Buying
a used caravan is a great budget holiday option for those that
love the freedom, flexibility and fun that caravan holidays
bring. Buying second hand can have its pitfalls, but if you are
properly researched and prepared you’ll have a rewarding holiday
investment for you and your family for years to come.
Buy from a known and trusted retailer
Buying from a known and trusted seller can offer better peace of
mind, as you’ll often be offered a guarantee should something go
wrong. Shop around at established caravan retailers as well as
holiday parks. Although better known for selling brand new
static caravans, many holiday parks now sell used static
caravans too. Park Resorts in the UK currently offer
used
caravan sale prices from £7,995, so holiday parks can be cheaper
than you might think.
Buying privately
If you are buying privately, then you will not be given a
guarantee for your purchase. So it is up to you to check the
caravan over properly and make sure that it is in good working
order. Check the interior and exterior for faults, rust, signs
of recent repairs and cover ups, and look out for signs of damp.
If you are new to caravanning, it is a good idea to take along a
friend with caravanning experience to help you.
Market research
Before you make a purchase, you need to check out the market as
a whole to get a better idea of pricing. Getting to know the
average prices for different makes and models that you may be
considering will help you to spot when a price is too high, as
well as when a price is suspiciously low.
Consider the weight
There are legal requirement in place that govern which weight of
caravan you are legally be allowed to tow. Towing a caravan that
is too heavy for your car can be dangerous. Make sure you know
the regulations before you buy, or use the HPI’s
Towsafe
service, which will provide you with a list of compatible
caravans based on your car make and model.
Check the paperwork
When buying a used caravan, it’s very important to check that
the caravan in question is not stolen, is not still under
finance and that it is insurable. Always ask to see the service
history for the caravan and any associated paperwork. The
Caravan Registration and Identification Scheme (CRiS) is the
national register of touring caravans in the UK, established by
the National Caravan Council (NCC) and the HPI. All caravans
manufactured since 1992 by NCC members are recorded on the CRiS
database by their unique 17 digit Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN). This number should be present on all paperwork as well as
on the caravan itself, usually etched into the windows. Always
check to see if the numbers match. You can also phone the
HPI to
carry out a CRiS check, which will let you know if the caravan
is recorded as being stolen, on finance, or as an insurance
write-off.
|
