Finding the right Second-Hand Motorhome

As no two motorhome owners are alike, neither are two motorhomes – even if they are the same make and model. This is what makes finding the perfect second-hand motorhome so hard, as even if you think you know what you are looking for you may struggle to find it. However, this doesn’t mean that the right second-hand motorhome isn’t out there waiting for you, it’s just how you go about finding it…

The Motorhome of your Dreams

In your mind you may know exactly what you want from a motorhome down to the minutest detail, however the problem with this is that in order to get a completely bespoke motorhome you have to part with a considerable amount of money. Therefore, you need to stop thinking about the motorhome of your dreams and start thinking about the motorhomes of your dreams. Having multiple ideas of what you would like will help you be more flexible when it comes to buying a second-hand motorhome, and it will also allow you to realistically determine what you can afford and not be disappointed with your options. Remember, when it comes to buying a second-hand motorhome you need to be as realistic and logical as possible, that way you will be pleased with your purchase and avoid panic buying.

Seasonality

We are currently in the peak of the motorhome season, which means that the amount of second-hand motorhomes on the market will be noticeably stark. In general, the middle of summer is the worst time to start looking for a second-hand motorhome as everyone else will have the same idea or be using theirs for holidays. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t start window shopping and getting an idea of the prices for certain makes and models. Once you have a clear idea of how much they are selling for you will be able to revisit your budget and decide what models you can realistically afford. When the motorhome season has ended you will be able to start bargaining with motorhome owners looking to part with their current vehicles.

Haggling and After-Sales Products

When it comes to purchasing second-hand motorhomes you can either choose to deal with dealers or private sellers. Both have their pros and cons, so you need to weigh these up before you decide which one is right for you. For instance, private sellers often price their vehicles cheaper than dealers, however dealers tend to offer after-sales products such as warranties, motorhome insurance and money-back guarantees within a certain time period. If it’s reliability you are after then you may want to purchase your second-hand motorhome from a dealer, however if you are looking for the cheapest price possible you’re better off haggling with a private seller!

Modifying Second-Hand Motorhomes

If you are adamant that you want the motorhome of your dreams then you may want to think about buying a second-hand motorhome and then modifying it. The key here is that you need to be extremely precise when it comes to your budget, otherwise you can easily end up overspending. If you know that you will need a considerable amount of money to complete your project you may want to do it in two or more stages. For example, stage one can be finding and buying a suitable second-hand motorhome at the end of summer, step two modifying the bodywork during the winter months and step three applying the final touches during spring. By having a time and budget schedule in place you will be able to have the motorhome of your dreams ready for next summer without over spending!

Finding the right second-hand motorhome is something that takes a considerable amount of time and research, however when you finally get given the keys to your new vehicle it will all be worth it. Remember, buying a second-hand motorhome may also mean having to sell your current motorhome, so take this into consideration when drawing up your time scales and budgets!

Photo by Mark Hopkins / CC BY-SA 2.0