Buying your first campervan UK: complete buyer guide

Sadly, the unrivalled freedom of a touring adventure doesn’t come for free. That’s why it’s so important to buy your first campervan in the UK wisely, choosing a make and model that will truly enhance your travels.

Finding the right campervan

When buying your first campervan in the UK, it is crucial to make sure you choose a vehicle that truly complements your nomadic lifestyle.

You can quickly buy a beautiful one, and then realize that your 2WD campervan can't get to that bucket list destination! So we recommend to try before you buy.

At Camplify you can find and hire almost any campervan model you are interested in. You can search by brand or by characteristics and thus test for a few days or weeks if the van the model you want meets your expectations.

Can’t decide which type of campervan to go for? A large one, a small one or even a motorhome? Just try and compare, after experimenting with several, many of our friends ended up with a van that was not what they initially planned to buy.

Choose the right size

How many people will your campervan need to accommodate? Think about the maximum number of seats and berths you’ll need, as well as the amount of storage and living space you’d like. At the end of the day, this van is going to be your bedroom, kitchen, car and maybe even office so it’s a good idea to give yourself slightly more room than necessary.

A word of warning: the larger the van, the more fuel it guzzles, the more difficult it is to manoeuvre and the more expensive its parts. Really, it’s all about finding the right balance between comfort and practicality!

Plan your budget

Thanks to the sheer variety of models, conversions and conditions available, there’s an affordable campervan out there for every budget.

To get the most punch for your pound, decide which characteristics you can’t envision van life without and which ones you’re willing to forego. Do you care more about age or size, make or mileage? In other words, prioritise and compromise. Armed with this criteria, you can start hunting for deals!

Here you can find some of the "Best Campervan Models in The UK" with their market prices. They are all in our listings so feel free to hire and try them out.

Don’t forget to factor in maintenance costs - certain models are built with parts that are far dearer to repair and replace than others.

Ask for Mileage and Servicing

When buying a campervan, consider what it has been used for and, of course, how well it’s been cared for. Has it always been a recreational vehicle or was it worked to the bone over the past decade, racking up mileage? Does it have a full-service history?

If the van has been inspected and maintained regularly, then it shouldn’t let you down anytime soon. And when it comes to mileage: the higher, the cheaper. While this can bring brilliant bargains for the buyer, remember that one day it’ll be your turn to sell!

If you want more information on buying second-hand we have prepared the "Ultimate Guide to Buying a Used Campervan In The UK"

Make a list of Interior Features

Depending on who you ask, this is either the most fun or most tedious step of the entire decision-making process. Call us biased, but checking out campervan conversions (and blank canvases full of potential) is our favourite step!

Check our "Top Quirky Caravan and Campervan Conversions " to get inspired.

Make a list of all the features you would love to have onboard, such as air conditioning, blinds, extra storage or even a toilet, and then cross-reference it with whichever listings you come across - there are endless combinations of amenities, decor and extra touches to make your van a real home away from home.

If you’re buying an empty van with the aim of converting it yourself, make sure that it has enough space to accommodate your design plans - bells and whistles included.

Think what kind of drivetrain suits you

Avoid 2WD campervans if you plan to explore off the beaten track on unsealed roads - of which the U.K. wilderness has many. Unlike larger or older models, small, relatively new campervans can deal with rough terrain no problem.

Moral of the story: Think about your adventure before deciding on the vehicle to take you there - a 2013 4WD Mercedes Sprinter will handle the winding country lanes of the North Coast 500 much better than a vintage VW Kombi!

Choose an appropriate wheelbase depending on your preferences

Wheelbase refers to the distance between a van’s front and rear axles. Both short and long wheelbases have their pros and cons: the former facilitates speed and agility, while the latter brings more living space, increased stability and a smoother ride.

What matters most is up to you!

High Tops and Pop Tops

An all-time favourite, high tops offer extra headroom without the limiting width of a larger vehicle. That said, high top campervans consume more fuel and are often unable to access car parks, low tunnels or other spaces with height restrictions.

That’s when the pop-top shines, enabling you to raise your van’s roof when parked and collapse it for less wind resistance and more accessibility on the road. Make sure to examine your potential pop-top thoroughly, checking that it rises steadily and is sturdy enough to withstand strong winds - if damaged, you could face a seriously expensive repair fee!

Remember to try before you buy

We want you to have an excellent first purchase experience and for that, it is very important that you know exactly what you are buying. And there is no better way to know something than to try it for a few days.

See how the campervan you like behaves, how you feel in it...then choose. But always take an informed decision, based on knowledge and experience.

Find the van model you'd like to try near your home with Camplify's extensive search. Hire it for a few days and get a realistic idea of whether or not you will like that campervan. You can filter your requirements by price, date, vehicle type, pets allowed and more.

Enjoy your campervan try out risk-free, we include RAC breakdown cover and full insurance coverage with no additional fees required! Enjoy all the advantages we have for hirers, just sign up now .

Leverage your investment

Once you’ve bought your first campervan in the UK, you can recoup your purchase price or simply cover your upkeep costs back by hiring out your vehicle on Camplify – our van owners can make up to £10,000 per year.

Check how much you could earn with a specific campervan with our free calculator.

Still on the fence? Read on guide on 'Is it worth hiring out my campervan?'.

Become a Camplify member and enjoy our advantages

Camplify is a community and we take care of all our members. Once you have bought your campervan, you can sign up as owner and list your van for free . Then you will start benefiting from:

• Thousands of verified hiring members

• Every hire includes comprehensive insurance cover

• Each hire requires a £1,000 security bond

• Receive owner support throughout the whole process

• Enjoy your own professionally-designed landing page

• Forget the stress of organising your own advertising

• Block out dates when you want the caravan to yourself!