Buying a second hand caravan from a dealership has many advantages but the most important reason is that dealers do their own checks to ensure caravans are in good working condition. As such they can usually offer you a limited guarantee that if anything does go wrong then they will either fix it or refund your money.

That said, there are many bargains to be had privately and this guide outlines the things you should look out for if you do decide to do the leg work yourself and buy private.

The first thing to remember is that buying privately is going to take much longer than going to a dealership as the models are obviously spread out over a large area rather than in one place, this means that being patient and keeping your eye out for the right caravan is vitally important.

When looking at a prospective caravan be polite, but don’t be afraid to ask the awkward questions such as if there have been any repairs to the caravan, and if the seller has documentation to show it was completed by a reputable repairer. Equally, when a seller is being upfront about any problems it is generally a good sign that you aren’t going to get any nasty surprises – and remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is!
One of the most important things you need to check for on any used caravan is that there aren’t any signs of damp, mildew or mould. This is caused by water working its way through the bodywork or panels and into the caravan itself, or by bad ventilation over a long period of time causing condensation and damp from the inside out.

Check for any sign of damp underneath carpets, below the wash basins and fridge, inside cupboards and wardrobes – basically anywhere that touches the exterior walls of the caravan, it’s roof, or the floor panels.

Moving to the outside of the caravan, check for signs of rust to the bodywork and chassis, particularly in areas such as the wheel arches where water can wear away paint and sealants over time. Rust and damp are both very difficult to get rid of and in the worst cases can render a caravan completely unusable, so these two things should be top of your list of things to look out for.

Also make sure that before you buy you have seen the caravans beds made up, and checked that all of the mechanisms and hinges are strong and in full working order. It’s always better if you do this yourself rather than letting the owner do it for you, but make sure you get permission first and listen carefully to how it should be done as the last thing you want is to damage the caravan before you’ve bought it!

Once you’ve decided on the caravan you want, but before you hand over any money, it’s vital that you check the caravan isn’t stolen by telephoning HPI and asking them to check the CRiS number against their database. This is done for a small fee so only worth doing once you are ready to purchase. The number can usually be found etched onto the windows, and will generally be found somewhere on the chassis as well. Remember that only caravans manufactured after 1992 will have a CRiS registration number.

Finally, don’t forget to insure your caravan before you tow it away to ensure your caravanning dreams aren’t ended before they get started. Most car insurance policies will cover third party liability aspects such as damage to other people’s property caused by the caravan whilst it is being towed. However, damage to the caravan itself and theft of the caravan or its equipment will only be covered by a specialist caravan insurance policy.

Caravan insurance premiums typically start at under £80, but are affected by a wide range of factors such as the caravan’s value, your towing experience, claims experience, where you choose to store your caravan when not in use and what security devices are deployed when the caravan is left unattended.
Happy bargain hunting!

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