Five Questions to Ask When Buying a Used Motorhome

Everything you need to know about used motorhomes

Buying second-hand motorhomes isn’t always quite as straightforward as purchasing a brand-new model. While good quality vehicles and up-to-date paperwork are mandatory at some dealerships, like here at Spinney, this attention to detail isn’t experienced across the board. As a result, you’ll want to prepare a list of questions to ask when buying a used motorhome.

This blog will delve into exactly what questions you should ask and where the focus of your interest should be. But, if you’d rather do without the hassle of asking such questions, you can explore the second-hand motorhomes for sale at Spinney from the likes of Adria, Auto-Trail, Bailey, Elddis, Coachman, Roller Team and Swift at Spinney. Proud of our customer service and dedication to quality, at Spinney we sell used motorhomes that are built to last.

The five best questions to ask when buying a used motorhome

While some dealerships will answer these questions for you before you’ve even had the chance to ask, other sellers, particularly independent ones, should be quizzed as to the quality of their vehicles.

How old is the vehicle? Are there any defects?

Knowing the age of a motorhome is crucial for understanding the level of maintenance that will be required for upkeep, as well as for insurance purposes. In addition to this, knowing how many miles are on the motorhome is important for similar reasons, giving you an impression of how much use the vehicle has seen and how likely it might be to develop issues in the near future.

Being made aware of any defects, internally or externally is also crucial when purchasing a used motorhome. It is not unusual for second-hand vehicles to have slight faults or imperfections, and while a small dent or chipped paintwork might be aesthetically displeasing, other issues, such as mechanical flaws or internal electrical issues should be a red flag as, without maintenance, they will only get worse.

Have the necessary safety checks been carried out?

While official dealerships will ensure that the proper safety and maintenance checks have been done on all of their vehicles, this can’t be guaranteed for every seller. It is therefore essential that you inquire about whether the following legal and safety checks have been carried out, giving you peace of mind that your vehicle is roadworthy. At Spinney, we offer these checks as part of our servicing package.

• Gas safety check: Ask for a gas safety certificate if this applies to the type of used motorhome you wish to purchase.
• Habitation check: A full inspection of the vehicle that checks for dampness, leakages and water ingress.  
• HPI check: This verifies whether the vehicle is legitimate and not from a stolen source. It also establishes whether the vehicle is attached to any outstanding finance.

Carrying out a comprehensive 170-point check and full valet on each of our own vehicles before they’re made available for purchase, at Spinney we take care of all your habitation checks and mechanical inspections. With each of our motorhomes going through our experienced service centre where they’re attended to by industry professionals, with Spinney you can be assured of the highest quality service.

Do you have the service records and other documentation?

We’ve already discussed checking a used motorhome’s mileage and legal status on the road, but that’s not all the documentation that you should be provided with. Securing a comprehensive collection of the service reports and MOT records from the seller is imperative. This will help you discover any previously unknown mechanical issues and will also give you a better idea of how much insurance you are likely to pay on the vehicle.

After checking that the MOT is up to date, you’ll also want to make sure that you have the correct driving license to actually take the vehicle home with you. Whether you have the correct driving licence for a motorhome will depend on a number of factors.

One of the main factors you’ll want to check is the vehicle weight regulations, particularly maximum authorised mass (MAM). If a vehicle’s MAM, which includes the weight of the vehicle as well as its cargo, is over 3.5 tonnes then you’ll have to apply for a category C1 or category C licence and may want to delay buying the motorhome in question.

What warranty or guarantees do you offer?

Warranties and guarantees will differ greatly from one retailer to another, with smaller, independent sellers likely offering buyers no incentives at all to purchase their motorhomes. That’s why it’s so important to ask retailers what warranty packages or guarantees they provide, with this sometimes giving buyers the peace of mind they need to complete the deal.

Indeed, not every dealership can be as tempting as Spinney, with all our used motorhomes and second-hand caravans being sold with our Premium warranty package. Sold in collaboration with the administrator MB&G, this warranty covers failure to major vehicle components, including heating systems and engine parts. In addition, it also covers water ingress for vehicles up to seven years old, giving you total confidence in your vehicle.

Can I take it for a test drive?

Once you’ve had a personal inspection of the interior and exterior of your desired motorhome, taking it for a spin is crucial in order to understand how the vehicle handles. If a retailer, no matter if they’re independent or large and well-established, doesn’t allow you to take the motorhome for a test drive, this should be considered a major red flag. That’s why, at Spinney, we make sure that you can try our motorhomes before you buy.

Taking the motorhome out onto the road will give you a better idea of what it might be like to own, drive and live in. When driving the vehicle, you should look out for faults that might point to more serious issues down the road, such as:

• A stiff gearstick.
• Rattles and strange noises (especially coming from the engine).
• Unstable handling and steering.
• Faulty lights or indicators.

When conducting a test drive, try to think of as many questions as possible that you could ask the seller. It may be tricky to concentrate on the road while also getting a feel for the car and any possible issues, so many people find it useful to bring a passenger who can help you gather a list of potential questions.

Buy used motorhomes without any fuss

If you want to avoid the fuss and stress of purchasing a used motorhome from a potentially unreliable retailer, then contact us today and explore our wide range of motorhomes for sale. When buying from us, we make sure that you have everything you need to get started on the road, with quick answers to whatever queries you may have about your new purchase.

With decades of industry experience, we stock over 400 vehicles across our five branches in Cheshire, Staffordshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and North Wales. Selling each of our vehicles with a 170-point check and a quality guarantee, shop with Spinney to discover brand-new caravans, used campervans, cutting-edge motorhomes and much more.