More and more people are buying campervans. No wonder, as there’s so much to say for this relaxing and exciting way of travelling. If you’re interested in purchasing a campervan of your own, make sure you’re up to speed on the best practices in this beginner's guide to buying a campervan.
1. Determine your budget
Let’s get the boring stuff out of the way. Before you start looking for a campervan, it’s wise to have a rough idea of your budget. This way, you’ll know which types of vehicles you can consider. Certain brands or types of campervans may immediately fall out of your price range, narrowing down your search. This might even be a good thing when it comes to shopping for a campervan, as there’s so much choice out there that it can be overwhelming!
Keep in mind that there are ways to stretch your budget a little further than you may have originally planned. For example, it is possible to finance a campervan in some cases. Furthermore, you can consider hiring out your new campervan when you’re not using it yourself. Average earnings from hiring out your campervan on Goboony vary from around £5,000 to £10,000 per year, and up to £800 per week during the summer months.
Check out how much you can earn by hiring out your campervan.
2. Determine your preferred type of motorhome or campervan
There are several types of motorhomes and campervans, each designed for different needs and preferences. Here’s a breakdown of the main categories:
Micro campervans: Small and compact, these are ideal for solo travellers or couples. They often have basic amenities like a bed and a small kitchen set up.
Standard campervans: These offer more space and facilities, including a kitchenette, seating area and sometimes a small bathroom.
Alcove campervans: These have a raised area above the driver's cab for sleeping. They offer more sleeping space than standard campervans and often include additional living space.
Class A motorhomes: Large and luxurious, these motorhomes resemble buses and often come with many amenities, including decked-out kitchens and bathrooms. They’re perfect for families or for people travelling long-term.
Class B motorhomes (large campervans): Compact and easy to drive, these are built on a van chassis and are great for weekend trips or city travel. They usually include basic facilities such as a seating area, kitchenette and sometimes a basic bathroom.
Class C motorhomes: These feature a distinctive over-cab sleeping area and offer a good balance between livability and size. They are suitable for families and provide more space than Class B.
Integrated motorhomes: Designed as a single unit, these motorhomes are very streamlined and are built on a chassis specifically for motorhomes. They often have higher-quality finishes and more space.
Semi-integrated motorhomes: These combine elements of both integrated and alcove designs. They have a more compact shape but still have a comfortable size living space.
Make sure to familiarise yourself with the different types of campervans and motorhomes out there so you can discover which type matches your needs best.
3. Determine whether you’ll buy new or second-hand
Based on your budget, you probably already know whether you can afford a new motorhome or campervan, as these are often more expensive. The advantage of buying new is that everything is brand new, which usually results in lower maintenance and repair costs. The downside is that new motorhomes depreciate significantly in the first few years. This means that investing in an expensive brand-new one can be a bit of a waste of money if you only plan on using it a few times a year. This is why buying a second-hand campervan is a popular option. While there is a higher risk of technical problems and a higher chance of having to do some work on it, you’ll still often be cheaper in the long run if you find a well-maintained vehicle.
4. Diesel, petrol or an electric campervan?
It’s important to pay significant thought to whether you want your campervan to run on diesel, petrol or electricity (or hybrid). There are benefits and downsides to all options.
Diesel campervans
As of today, most motorhomes and campervans are still diesel-powered. Diesel-powered vehicles are cheaper to run, but less environmentally friendly and are therefore slowly being phased out of clean air zones in the UK and Europe. Always research the low emissions zones for the city where you live or plan to visit, as these can vary by country and are regularly updated.
Ultra Low Emission Zones in London
Clean Air Zones in the rest of England
Clean Air Zones in Scotland
Petrol campervans
Alternatively, there are quite a few petrol-powered motorhomes on the market, most commonly these are VW Transporters, but other makes often manufacture a petrol model too. The benefit of a petrol vehicle is that you have a lot more flexibility when it comes to environmental zones (depending on the age of the vehicle). However, petrol campervans are often less fuel-efficient and more expensive to run, especially when driving long distances.
Electric or hybrid campervans
You can also opt for a hybrid or fully electric vehicle. Electric or hybrid campervans are far more expensive upfront but are likely to save you a lot of money on fuel in the long run. However, having a range limit can have implications for your journey. Especially if you intend to travel longer distances, off the beaten path or through countries that have fewer charging stations.
5. Arrange a proper purchase inspection
Are you opting for a second-hand campervan? Always have a pre-purchase inspection carried out. If you’re technically savvy and have experience with campervans, you could inspect it yourself. However, an official purchase inspection might be more thorough, checking the engine, the condition of the chassis, bodywork, suspension, moisture damage, leaks, the gas system, the electrical system and all campervan amenities such as the fridge and heater.
You can have an inspection done at a mechanic, but there are also excellent mobile inspectors in the UK such as HabCheck, which travel to the motorhome’s location.
Always ask about the maintenance history of a second-hand campervan. If it’s been well-maintained and documented accordingly, you can be confident the previous owner took good care of it.
6. Thoroughly test drive your campervan
Did you find a campervan you like? It goes without saying that taking it for a test drive is very important. Before you do, ask the seller if you can view the vehicle after it hasn’t been started in a while. This allows you to check underneath the vehicle for any potential fluid leaks as well as see how it starts on a cold engine.
Once out on your test drive, test it like you would a car, but also make sure to park up somewhere and get a proper feel for the interior set-up. It’s where you’ll be spending a lot of time, after all. Is everything how you’d like it to be? Do all amenities function and windows open properly? Be as thorough as possible.
7. Research insurance options
Found a motorhome you’re completely happy with buying? Don’t forget to research your insurance options before making a final decision. When navigating through different insurance companies and policies, it helps to be aware of the possibilities and differences in coverage depending on the age of your vehicle, its value, whether it’s (self)converted and whether it carries gas on board. These things and more all have an impact on its eligibility for insurance and the policy price.
Consult our partner Adrian Flux for competitive, reliable private motorhome insurance, whether your motorhome is factory-built, self-converted, or custom-modified, they’ve got you covered.
8. Research road tax
Same as with insurance, it’s good to be fully up to speed on how much road tax you’ll be paying for your new campervan before you commit to its purchase. The height of your motorhome VED depends on several factors such as its age, weight and engine size.
9. Try before you buy
If you’re still not entirely convinced, unsure if the lifestyle is for you, or uncertain about the type of campervan you want, why not try before you buy?
We have a wide range of campervans in all shapes and sizes available for hire on Goboony, so you’re likely to find the exact type you’d like to take for a test drive. This way, you can feel confident in your choice when it’s time to purchase your own. The extra benefit of hiring from a private owner is that you can ask them all possible questions you may have. Owners on our platform are always passionate about their vehicles and are often happy to share their tips and experiences with you.
10. Earn back some costs by hiring out
Buying a campervan, whether new or second-hand, is a significant expense! Fortunately, you can quickly earn back some of its costs by sharing your vehicle on our platform. Sharing property is becoming more popular every day. Consider Goboony the Airbnb of campervans. Why let your property sit and rust when you’re not using it if you earn an extra income by safely hiring it out to fellow travellers? The income can easily cover your maintenance, depreciation, winter storage costs or your own holiday! Many motorhome owners on Goboony often preach how much they enjoy sharing their vehicle with others, which allows them to meet new people and share travel tips.
Check out how much you can earn by hiring out your campervan.
