What are the benefits of buying a used motorhome?

The appeal of motorhomes is without doubt. Life on the road in a van, or even just a few weeks holiday each year, is a very attractive proposition. It’s made all the better when you own the vehicle and it’s set up ‘just how you want it’.

There’s no getting around the fact that a motorhome is quite a sizeable investment to make, and buying one is something which you should give a lot of thought to, in an effort to get the most for your money. Even a budget of £40,000 or so is, these days, only likely to buy you an ‘entry level’ model with basic specifications. There’s nothing ‘low end’ about lower-end motorhomes, of course, as they’re all well-equipped and still offer decent value. But it is actually possible to bag yourself something better, a higher spec vehicle on the same budget, by opting to buy second-hand.

In this blog we’ll answer your question “What do I need to know when buying a used motorhome?” and you’ll be out on the road in no time!

New might not mean now

Motorhomes in general have become more popular in the last couple of years as the ‘staycation’ has become a serious option for more and more people. Interestingly, the used motorhome market is an increasingly popular way for potential caravanners to get their first, or for those who already own one to upgrade. However, under current conditions there are long delays on new models due to production lead time problems for manufacturers. Essential vehicle parts are getting ‘stuck’ in supply chains in China due to the high global demand following the Covid pandemic. There’s a chance that someone ordering a new motorhome right now might not get to drive it away until the middle of next year.

For some people that’s just far too long to wait. So opting for a second hand motorhome might be the solution you’ve been looking for.

New is not always best

The appeal of owning something from new is completely understandable (regardless of what the something is). When you buy new you’re reassured that you’re the first person to own and use that something, and you know that everything will be set-up exactly ‘as it should be’, without damage or wear and tear. So why buy a used motorhome? Well, the truth is that you don’t really have to compromise those standards very much at all when you opt for a used motorhome – particularly the ones available from Spinney.

It’s basic psychology, often merely about ‘doing a deal with yourself’ or retraining the way you think slightly. In life in general, not just motorhome buying, it’s healthy to get out of the habit of believing new is best on every single occasion. Changing your criteria a little bit, and being more open and optimistic, can be a great way to maximise purchase potential!

Low miles and lovely condition

The idea of buying a used motorhome might not have appealed to you because you believe that the vehicle will have ‘issues’. Perhaps it’ll be a bit grotty and musty inside, and there’ll be plenty of miles on the clock.

Notice the word ‘plenty’, there? That’s your own bias starting to work against you – because will a used motorhome really have an unacceptable level of mileage? Other than in exceptional lifestyles, motorhomes are not used by their owners every single day. So if the one that interests you is, say, three years old then the chances are it has only been used on two or three holidays – and it may well have covered only a couple of thousand miles. Similarly, the general operating condition of used motorhomes is likely to be very good, with any minor problems given close attention already.

New motorhomes cost a decent chunk of someone’s finances, possibly even their life savings, and so they will respect their spend. A luxury vehicle of any kind is almost always a purchase which has some pride attached. That means the general aesthetic condition is good and nearly new motorhomes will have been lavished with regular cleaning and general maintenance in an effort to keep them as close to mint as possible. Unless they are incredibly careless, owners are definitely going to have taken time to try and keep their vehicle crisp, clean and beautiful. So, for you, the potential next owner, you’re going to be getting a looked after and pre-loved motorhome.

Extras are not always extra!

Other than the two main physical / operational concerns we’ve allayed with a little logic (the mileage and the general condition), there are other things which you can throw into your mental mix as you convince yourself a used motorhome is a fantastic option.

Add-ons and extras are important as a potential win – and buying used can mean benefitting big! Is buying a used motorhome good value? Yes it is! A previous owner will often have put add-ons into their motorhome life – so awnings, pack upgrades, batteries, TVs, kitchen appliances etc. These things always cost extra when buying a new motorhome, but they’ll come free of charge in a used model – effectively the previous owner will have paid for your accessories and desirable add-ons!

Appreciate the lack of depreciation!

Although any big item purchase you make tends to depreciate over time, the rate at which it does so can swing things for you when you’re making your decision between a new or used vehicle. Almost as soon as you drive away from the forecourt, the value of a new motorhome has begun to depreciate – and the rate at which it does so is significantly higher than for a used motorhome. When you buy a used motorhome it will still depreciate but at a considerably slower rate. This is worth considering if you’re a ‘newbie’ and this is your first vehicle. You may end up deciding staycations and van life are not for you, and that you want to sell your vehicle on. It will cost you less to sell on a previously owned model than if you’ve bought a brand new one. Simple maths! (To find out more why not read our motorhome depreciation blog?)

Another important financial consideration is VAT. The Value Added Tax has already been levied for the original owner and won’t be passed on to you when you buy a used motorhome. Similarly, you won’t have to deal with the issue of lead times, as the vehicle will be ready to roll more-or-less from the moment you lay eyes on it.

What Spinney offers to make used the right choice for you!

An important ‘extra value’ part of Spinney’s offer is the multipoint check we perform on each and every used motorhome which passes through our forecourts. Our meticulous inspection tests for faults, ensures that a vehicle is operating in the correct way. The habitation service is an in-depth check of things like fridge functionality through to gas safety and carbon monoxide checks. The mechanical service checks the engine and functionality of your vehicle (and so it’s similar to when your car goes in for a service). We also offer a minimum 12-month warranty, which will cover the cost of repairs or replacements and the labour required during the warranty period.

We want you to be confident you can drive away with the same level of comfort, security and performance that you’d get if buying a brand new motorhome. Ultimately, opting for used motorhome can save you money, with no impairment to any aspect of its performance or your ownership and enjoyment. As we said earlier in this blog, it’s all about you…

Check out all of the used motorhomes for sale from Spinney at our website or alternatively, come down to any of our three forecourts in Cheshire, Flintshire or Staffordshire and take a look…