How Much Is My Caravan Worth?

There are a few reasons why you might want to find out what your caravan is worth, including using that information for insurance purposes, or ensuring that you get the right price when the time comes to sell (for whatever reason).

At Spinney we can assess and value your caravan, making sure we offer you a balanced and fair price. Please note that we only accept vehicles that are a maximum of seven years old and for which there is a full service history. You can begin the simple process of valuation by completing our online form.

You don’t just have to sell your caravan and pocket the cash. You can also part-exchange it (i.e. use its value to contribute towards a new cash price or deposit on a new vehicle from Spinney).

–  This is a popular route for our customers to take, as this recent online review at Local Guides shows: “When it came to replacing our caravan Spinney seemed the natural choice. We opted for a part exchange; the whole process start to end was a joy. No pressure, no rush, no hard sale, just 100% fantastic service”.

What do we base our valuation on?

It’s fairly obvious, really, but there are particular things which, as a caravan dealer, we will base a caravan valuation on. It’s not a completely closed eco-system, though, and all of these things are interdependent. They are:

Age: How old your caravan is will have an impact on valuation. As a general rule, the older it is then the lower the value. From a buyer perspective this means all of our used caravans are available at great prices.

Condition: Another general rule is that most pre-owned caravans are well looked after. Almost everyone who spends money on a caravan will protect their value by looking after it as best they can, taking care of cleaning and maintenance as and when required. You’ll definitely find that the valuation is higher the better the condition of the caravan.

Performance: If there are things ‘wrong’ with the caravan (if the shower doesn’t quite work correctly, or one of the windows doesn’t comfortably shut and lock, for example) then this is going to affect the valuation. The good part of buying a pre-owned caravan is that the original owner will probably have used any warranty period to deal with snags and faults.

Service History: An intact service history is an important part of a valuation. Making sure you have the correct paperwork to reflect the service history is important. A service history without gaps is attractive to potential buyers as it means the history of the vehicle’s upkeep can be followed.

Size: Usually, the bigger your caravan then the better the valuation will be. Just like when it was brand new, a larger caravan is worth more than a smaller caravan.

Extras: If you have improved on the basic manufacturer’s specification of your model, then this should increase valuation. The addition of things like media packs, an awning, or external BBQ points etc (often included in dealership packs included at the original point of purchase) can increase the valuation.

There are certain questions which, as a dealership, we get asked over and over about caravan values and valuations, so we’ll answer them here.

General FAQs about caravan value

Do caravans hold their value, and how much do they depreciate?

There has long been common acceptance that when you buy a brand new car the value of it immediately drops as you drive off the forecourt. It’s the same with other vehicles, including caravans. When you buy one from new, its value decreases as soon as you leave the showroom. In the first year the value could depreciate by as much as 20% of the price paid at new. The upside is that a used caravan will hold its price better, or, in other words, the rate of depreciation slows considerably the older the caravan gets.

What is the average lifespan of a caravan?

The good news is that the average lifespan of a touring caravan is around fifteen years. This can possibly be extended the more care and attention to maintenance is lavished on the vehicle during its lifetime. If you are interested in buying a pre-owned caravan then it’s worth checking out the general availability of spares. You could even see if there’s an owner’s club you could join (online, perhaps) as this can be a great source of tips and advice.

When is the best time to sell my caravan?

A great time to sell is before the caravan reaches seven years old. This is roughly the halfway point in its lifespan, and it’s the point at which Spinney won’t buy (or accept in part exchange). Beyond that point you will find success by selling the caravan privately – perhaps online, through a vehicles magazine or on eBay. Talking in terms of the time of year to sell, early in the calendar year is good, and you may get a slightly better price at this point. Between January and May tends to be the best time of the year for selling.

Where is the best place to sell my caravan?

This one is obvious! Spinney is the best place to sell. Provided your caravan meets our criteria, we offer a straightforward process and will offer you a good valuation / price. All you have to do to get the ball rolling is fill in our online valuation enquiry form. Remember, Spinney offers a wide range of leisure vehicles including new caravans for sale, so if you’re looking to upgrade in part exchange, you’re sure to find something to suit.