Campervans How to buy the pick of the pop-tops

For many, it seems like living the dream - but how much does a holiday home on wheels cost? Zoe Wood offers tips on choosing one

- Zoe Wood

Whether for weekends, music festivals or longer overseas adventures, many Britons have fallen in love with the idea of owning a campervan.

A home on wheels means you can enjoy the great outdoors without worrying about broken tent poles or deflating airbeds. With a memory foam bed, air conditioning and wifi on the long list of bells and whistles you can add, Daniel Lopez, managing director of Sussex Campervans jokingly describes van life as "camping with standards".

"Campervan life suits people of all ages," he says. "The one thing they tend to have in common is a love of the outdoors and the desire to make the most of their leisure time."

But how much does a pop-top roof under the stars cost and what are the other financial outlays that can hit buyers?

Buying a van How much you need to budget for your vehicle depends on whether you are happy with a secondhand model or have your heart set on a new top-of-the-range Volkswagen California Ocean, complete with a two-tone white and blue paint job for an extra £3,000.

You can get your hands on a used campervan for under £10,000 but new vehicles can cost anything from £40,000 for an entry-level model, such as the Peugeot Boxer, to more than £85,000 for a hybrid Ocean.

Prices for used campervans are largely dictated by age, mileage, condition and desirability, says AutoTrader's Tom Roberts. "A used 2001 Mazda Bongo campervan conversion that sleeps four people with a pop-top roof will cost £5,000-£7,000, while a similar 2001 VW Transporter would set a buyer back an extra £11,000."

Most offer the same basic amenities such as gas connections, water tanks, a small kitchen area and sleeping areas, but some come with showers, adjustable roofs and solar panels.