my old Chausson Welcome to a local dealer for £14k last year and I know that they had it on the market for about £20k. Which is fair enough - they've a living to make and people to keep in work. I'd like to look at private offerings, though, and avoid dodgy sites like eBay and Gumtree, so:

a) can folk here suggest websites or fora where you can find private sellers?

b) what precautions/checks would folk recommend before buying privately?

I did have my Chausson for a few good years but it was an awful tank to drive and my partner was never really into motorhoming, so it was pointless keeping it. I'd like to take trips to the Highlands on my own in a vehicle that's driveable on single-track roads, hence the desire for a van conversion, but I don't want it to cost an arm and a leg and an internal organ.

Cheers

Fred

Comments

  • Aspenshaw
    Aspenshaw Forum Participant Posts: 611
    500 Comments
    edited April 2018 #2

    This post has just appeared as the 'Motorhome Last Post'. Don't know where it's been or whether it has been answered. Auto Trader do a good guide:

    https://www.autotrader.co.uk/motorhomes/content/motorhome-buyers-guide

    Might be worth getting the gas and habitation electrics checked by an engineer from the MCEA. You have to watch out for scammers especially if it's too cheap, beware. I'd search the web to see whether the van you want is being offered at different locations.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
    10,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited April 2018 #3

    Buying privately is a minefield.

    That's good advice from Aspenshaw and you could also try Caravanfinder.

    http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/motorhomes.html

    Don't forget that one reason dealers need a mark up is to cover their warranty liability which is something you won’t have if you buy privately. That’s a two edged sword.

Categories