Used campervan buying UK: complete step-by-step guide

When looking for buying a used campervan there are some essentials to be aware of. But the good news is that buying a secondhand RV isn’t as complicated as you might think. Especially if you follow these tips – read on for the ultimate guide to buying a used campervan.

Why should you buy a used campervan?

If you’re keen on # vanlife and holidays on the road, you’ll already have plenty of reasons for buying a campervan or motorhome. Taking off on a whim, going on extended holidays, parking up off the beaten track, saving money on accommodation… all are excellent reasons for buying your own van.

But what if you can’t afford one of those shiny everything-included new vans you see at motorhome shows? Buying a used campervan in the UK is the next best thing – and remember, you can recoup your investment back by hiring your van out on Camplify .

Things to consider when looking for a used campervan

Yes, a lovely new campervan would be ideal… but most of us don’t have that kind of budget. That shouldn’t stop you getting into self-drive holidays – just have a look at your finances and look for vans accordingly.

Have a think about your initial budget

How much can you afford as an initial outlay? Are you happy to do some work on the van, or do you want something you can use right away? Do you have the money and know-how to fit out a panel van into a campervan conversion?

Keep an eye on upkeep costs

Save money by looking for a van that’s fuel-efficient, either a smaller vehicle, diesel or turbo-diesel one. But you’ll still need to pay for fuel, as well as servicing costs such as maintenance and repair… especially if you’re planning to use your van to explore as much as you can of the UK (and beyond).

Consider other possible costs

As well as the purchase price and any immediate repairs or adjustments needed, your used campervan can also cost you money in the following areas:

• Insurance

• Servicing and repairs

• Roadside assistance if needed

• Camping equipment

• Interest repayments (if financed)

Again, you can recoup many of your costs back by hiring your campervan out on Camplify.

Where is the van you like?

Are you happy to drive a few hundred miles to pick up your perfect used campervan, or would you prefer to sort the transaction out quickly by buying something closer to home?

Ask for its age

Obviously the newer the van, the higher the purchase price. That's why many buyers opt for older vans, but also because these vans might have more character and history than newer models.

We recommend finding the size and model of the van you like best (see below for tips), then looking for available vehicles in a range of ages to see which suits best.

Think what is more convenient for you, petrol or diesel?

Since second-hand electric vans aren't yet an option, let's talk about diesel and petrol. A diesel van will be more expensive than a petrol one. Which of the two you opt for will depend on whether you’ll make up the higher cost of a diesel van by using it enough to take advantage of the lower fuel prices.

If you don't plan to use the van very often, it might be better to go for a petrol model.

Do you prefer automatic or manual transmission?

It may seem this is just a matter of personal preference, but the choice of an automatic or manual transmission is an important factor to consider if you’re planning to rent out your used campervan (again, something we highly recommend to recoup some of your costs).

Our hiring data reflects that campervans with automatic transmission receive more hirings than the manual ones.

Pop-top, high-top or standard hardtop?

Again this is a matter of personal preference. A pop-top campervan is handy for extra headroom, without it being a permanent part of the van. But these models have more moving parts so more potential things to go wrong – which can be expensive to repair or replace.

Or maybe you’d prefer a high-top? These are also great for extra headroom, but because this is a permanent fixture you won’t be able to drive in most areas that are height restricted. It’s also likely you’ll have to store your campervan outdoors, leading to extra security considerations and costs.

You might prefer to look at a standard hardtop. These are simple to use and models with them are easy to store. Their disadvantage, of course, is the reduced headroom inside the van.

Your used campervan wishlist

What are your must-haves for a used campervan? That’ll depend on a few questions. Such as...

Are you going to use your van for a weekend or short breaks, or live in it for extended periods of time?

Do you prefer holidays with most of the comforts of home, or are you a rough-it type of campervanner? Is it worth buying something bigger so you can have a bigger and more comfy bed, or are you happy with a fitted berth for a few hours’ sleep? You can look for basic vans or ones with solar panels, showers, stoves, fridges and as many mod cons as you like.

Consider too who’ll be coming on trips with you. You might be happy with a basic van to sleep in on a friend’s driveway, but your partner or kids might not. And of course, if you’re renting out your van (which we highly recommend), you might want to add special features to make it more attractive to potential renters.

Also consider the essentials you’ll need, such as water and waste tanks, and what room they’ll take up in the van; plus where you’ll keep the van when you’re not using it (or renting it out) and whether there’ll be costs associated with that. (You can pay to keep the van in a secure caravan park, for example, or buy locks and other security measures to keep it safe on your driveway.)

Your own personal want/need list for a used campervan could include:

• Seating and table/s

• Fridge

• TV aerial

• Cupboards

• Built-in storage

• Beds

• Lighting

• Sinks

• Bike rack/roof rack

• Curtains and/or blackout blinds

• Water storage

• Charging dock for music systems and phones

• Dual battery

• Heating and/or air-con

• Kitchen space

• Stove

Types of campervan to consider

Again, it’d be great to have a huge RV capable of being your luxury home for as long as you want it. But practically, the type of used campervan on your to-consider list will depend on your campervan needs as above, your budget, and the size of the vehicle that fits best to your requirements.

Mini campervans

Models include the Renault Kangoo, the Volkswagen Caddy and the Holden Combo, all designed for easy driving, easy storage and a lower price.

What you save in money and running costs you lose in space and sleeping area – these vans will sleep two people maximum and won’t have much storage space, although there should be toilet space and possibly a tiny kitchen.

