Are New & Used Motorhome Prices Dropping?

Much like everything else in life, broadly speaking with new motorhomes you tend to get what you pay for – so if the cost is higher you should be able to count on more luxury, more features, more space and more power… But does the price ever drop or increase, and why? Under what circumstances might you end up with ‘less for more’ or ‘more for less’?

Although we’ve pulled you in with a title which is an attractive catch-all query about decreasing cost, in this blog we’re actually going to examine various aspects of motorhome pricing, and the reasons behind them – the features and factors which influence the cost, plus your additional financial obligations as an owner.

What Influences Motorhome Prices?

1. Motorhome Size

The size of your motorhome is a strong determining factor when it comes to cost. Motorhomes can, basically, be divided into five areas: driving area, social area, sleeping area, cooking area, washing area – in other words, the cab, the lounge, the bedroom, the kitchen and the bathroom. An increase in space in each of these areas – and in the motorhome over all – the more it is likely to cost.

When you are buying your motorhome, you are likely to have a fairly strict budget in place – but if you find that the motorhomes available to you within that budget don’t quite match up to your expectations in terms of available space, and are not likely to comfortably accommodate the lifestyle of your family, it is worth considering whether you can perhaps extend your budget somehow. Or so that you don’t overstretch your finances, how about looking into the idea of buying a pre-owned motorhome? Relatively speaking you will definitely get more for your money.

2. Motorhome Brand

The brand of your motorhome can have a direct bearing on its cost. There are many brands available, and some are more desirable and popular than others. Different manufacturers have different areas of expertise and strength or, rather, different ‘selling points’ for their products. Some motorhomes are packed with extremely luxurious features and details, while some are much more functional and focused on practicality.

We can easily explain it with a simple car analogy. A Rolls Royce is geared around intricate detailing and luxury, and a Toyota (for example) is good quality but based around power, practicality and reliability rather than apparently opulent features. Something like an Audi is a happy middle ground – a fantastic all-rounder. So it is with motorhomes. There is no one ‘right’ brand and it is often down to your own personal choice as to what is the most important dominant feature / perceived strength. The cost of it will be tied in to that.

3. Motorhome Layout

The layout of a motorhome is also an influence on how much it is going to cost, as is the number of berths. It may seem obvious to say, but a two-berth motorhome (i.e. a vehicle that can sleep two people) is almost certainly going to cost less than a four berth or a six berth. It’s always important to consider how many people are going to be using the motorhome regularly before you buy. There’s no sense spending your hard-earned cash on a two-berth motorhome for your family, just because it is within your budget. You need to look at the practical aspects of how you will be living – and who the motorhome witll actually be accommodating!

The features, whether built-in or available as additional purchases (perhaps in add-on packs) will increase the cost of your motorhome. Similarly, any extra equipment and gadgets you require are going to push the price up. Investing in used motorhomes will negate some of these costs as these add-on packs will already have been paid for by the original owner.

What Is the Average Cost of a Motorhome?

Earlier in this blog we mentioned that the size of your motorhome will affect its cost. You won’t be surprised, therefore, to learn that the larger type of motorhome – A-Class – costs more than the smaller type (Coachbuilt). A-Class motorhomes offer more space and features, and so come in at a higher price. You will be looking at upwards of £100,000 for a brand new A-Class motorhome, though in some higher-end cases the cost will be significantly more. Coachbuilt motorhomes, on the other hand, are smaller and tend to have fewer features so cost less – with around £75,000 as a benchmark starting point for a brand new model.

If you are looking at the used motorhomes market, the average price for each class does tend to drop. Pre-owned A-Class motorhomes tend to start at around £75,000 with the price continuing in an upwards trend based on all of the factors discussed in the previous section. Used Coachbuilt motorhomes tend to start at around £40,000. Again, you can use the prices quoted here as a rough benchmark for what you should be expecting to pay.

Other Costs to Owning a Motorhome

There are further costs to owning a motorhome. Owning one is not a simple case of buying from the forecourt, driving away and not having to spend anything else. In common with other motor vehicles (cars, bikes etc) there are additional legal obligations. These things are:

1. Insurance

This is very important – essential, in fact – so cannot be ignored or put to one side to deal with later. Insurance protects you and other road users, and is a legal requirement. It protects you from financial loss and liability if there is an accident.

2. Road Tax

Again, this is a legal requirement. ‘Road tax’ is an annual cost paid to the government, which is then, in theory, filtered back into the road network of the UK. The amount of road tax applicable to your particular motorhome is dependent on its weight and size etc, so you should check this at gov.uk.

3. Running Costs

I.e. fuel, maintenance, servicing, MOT etc. These will all vary dependent on the class, model, age and condition of your motorhome, and whether it has been regularly serviced. The general running costs of a motorhome will depend on how often you use it and how far you go in it – and therefore your expenditure on fuel can vary massively and is impossible to pin down to a specific figure.

In conclusion, it’s difficult to say whether motorhome prices are rising or falling as it depends on so many factors, so many ‘moving parts’. What we can say for certain is that once you make the commitment and invest in a motorhome – whether from brand new or a used model – you will never look back. Similarly if you opt for something smaller, a new campervan, say, or a used campervan. It’s the dream lifestyle and, ultimately, you will look back on your time at the wheel, off to new places with family and friends, and you’ll find it has been worth every penny.

New & Used Motorhomes at Spinney

At Spinney, we are proud to be able to supply our customers with the choice of a huge choice of motorhomes as well as new and used campervans for sale. As a motorhome and camper dealer with great reputation, it’s our privilege to work with you and make sure you get exactly what you want for the price you can afford or want to pay. Whether it’s second-hand campervans or brand-new motorhomes, Spinney is the place to visit!