Five Things to Look for When Buying a Used Motorhome

Buying a Used Motorhome

It doesn’t matter what kind of second-hand vehicle you’re in the market for, the one thing that remains consistent is the necessity of adequate checks before you hand over the money. When buying a used motorhome, several checks need to be carried out to ensure the vehicle you’re getting is built to last.

Thankfully, when buying used motorhomes at Spinney, you don’t have to worry about carrying out these checks yourself as we guarantee consistent quality service and take care of these necessities before you complete your purchase. In addition to a comprehensive full habitation check and total mechanical service, we also offer a Platinum warranty package on all our vehicles, offering coverage for water ingress for up to seven years.

To begin your motorhome adventure, contact us now or visit one of our branches in Cheshire, Warwickshire, Northampton, Staffordshire and North Wales (Flintshire).

Five key considerations when buying a used motorhome

Unlike when buying a new motorhome, where you can expect the mechanics of the vehicle and the interior spaces to be untouched, used motorhomes have already seen some use so you’ll want to keep the five following considerations in mind.

Vehicle Condition

You should carry out a full vehicle inspection before you commit to buying a used motorhome. This check should include the following:

• An inspection of mechanical elements like the engine and gearbox.
• A review of crucial internal components like the electrical systems and plumbing.
• A check for moisture leaks. Water ingress is one of the biggest challenges when maintaining a motorhome (more on that later).
• A recording of the vehicle’s mileage. When checked against the vehicle’s age, this will give you an estimate of exactly how much usage it has had.
• An inspection of the tyre condition, taking into account tread depth.

We take the stress of such checks out of your hands by making sure each of our motorhomes is rigorously tested under the same conditions before they hit the shop floor. This includes a full interior and exterior 170-point check and a full valet on each vehicle, as well as a complete working order demonstration by our team when you collect the keys.

Warranty

Considering used motorhomes have been pre-owned and pre-loved, a warranty that guarantees the vehicle’s performance for years to come is essential. Providing cover for repairs while also protecting against internal damage, a great warranty will depend on how long it lasts and how much the package covers per each claim. The specifics of the warranty package you receive will depend on the deals that your provider offers.

Putting the satisfaction of our customers at the top of our priority list, at Spinney we provide each of our motorhomes with a comprehensive Platinum policy. These policies are provided by MB&G and cover engine components, as well as interior amenities like heating systems, fridges and more for 12 months, meaning you can travel with total peace of mind.

Service History

Used motorhomes could be like-new upon sale, or they could have passed through multiple owners throughout their lifespan. If you’re considering buying a used car that doesn’t have a full service history, it is worth knowing that this can reduce value – and should be reflected in the resale price. With an incomplete service history, you won’t have the full picture of how the car has been treated and what condition it is in

A full service history can give you a clear picture of the true value of a motorhome and can also help the new owner to prolong its lifespan. When selling your motorhome, most reputable dealerships will request full service history records (just like here at Spinney). In fact, we’ll only sell models that are (at most) 7 years old and come complete with a service history.

Dealership Reputation

Unfortunately, not every motorhome dealership across the country is as reputable as the next. Often putting profits ahead of the interests of their customers, when choosing a motorhome dealership consider:

• Awards: Has the dealership been recognised for their quality or customer service?
• Certifications: Are they qualified to be selling motorhomes?
• Customer reviews: On recognised platforms such as Trustpilot.
• Prices: Are the prices of their motorhomes considerably more than competitors?

Making customer satisfaction our top priority, at Spinney we are certified sellers of top-quality motorhomes, having sold such vehicles for several decades at fair prices to happy customers. Don’t believe us? We’ve been shortlisted for several awards for our customer service, with our exemplary Trustpilot page being the proof of the pudding.

Water Ingress Report

Cracks on the exterior of your motorhome or damage to the seals can cause water to enter the structure of a vehicle, leading to significant damage. A significant financial setback if not recognised early, insufficient maintenance can lead to mould, rot to the vehicle’s structure and electrical damage that could have serious consequences.

Before we hand over the keys to our pre-owned motorhomes, we make sure that each vehicle has received a full water ingress report, checking for exterior damage, including signs of dampness inside. This detailed inspection takes place before a sale and is also available as part of our service package, saving you the stress and the potential costs of repair.

With Spinney, buying a used motorhome has never been easier

At Spinney we take care of these five key considerations, carrying out a full interior and exterior 170-point check on all our vehicles while providing such essential documentation as service history and a water ingress report. A reputable dealership with multiple awards, we pride ourselves on our customer service and aftercare, offering a Platinum warranty package on all our vehicles.

With over 400 vehicles, including motorhomes, campervans and caravans, across our five branches in Cheshire, Staffordshire, Northampton, North Wales and Warwickshire, we are a family-run business dedicated to delivering you exemplary quality.