Some models, such as the Romahome R10 Solo, have sleeping space for only one person.

Small campervans

Look for models such as the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi, Toyota Tarago or Citroen Berlingo if you want a small used campervan with the advantages of a mini but with a little more space. These should also sleep two people and have toilet space and a small kitchen area.

Mid-sized campervans

The Volkswagen Kombi T3, Volkswagen Transporter, Mitsubishi Express, Kia Preggio, Ford Transit and the Toyota Hiace (short wheelbase) should fit your requirements if you’re in the market for a used mid-sized campervan.

These can sleep two to four people depending on model, and many will have a fixed bed. There should be kitchen and bathroom space, as well as some storage.

Bigger campervans

Spending more money to get more space is ideal if you have the budget – bigger campervans should have kitchen and storage space, fixed seating and a toilet space/bathroom. Vans this size can have up to eight seats and will have room for at least one (double) sleeping space.

Look for models such as the Ford Econovan Maxi/Mazda Bongo, Renault Trafic, Hyundai iMax, Toyota Hiace (long wheelbase) and the long-wheelbase Volkswagen Transporter.

Extra-large campervans

The sky’s the limit if you have the budget for an extra-large campervan such as the Volkswagen Crafter, Mercedes Sprinter, Renault Master or Toyota Coaster (this last can fit up to 26 seats). Vans of this size can sleep two to five people.

While these are unlikely to suit the budget of anyone looking to buy a used campervan, this list of the best XL campervans of 2020 is an excellent reference point for van specifications and features.

How to find a used campervan

Now that you know what type of campervan you want, where do you find one?

There are several options for buying a used campervan in the UK:

Buying from a classified ad

Ads in publications like Auto Trader, the Camping and Caravanning Club magazine and local newspapers are all good sources to find a used campervan in the UK.

Online, look for sales on the website ofPractical Motorhome magazine,caravanfinder,Out and About Live orExchange and Mart.

You can of course also find private campervan sellers on sites such as eBay, Preloved, Gumtree and Craigslist, where the usual caveats (don’t hand over money until you see the item; ask for proof of purchase; get a receipt) apply.

Buying from a private dealer

Private dealers can be more expensive than classified ads for used campervans in the UK, but you have the advantage of finding a dealer locally so you don’t have far to transport your van. Private dealers will also have a wider range of campervans to pick from and can offer advice and service if required.

Buying from the manufacturer

If you have your heart set on a particular model of campervan, it’s worth checking the company’s website directly to see if there’s a section for secondhand vehicles, such as Volkswagen.

Important things to check before putting down a deposit

Whichever source you use to buy your used campervan in the UK, there are a number of important factors to take into account before you put down a deposit or pay for the van. Bring a friend with you if you can – two pairs of eyes are always better than one.

Is the van the seller’s to sell?

Ask for receipts from the van’s original sale or any servicing it might have had. Check for obvious signs of tampering or theft – these can be evident from damage to the door locks, windows, weight plate or VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).

Is the engine OK?

Look for things like leaking hoses, radiators and water pumps so you don’t later have to repair damage such as blown head gaskets. Start the engine and let it idle to see how things sound.

If you don’t have a mechanically-minded friend to take with you, consider paying for a mechanic to check out the van engine before you buy.

Is the van damp?

Water damage can be expensive to repair, so check there aren’t any signs of this – look around the windows, aerials and the front and rear corners.

When was the van last serviced?

Electrics, heating, gas pipes and the living part of the campervan should be checked every year, and certainly before a van is put up for sale.

What are the tyres like?

The van’s tyres should be properly inflated and with good tread. Ask the owner when the tyres were last replaced.

What else to check on a used campervan

Other issues to look out for include:

• Glass: check for cracks and chips in the windscreen and windows

• Lights: make sure all headlights, brake lights and internal lights are working properly. Also, check the dashboard lights – they should work properly and there should be no flashing lights indicating something is wrong.

• Heating and air-con: ensure that both systems work, otherwise it can be expensive to replace

• Oil: take the van for a test drive and check that there isn’t an oil patch left on the ground after the van has been out. Taking the van for a test drive is also important to check the state of the vehicle’s suspension.

• Brakes: ask the owner if the brakes have been recently replaced. If they haven’t, ask when they’re likely to next need replacing.

• Bodywork: look for rust or holes around the van’s body, floor, tailgate, roof and window and door seals. Ask about any signs of repair.

Insurance issues

You might think that insurance is something you can sort once you’ve bought your used campervan, but considering your insurance needs beforehand can save you a lot of hassle.

If you’re planning on hiring your campervan out, you’ll need the correct type of insurance. Look for deals on self-drive hire insurance for your vehicle – this is an absolute must if anyone else is using your van.

As this is such an essential part of hiring out your vehicle, Camplify works with the UK’s leading insurers to make sure you’re fully covered when someone else is using your campervan. See our**full van insurance details here**, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Try before you buy

Before spending a considerable amount of money, doesn't it make sense to test the campervan model you like? To see how it behaves, how you feel in it?

Just look for the van model you like with Camplyfy's extensive search and find one near your home. Hire it for a few days and get a realistic idea of whether or not you will like the camper van. You can filter your requirements by price, date, vehicle type, pets allowed and more

Make your money back…

So you’ve decided your budget, made your wishlist and found your ideal van. Once you’ve bought your used campervan in the UK, make some of your purchase price and upkeep costs back by renting it out 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.

Being a Camplify member, you'll have many advantages

Camplify is a community and we take care of all our members. You can sign up, list your van for free and 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!