Archive for the ‘Buying Motorhomes’ Category

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Buying a Motorhome from a Dealer

Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

Whether you’re a seasoned camper or it’s your first venture into the world of motorhomes, buying from a dealer can be a difficult and challenging experience. You shouldn’t be intimidated from buying at a dealer, but there are a few things it’s helpful to know!

Go Well Informed

If you go to a dealer with no idea of what you’re after you might find yourself being very easily persuaded by more expensive models than you really want. Have a rough idea of a couple of models that you like and use these as a starting point. You should also have a firm budget in mind and be realistic about what this budget will buy you.

Take Advice

Don’t assume that every dealer is trying to sell you something you don’t want – dealers do value repeat purchases and if they sell you something you like, you may want to return! So, take advice with a pinch of salt and do listen to numerous opinions from various dealers.

Walking Away

It’s never too late to walk away if you don’t find something you like. It’s more than reasonable to have a look at a model two or three times before committing – it’s your money so you may spend it as you please! Equally, once you have decided upon what you really want, push for those added extras. Some dealers will include fittings and extras for free rather than negotiate on the price upfront. You might also be able to get a good tax or motorhome insurance package thrown in.

If you go to a dealer with a rough idea of what you want, you have a look round a good range of options and then take that away to think about you’ll end up with a much more satisfactory decision that if you leap into the wrong model! Do take your time when buying from a dealer and always push for the most value you can.

Short Term Motorhome Owners

Monday, March 26th, 2012

A lot of people these days are ‘short term’ motorhome owners and like to buy and sell a different motorhome at the start and end of every trip. This is particularly effective if you’re travelling to Australia or New Zealand where it just isn’t practical to take a motorhome over. It certainly takes some knowledge to make it work, though, so how can you make it happen?

Buying and Selling

The theory is that if you can buy and sell for roughly the same price, you never need to incur the cost of buying or hiring of a motorhome at all and you might even make a little profit. It tends to be a strategy that is only suitable for long trips though, it’s very hard to sell on a motorhome over the course of less than a month and you need to be sure of finding a seller at your final destination.

Advertising

Unless you’re planning on keeping your motorhome for much longer than a few months, you’ll need to put up adverts for sale more or less as soon as you buy. It’s good to find a buyer early and let them know you’re not selling until your departure date. The chances are, you might find someone who is doing the same as you and after a quick purchase for a short-term run around.

Condition

The one thing you need to bear in mind is keeping your motorhome in good condition. You’ve got no chance of a good sale if your motorhome is in significantly worse condition that when you bought it. Make sure you take out an appropriate motorhome insurance policy to cover any little dings or scratches and get your motorhome professionally cleaned before selling it on.

There’s no doubt that turning a sale over quickly is a good way of saving a bit of money on a trip, but you do risk not being able to sell your motorhome on when you leave. A good idea is to have a look at the blogs, forums and discussion sites and try to arrange a buyer online before you go.

Selling your Motorhome

Friday, March 9th, 2012

There are plenty of reasons to sell a motorhome; perhaps there’s a new member of the family who’s arrived, perhaps you’re looking for an extra slice of luxury for a big trip or maybe you’re just fed up of breaking down on the road! Whatever the reason, it’s important to price your motorhome appropriately and get value out of your sale. Here are a few tips to finding the right spot in the market.

Age, Model, Condition
The basic factors you’ll need to take into account are the age, model and condition of a motorhome. Do some research and try to find models that are similar to yours and price yourself well within that range. If you’re way off the mark in any one of these categories you’ll struggle to attract enquiries as any potential buyers will just go elsewhere.

Negotiation
There is a place for negotiation when it comes to selling and it’s probably safer to price a little higher than what you will realistically accept. Be sure to hold firm, also, and don’t let your sale be dictated – there are always other buyers. If you’ve reached a rock bottom price try negotiating with extras – you can perhaps get away with throwing in a camping stove rather than knocking off another £200.

Be Realistic
The most dangerous thing you can do is price way ahead of yourself because you have a deep-seated love for your motorhome. Any potential buyer isn’t going to attach the same nostalgic value that you do to your motorhome so you do need to let yourself be swayed by the market. Equally, be honest about any faults or problems, previous motorhome insurance claims or anything else that may come back to haunt you if you don’t mention it upfront!

Pricing is tough to get right and there’s no perfect price for any particular motorhome. It’s a skill to gauge what the ‘market price’ really is but if you’re getting a few enquiries you know you’re at a round about the right level.

Rent or Buy a Motorhome?

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

If you’re new to motorhome holidays, you’re unlikely to want to jump straight in and buy the next best thing without knowing whether or not you’re going to enjoy your trip. Even for experienced travellers, taking the leap to buy a new or used motorhome is still some way off. Here’s a quick guide to the pros and cons of renting or choosing to buy your own.

Renting

Renting is for a lot of people the most cost effective way of enjoying a motorhome trip and if you’re travelling for, perhaps, one week a year it makes sense to rent. Equally, if you’re travelling a long way overseas then buying a motorhome in the UK might be more hassle than it’s worth and you might be able to get a good deal on cheap flights to your destination that allow you to pick up a motorhome on arrival.

Before you travel, make sure you compare the prices of rental packages, though, because some providers will charge huge premiums on your motorhome insurance which drastically puts up the cost. Renting doesn’t offer you the flexibility of buying, either, and you can end up with a motorhome that is difficult to drive or doesn’t quite have enough space.

Buying

Where renting falls down, buying picks right up. You can choose any model, any spec and you can find a cheap motorhome insurance quote that matches your price bracket. You needn’t worry about large excess charges on rental insurance or spending hours trawling the net for somewhere reliable to hire, you can just get in and drive!

Of course, the price is the thing that puts many people off a motorhome but it is worth doing the calculations for your own personal use. If you find yourself renting maybe two or three times a year then it might save you to buy in the long run.

There’s no right answer to whether to buy or rent and your decision should be largely based on usage. The flexibility that comes from owning your own motorhome is not something to be sniffed at, however, so if you do find yourself renting a lot then maybe think about taking the plunge!

Depreciation on Motorhomes

Thursday, February 23rd, 2012

Something to look out for if you’re thinking of picking up a motorhome second hand or perhaps if you’re looking to sell on a motorhome is the depreciation rate. Like cars, motorhomes can be depreciated at a particular rate and the amount of depreciation is calculated year on year and will differ for each different model. Here’s a quick guide to the things that might affect your motorhome.

Model and New Price

Almost all new motorhomes depreciate as soon as you take them out of the showroom. This is partly due to the VAT which you can no longer recover but also a second hand motorhome just isn’t as desirable as a new one. The rate of depreciation after this depends on the model: some models are known for reliability and continued good service and others are known to fall apart a little bit quicker. In the same way, vintage or rare models might not depreciate at all – it’s all circumstantial. Glass’s guides provide for a good indicator, however, so check these out for an indicator.

Extras

These guides won’t take in any extras you bought with your motorhome, however, and things like Sat-navs will have been priced higher than their value at the dealer’s. You may have paid £500 on top of your purchase price when you bought it, but that’s probably only worth £100 to someone who could otherwise buy one for that price from the shop!

Condition

One of the most fundamental things to remember about motorhomes is they’re designed to last and a motorhome in good condition will be much more favourable. Motorhome insurance can help you cover the costs of repairing little damages and a good clean, service and regular tidy will help you maximise value when you come to selling on.

Depreciation is one of these slightly backwards ways of thinking about things but it’s good to have a grasp of the concept. Then if you’re buying a used motorhome you’ll be able to estimate roughly how much you should be paying and you can use these features to give you a good indicator and perhaps some tools when it comes to haggling!

Motorhome Taxes

Tuesday, February 21st, 2012

Road tax is a complicated matter but without it you’ll be unable to apply for campervan insurance or motorhome insurance and you won’t legally be able to use UK roads. Getting clued up on tax is something that your dealer will be able to help you out with if you’re buying new, but if you’re renewing your tax or buying a second hand motorhome then it helps to know the basics.

Road Tax and VAT

It’s important to differentiate between road tax and VAT in the UK: road tax is payable continuously on a year on year basis for the use of your motorhome and VAT is only due on the initial sale if you buy your motorhome new.

UK Tax Laws

The tax legislation in the UK has been undergoing a few changes at the moment and there has been a move to change the focus of road taxes away from power or weight measurements and towards a new green emissions tax. However, this is yet to hit most motorhomes which, if they’re under 3500kg will classify as ‘Private Light Goods Vehicles’ and, depending on your engine size, tax of £130 or £215 will apply for this tax year. This ends in April 2012, however, so there may be changes to the law at this time.

Foreign Tax

You’re unlikely to need to pay road tax in the EU, unless you are resident in a particular country for a long period of time. This is not the case in Switzerland, however, and you might be charged a levy (more like a toll) as soon as you enter Switzerland. If you purchase a motorhome abroad expect to pay local VAT but it may be worth trying to offset this against any UK tax.

Tax is a bit of a complicated issue for motorhome users and drivers but it’s one of those things you just need to get right. There’s plenty of advice available on the DVLA and DirectGov websites so these are your best bet for ensuring your tax liability for your motorhome is paid and settled.

Searching the Classifieds

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

Buying a new motorhome or campervan second-hand is a great way to save a bit of money on a big purchase and you can really pick up some good deals on different models. Knowing where to start when searching the classifieds can be quite daunting so here’s our guide to help you out.

Looking Online

The quickest and easiest way to get started is online. The obvious auction sites might be a good place to get a feel for the sort of models and prices you’re looking at but it’s normally better to buy from a specialist motorhome or campervan site: the sellers on here are more likely to give you good, accurate information and the prices will be a lot more reflective of the market. Because of the nature of online adverts motorhomes do get snapped up quickly, though, so be prepared for a quick sale!

Print and Newspapers

Despite the speediness of technology, many people still prefer to advertise in local newspapers and in publications like Trade-It. Because, normally, classifieds in newspapers cost per word or column inch you’re likely to find less information on the face of things but sellers will be more than happy for you to get in touch over the phone or via email to find out more.

Getting the Facts

Whether you’re buying online or from an advert in print it’s really important to get in touch with the seller and, if possible, arrange a viewing and drive. Ask plenty of questions about details like reliability, servicing, motorhome insurance quotes and, of course, what price they’re really looking for. Always feel at liberty to negotiate and even if you’ve had a test drive you’re never obliged to buy. Sellers won’t take to time wasting particularly kindly but everyone has a right to walk away if the product or price just isn’t for you.

There are a lot of classifieds out there and there is a lot of information to take in but be focused, be specific and narrow down your options to a few viewings. Don’t buy anything without having a good look around first and don’t be pressured by difficult sellers – your money is yours to spend as you please!

Imported Motorhomes

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

In the UK, though there are plenty of top class motorhomes available, we’re not necessarily known for producing, retailing or even buying the really high-end motorhomes that can be found in places like the USA and Continental Europe. Because of this many motorhome users choose to import specific models from all over the world. What are the pros and cons of buying a motorhome from overseas?

Choice and Specification

It’s true that you can find a much greater variety of models overseas. Models like the Isuzu Elf and Mazda Bongo can be found in Japan and there’s plenty more Winnebagos and Chevrolets in America than there are over here. If you’ve been shopping around but can’t find the model, specification or even colour that you want then look into purchasing your model from overseas.

Exchange Rates and Shipping

Though it is possible to buy from import dealers you can still import motorhomes yourself…although things can get a little complicated! Shipping a motorhome can be costly but if you’re looking to buy from the USA or Japan it’s pretty much the only way to do it. It’s possible, however, to purchase flights to Europe and drive back home to the UK. Consider, also, the currency you’re buying in and factor in the likelihood of a drop in value – we live in turbulent economic times, remember!

VAT, Taxes, Papers and Insurance

It’s a lot to think about, but you’ll need to consider the implications of tax regimes of different countries when buying your motorhome. You’ll have to pay import duty for anything imported from outside of the EU, but you may be able to reclaim some VAT. A professional tax advisor can help get the ball rolling. You’ll also need your import papers to make sure your motorhome is registered properly in the UK and, of course, make sure that your motorhome insurance policy covers imported motorhomes and that the premium is worthwhile.

Importing offers a lot of food for thought and if you want a particular model or a particular style then sometimes it’s the only way. If you’re incredibly savvy then you might even be able to save some money by importing but be sure to factor in all the hidden costs of doing the deal. Even if you end up spending a little more, though, the drive to pick up an import can be just like a free holiday!

New or Second-hand?

Friday, January 20th, 2012

So let’s say you’re after a campervan. Perhaps you’re a first time owner, maybe you’re looking to upgrade a previous model or perhaps rekindle an old flame after a few years off the road. Buying is a big deal and campervans don’t come cheap, so it’s important to make the right call in deciding whether you buy a new model or opt for something second-hand. What’re the pros and cons of both, and how can you make sure you’re getting the best value for money?

New campervans

Buying new is probably the easiest, safest and most risk-free way of purchasing a campervan. Your dealer will usually give you a price not far off the list price (which you can check and confirm online) for any particular model so you can be reasonably confident when you’re being overcharged. You can shop around freely, also, knowing you’re always buying the same product so you can ensure you’re getting the best price available.

Be careful of confusing or potentially misleading warrantee packages and credit purchases, however, this is where dealers do stand to make their money: it’s not to say that all offers are bad offers but analyse anything you are offered very carefully.

Second-hand campervans

There is, of course, a premium attached to new campervans and most models depreciate as soon as you drive them off the forecourt. Because of this you might be able to pick up a bargain in the second hand market and save yourself plenty of money.

However, the quality of second hand models is really variable so a test drive and a lot of comparison with other models is vital. Use review websites and check the valuation guides for rough prices but don’t be surprised if you find lots of options way above and below the ‘set’ prices. It’s important, also, to check out the campervan insurance prices for various second-hand models, it can affect your premium if your campervan is particularly old or well used.
Overall a second-hand campervan is the cheaper option but there are many more variables to consider than new. With a new package you very often can be sure of what you’re getting – a second hand model might be cheaper but there’s definitely more risk attached.

Selling your Motorhome

Friday, January 13th, 2012

Most motorhome owners will at some point in their lives be in the situation of selling their vehicle or exchanging it for a newer model. Of course it is imperative you get the best price possible and there are several things you can do to help bring this about.

It is relatively easy these days to find a website or even a mobile phone text messaging service to find out the approximate value of your motorhome, and this is worth doing if you are selling privately, negotiating with a used motorhome dealer or buying a brand new model direct from the manufacturer.

Tidy up

The first thing to do is give your motor home a spring clean. Start on the inside by clearing all the floors and getting rid of old newspapers, brochures parking slips etc. and then give it a good clean out with a vacuum cleaner.

Clean down all the woodwork and don’t forget the oven, it will be tiresome but worth it. On the outside make sure you use cleaning products that leave a shiny finish, and tyre paint will be worth spending a few pounds on as it will catch the eye of prospective vendors. Also if you place an advert, a picture will make your vehicle stand out.

It is advisable to tidy up underneath the bonnet as well. Check your oil, brake fluid and windscreen washers are at acceptable levels and a steam clean may be worthwhile if you are selling privately.

Check credentials

If you are placing an advert in a magazine or local paper try and avoid using abbreviations. There is no need to go overboard with your descriptions but make sure you mention the best features of the vehicle and any added extras.

If you are the only owner and have a full service history of the motorhome then this is also worth mentioning as of course is the colour. Remember to be on your guard once you start to get enquiries about a sale. It a sad fact but thieves will pose as buyers, so never let the buyer go on a test drive on their own and don’t leave the buyer alone with the keys in the ignition.

Check that your motorhome insurance will allow other drivers to take a test drive, and if it doesn’t make sure the prospective buyer has insurance of their own before they get behind the wheel. Check their identity and if you are being paid in cash arrange for a meeting at a bank so you can bank the money in their presence.

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