Buyer Beware! What to check when buying a used motorhome or campervan online

The second-hand market for vehicles is growing more and more every day making a wide selection of leisure vehicles more available to purchase! This presents a fantastic opportunity for those looking for a vehicle upgrade or those interested in entering into the motorhome and campervan world!

In today’s market, to maximise sales profit many sellers will opt to sell privately rather than through a dealership, using platforms like Facebook, eBay, Gumtree, and other online marketplaces and websites. If buying a vehicle from an unverified seller, approach the sale with caution and consider the following advice from our helpful checklist.

 

Is there any possibility you’re buying a stolen vehicle?

In 2024, across the UK, we’ve seen a significant increase in thefts of motorhomes and campervans. Within the industry thefts of vehicles valued between £30,000 and £60,000 surged up by up to 75% compared with the previous year. Although we are seeing this number begin to settle, buyers now need to be cautious that the vehicle they are looking to purchase has not been involved in a theft. To verify the legitimacy of the vehicle you will need to do some research!

 

Research and investigate

Firstly, it is always a good idea to ask questions. Ask why the seller is selling their vehicle, ask about the vehicle history, and ask questions that only the legitimate owner would know. Ask the seller for documentation and proof of ownership and carefully look over all documents to ensure they are genuine.

To get a more comprehensive understanding of a vehicle’s background you can cross-reference information from various online sources like AutoCheck or HPI, websites like this allow for a more thorough investigation of a vehicle’s history looking for things like theft reports, write-offs, or outstanding finance. Websites such as Autocheck and HPI are useful as they feature a data guarantee meaning that in the event that data they have provided is incorrect or incomplete they can cover up to a maximum of £30,000.

 

See the details here:

HPI: https://www.hpi.co.uk/guides/guarantee.html#:~:text=Subject%20to%20the%20HPI%20Guarantee,part%20of%20the%20HPI%20Check.

Autocheck: https://www.autocheck.co.uk/Help/DataGuarantee#:~:text=About%20the%20AutoCheck%20Data%20Guarantee&text=This%20is%20included%20at%20no,lower)%2C%20for%20two%20years.

Additionally, looking into the vehicle’s MOT history can provide crucial insights into its maintenance and past performance. You can check a vehicles MOT by visiting the Gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history.

 

Be wary of prices that are too low

If a price seems too good to be true it probably is. If you see a listing for a motorhome or campervan is significantly below the usual market value this is usually a red flag and could be a sign of a potential scam or a vehicle with hidden problems.

 

Tips for avoiding scams

A common motorhome and campervan scam is when a scammer steals pictures of a legitimate listing online and then re-uploads it at a significantly lower price. Then, they may either steal the vehicle when someone shows interest in buying it or request payment upfront without ever delivering the vehicle.

Here are some ways to avoid common scams like this:

Copy and paste ad listing into Google

Some thieves are lazy and will copy an exact listing and details that someone put up for sale. By copying and pasting the listing into Google you can check if this listing has been used somewhere else online.

 

Reverse image search

This is similar to the copy and pasting text method but with images. Using a reverse search feature you can check if the images used in the vehicle ad have been posted anywhere else online. So, if the same images are featured in another listing with an older date or somewhere else on the internet, you know that the advert is not legitimate and that someone is trying to pass off the images as their own.
Not sure how to reverse image search?

Check out this video:

Check the seller’s social media profile

If the seller is selling through a platform like Facebook, see if their profile is public. Look to see if you can spot any images of them with the motorhome or campervan, this way you can confirm ownership.

 

Condition of vehicle

You want to ensure that the motorhome or campervan you are purchasing is in good working order. You should request detailed photos of both the inside and outside of the vehicle so you can get a good idea of the condition of the vehicle. Although you should always check the vehicle in person too – remember you should NEVER send any money to a seller before you see the vehicle in person.

When looking into the shape of the motorhome or campervan you should inquire about any previous damages or repairs that have been carried out and ask to see maintenance records or any other similar documentation if the seller has it.

 

Pre-Purchase Inspection

It is highly advisable that before you purchase a used motorhome or campervan you arrange a pre-purchase inspection. Although these habitation inspections can be costly you need to remember you are about to invest a significant amount of money in a vehicle, a motorhome or campervan is often a person’s second most valuable asset after their house, so you want to make sure there are no hidden issues.

Here are some helpful articles with more information on pre-purchase inspections:

https://habcheck.co.uk/blog/2018/08/always-get-a-pre-purchase-inspection-before-buying

https://habcheck.co.uk/page/motorhome-pre-purchase-inspection

 

Does the site you’re using have any kind of warranty or buyer protection?

A majority of online marketplace websites will not have buyer protection for the sale of motorhomes and campervans. You should check the full details of any buyer protection to make sure it applies to you. Although sites like eBay have a money-back guarantee, this protection does not cover vehicles so make sure you don’t get caught out with this thinking your purchase is protected.

 

Safety

For your safety, it is recommended to always meet in a secure public place to conduct the vehicle viewing and transaction. For added security and peace of mind, it may be a good idea to bring someone along with you, so you aren’t alone.

 

Security

If you spend out on a vehicle, the last thing you want is for it to be stolen. After you have purchased your vehicle make sure to protect with additional security. Take a look at our helpful security guide here: https://www.comfort-insurance.co.uk/blog/motorhome-security-top-tips-2

 

Insurance for your new motorhome or campervan!

Once you’ve purchased your new motorhome or campervan don’t forget to cover it! At Comfort Insurance, we’ve helped countless customers discover excellent value motorhome and campervan insurance, so they can enjoy peace of mind on their travel adventures.

Get a quote online in minutes or call a member of our friendly team on 0208 984 0666