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5 Top Tips for Selling Your Motorhome

Selling your motorhome is really easy.

Okay, it might be a little difficult to get rid of something you love. Especially if you’ve had it a long time.

But the actual process of selling could not be simpler. At least, as long as you follow these five tips.

It might take a little bit of work. There’s some cleaning, tidying and organising to do.

But it really won’t take you too long, and will help you get the best possible price for your motorhome.

Money you could put to a brand new, shiny vehicle.

1.     Cleaning and Tidying Makes Your Motorhome More Appealing

Anybody interested in buying your motorhome will at least want to give it a proper look over.

And they’ll be far more inclined to put in an offer if it looks nice.

Sure, technically they could buy a dump, and then sort it out themselves later.

But even if that would involve minimal cost, the idea of buying your vehicle will be much more appealing to someone if everything is already sorted.

So, before anyone comes to see it, give it a clean.

Scrub down all the worktops, hoover the carpets, and make sure the toilet, shower and sinks are spotless.

If there’s any damage, get it fixed first. A broken door or chipped window will be the first thing people notice.

2.     Broken Appliances Will Reduce the Value of the Motorhome

Whether it’s the fridge, oven or something else entirely – if it’s broken, the buyer will want it to be fixed. By you.

Otherwise, they will (quite reasonably) ask you to reduce the asking price, so they can use the savings to replace/repair anything that is broken.

If the potential buyer is smart, they’ll check the appliances themselves, and ask you if anything is wrong with them.

So it’s best to be honest, and tell them of any issues.

A good thing to do is work out how much it will cost to repair or replace any faulty appliances.

Then work out whether you want to pay for this yourself, or knock it off the asking price.

But as with Tip #1 – a motorhome in perfect working condition is much more appealing, and is more likely to be sold.

3.     Include Tools and Specialist Equipment for a Better Deal

If you typically need to use certain tools to maintain your motorhome, include them in the sale.

Again, this will make it a more appealing purchase for any potential buyers, and they’ll feel like they’re getting more for their money.

For example, if you have a gas spanner the new owner would find useful, throw it into the deal.

If you have an old wheel lock that you’ve been using for a few years – invest in a brand new one, and include the old one in the sale.

Its little things that make it seem like you’re going the extra mile to give the buyer a good deal.

They’ll appreciate it.

Make sure all of these things are tidy, but visible, and mention the fact they’re included.

4.     Cast a Wide Net and Find the Best Buyer

Who should you sell your motorhome to?

There’s no one answer to this question – although you might say: “whoever will buy it”.

Are you looking for a quick sale?

Are you looking for the best possible price?

Are you looking to sell your motorhome, and use the money to buy another?

If the answer to the last question is yes – then you should consider speaking to a dealer. There’s a good chance they’ll offer you a part-exchange deal.

This also happens to be the fastest way to get a deal done, bear in mind you are unlikely to get as good a price as if you are selling privately as the dealer will need to make a profit too.

If you decide to sell it privately. There are lots of channels you can do this through – such as EBay or Gumtree (if you’re looking for a quick sale).

But if you’re unsure of the best way to sell, then it might be wise to use a broker.

Sure, they’ll take a commission, but it takes the pressure away from doing it yourself, and you’ll still take the majority of the money into your pocket.

5.     Arrange All the Paperwork for a Seamless Transition

If you’ve found a buyer, great. You’re half way there.

Now you need to complete the sale, which will mean a fair amount of paperwork.

It will be much easier if you have everything in order.

This means ensuring the motorhome has an MOT – which it should anyway, even if you’re not selling.

You also need to have the V5C on hand. This shows that you are the current owner, and it will need to be updated to indicate somebody else has taken ownership of the motorhome.

Finally, if the vehicle has any tax left on it, you can apply for a refund.

You used to be able to pass it onto the new owner, but this is no longer possible – so you might as well try and get some money back from the DVLA.

Other Advice

Information, information, information

When looking to buy a second-hand motorhome most people are wary due to the fact that it has already been used and therefore could come with some wear and tear. This is why it is important that you have as much information about your motorhome as possible, including the basics such as mileage, service and MOT history and details about any modifications you have made. However, if you provide extra information it could be extremely beneficial, so make sure you are able to let your potential buyers know the types of trips you have taken it on, how often you replaced the oil and water levels and even your driving style. The worst thing to do is to come across like you are hiding something, so be as open and informative as possible.

Be ready for viewings at all times

If you are extremely lucky you could get an enquiry about your motorhome the same day that you place it on the market, which means that you need to make sure it’s in tip-top condition and ready for viewing before you create your ad. Not only does this mean that you need to have your motorhome clean and well maintained, but also that you know what you are going to say to potential customers when they come to view your vehicle. Think about all the questions that you would ask if buying a second hand motorhome and try to have the answers ready – one of the worst things you can say is “I don’t know”. You should also think about a suitable test drive route in case someone asks if they can try it themselves, and ensure that you motorhome insurance policy covers you for this.

If you are thinking of buying a new motorhome then the last thing you want it to get into difficulties selling your old one, which is why it is so important that you think about your options and really get across to potential customers how special your vehicle is. Remember, buying a motorhome is often a big investment, so you need to make sure you can make potential buyers feel comfortable and ultimately happy to part with their money!

These are our five top tips for selling your motorhome. We genuinely believe that, if you follow them, you’ll give yourself the best possible chance of getting a good deal.

Simply by ensuring your motorhome is clean, tidy, in full-working order and includes all the appropriate paperwork – you can make selling very, very easy.

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Comfort Insurance

We’re a family run business with over 30 years' experience in the provision of specialist motorhome and campervan insurance. With a wealth of awards under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing a friendly and professional service, offering you the most comprehensive cover money can buy -  starting from just £220!

Comfort Insurance

We’re a family run business with over 30 years' experience in the provision of specialist motorhome and campervan insurance. With a wealth of awards under our belt, we pride ourselves on providing a friendly and professional service, offering you the most comprehensive cover money can buy -  starting from just £200!