BUYING SECONDHAND

There are bargains to be had if you know where to look and can avoid the pitfalls of buying used. Former salesman Peter Rosenthal shows you what to watch for

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Secondhand motorhomes are just brilliant – they allow you to buy far posher vehicles than your budget would allow, for a fraction of the price of a new ’van. Sometimes depreciation can be a wonderful thing.

And make no mistake, a high-end model is still a high-end model, even when it has a few thousand miles under its tyres and a few wrinkles on the leather upholstery.

The other point to bear in mind here is the importance of timing. Brexit, Covid and the chip shortage initially pushed up prices, and many have-a-go converters popped up to meet the increased demand of those looking to avoid the risk of foreign travel.

This led to a shortage of used stock and prices rose. It was very much a seller’s market back then.

Things have stabilised and some firms that banked on high demand and inflated prices continuing are now starting to get a bit of a reality check. Energy and fuel prices have started to come down and this has also helped reduce costs. So it’s not a bad time to buy, and there are deals to be done.

But before you rush off to Facebook Marketplace with visions of Hymer A-classes for pennies, it pays to do your homework and be fully aware of just what you’re getting into. It pays to be a savvy shopper, and here’s how.

FIRST PICK YOUR LAYOUT

Before heading for the online classifieds, it’s wise to visit a motorhome show or your local dealer, to get a feel for what sort of layouts are out there.

Layout is by far the most important factor, but you need to drown out the online noise and focus on one that suits you. No single layout works for every buyer and your needs will change over time, as families and lifestyles evolve.

We would also suggest hiring a ’van first – or borrowing one from a mate – to see if a particular layout suits the type of holidays you like taking.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK