What to Look for When Buying a Used Caravan

There’s no doubt that buying a used caravan can be a smart move which can save you money. You’ll get a new-to-you space which will change the way you spend your quality leisure time, and only have to shell out a fraction of the price you’d have paid for something brand new and straight off the production line. However, there are some things you should do before taking the plunge and handing over a wedge of your hard-earned.

Although some used models can seem immediately perfect, it’s wise to put in a bit of effort to learn more about the particular caravan you’re thinking of buying. It’s worth spending the time to make sure it’s up to the standard the price suggests, or the seller describes, and whether there are any issues which could develop or worsen, potentially costing you serious money in the future. You may even want to know about small faults that can be easily fixed. We’ve put together a list of tips on buying a second-hand caravan: the things you should look out for, and the things you should find out…

Check the caravan

Seeing something you want to buy online always comes with a degree of risk attached. Photographs don’t necessarily tell the whole story, particularly when it comes to vehicles of any kind. The caravan you see in the pictures online will probably look incredibly clean, basking beautifully in the sunlight parked up on someone’s drive – but that doesn’t mean it’s in close-to-mint condition.

You should always make an arrangement to take a look at the caravan in person before committing to buy or transferring any money to the person who currently owns it. If you’re not ‘au fait’ with the intricacies of vehicle mechanics, or even the basics, it’s worth taking along someone who is so that they can examine this aspect on your behalf. The whole process is more than just having a cursory look and kicking the tyres!

Damp and moisture damage

If you don’t already have one, invest in a moisture meter from your local hardware or an accessory store. It should be relatively inexpensive and is a really useful tool which will illustrate the level of moisture inside the caravan and give you an idea of whether it’s likely that there are unseen damp issues which need to be dealt with. Another early indicator of damp is a slightly musty or stale smell which lingers. Damp can be a big problem once it has ‘set in’ to a caravan. It can spoil internal furniture and, in the worst case scenario, if it’s left unchecked it can cause damage to the structure itself.

Internal areas you should check are cupboards, corners, bed boxes and storage lockers. You should also look at the roof and walls, and ‘get a feel’ for the floor – whether it is spongey underfoot or feels nice and solid. Also check the rubber seals at window frames and doorways and make sure that the windows and doors have a watertight fit when closed. Compromised seals can be a source of water ingress (and therefore damp problems). The glazing in windows and doors should also be checked for small cracks, crazing or breaches which could also be letting in water. Condensation between the panes in double-glazing units can also be a signal that something is not quite right.

Systems damage

The gas and electrical systems should always be checked, as if they are faulty there are potentially lethal consequences. You may need a professional to look at these areas for you. Ask the seller for any relevant certifications for these systems or appliances contained within these systems. Also check whether there has been any self-fixes, aka DIY work, done on these systems as this is important to know to point up potential problem spots.

The chassis and running gear

The condition of each of these parts of your caravan is a good indicator of whether you are buying something that is good value or walking into a situation that is likely to cost you a lot of money and time down the line. You should look for signs of corrosion on the chassis. Also look for signs of repairs to the exterior finish – traces of overpainting or filler, etc, are indicators that there may be problems not visible to the naked eye.

The mechanism which hitches the caravan to your towing vehicle (i.e.. your car or four-wheel drive) should move freely, and you should also check the condition of the rubber gaiter. The jockey wheel needs to be able to wind up or down with ease and rotate freely. The handbrake is also a part of the mechanisms that always needs to be functioning efficiently.

Age and other details

It should be relatively easy to establish the exact age of the caravan you’re looking to buy, and this can be a good measure for what the average condition of it should be, bearing in mind the acceptable levels of wear and tear and general use. From the age of the vehicle you should be able to work out whether the one you’re looking at represents exceptional value or is overpriced.

Extras

If the caravan you are looking to buy has a host of extras included (or for a nominal additional fee) – items such as a TV, a fridge etc – it’s always worth checking that these are functioning correctly, as if they’re not that is more expense for you in replacing them. If there are add-ons for the exterior (such as an awning) check that this is in good condition, and that any fittings required for it are also not damaged in any way.

Internals

Put in short and simple terms, is the caravan going to fulfil your lifestyle requirements? Does it have a kitchen that will function the way you need it to, are there enough beds, does it have a TV, enough seating, enough windows? Only you will know these things for sure – but they are worth considering seriously as you look around your potential purchase.

Paperwork

The person selling the caravan should have the correct documentation to detail the life of the caravan – its service history, receipts or invoices which detail any repair works undertaken etc. If the original manual or handbook is still to hand, it’s quite a good indicator that the seller has been taking care of the vehicle for the duration of their ownership.

HPI check

Caravans manufactured within the last three decades, i.e.. after 1992, have their VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) registered on the Caravan Registration Identification Scheme. The 17 digit VIN number is stamped on to the chassis, and on later models it should be etched into the windows. Running this check will confirm the identity of the van as well as detail if there is outstanding finance on it, as well as whether it has been reported as stolen or been recorded as an insurance write off at some point. Each of these things is very important to know or be reassured against.

Articles such as this one sometimes sign off very glibly, with some sort of “if it feels right, it is right” messaging, but we don’t believe that’s the case. You need to be as sure as possible of the condition of the caravan, as there are serious implications otherwise (for the state of your finances or, in worst case scenario, for your safety). We’d advise closely following the checks we’ve suggested above.

Buy from Spinney

When you buy a used caravan from Spinney, you can rest assured that there are high standards of checks that have been made before it has gone on sale. We are a family run business which prides itself on offering expertise and excellent quality customer service – and we’re committed to reducing the hassle of buying your new used caravan!