Research the Market Place
Check out for sale adverts in the caravan press and visit a few dealers. This should give you some feel for the market and what you might have to pay. Don't forget to budget for insurance and regular servicing.

Towcar Matching
Find out what your intended towcar is capable of towing. There is no point in looking at caravans that are too heavy. As a general rule the Maximum Permissible weight of the caravan (as stated on its rating plate) should not exceed 85% of the towcar's kerbweight. Driver experienced in towing may take this a little higher but never beyond 100%. It's also important that the towcar's train weight (i.e. car + caravan together) as stated by the manufacturer is not exceeded. Also drivers who gained (or regained) their licences from 1st January 1997 also need to check whether any proposed outfit will require them to take a 'B+E' test to upgrade their licences. Basically this requirement kicks in if the train weight of the outfit  exceeds 3,500kg.

An easy way through this maze is to register with Towsafe who, for a one off fee of £15.95 will give you 5 matches and advise on any 'B+E' requirement. Many caravan dealers subscribe to Towsafe so if you are buying from them they may provide this service free of charge. As an alternative to visiting their website you can ring them on 01772 411 430.

Dealer or Private Sale

Buying from a Dealer
This is undoubtedly the safest way to buy as the law is on the buyer’s side if anything goes wrong. For example if the van turns out to be stolen the dealer normally has to refund your money. The Sale of Goods Act requires the dealer to ensure that the caravan is ‘fit for purpose’ and to put right any relevant defects.

Dealers are good places to compare layouts, prices and specifications. You can also trade in your old van to save the hassle of selling it privately.   Most dealers offer some form of warranty depending on the age of the van. Read it carefully first to see what is, and is not, covered. It’s always worth haggling to get the best warranty you can. If you do buy from a dealer ensure you keep all the paperwork in case you need to make a claim.

Private Sale
A private sale is normally the cheapest way to buy and there are plenty of adverts in the caravan press and other specialist publications such as Loot. The big problem is that you have little or no comeback if anything goes wrong. For example if the seller is not the true owner in the eyes of the law (i.e. does not have legal title) they cannot legally sell it to you. This applies not just to stolen caravans but to those where any finance is outstanding. You may therefore find yourself paying out but not having legal ownership. In these circumstances the caravan may be repossessed from you.

Don’t be frightened to ask for proof of the vendor’s identity by asking to see a passport or driving licence.

The other big problem with buying privately is the lack of a remedy if anything is wrong or faulty. The Sale of Goods Act does not apply to transactions between individuals (but see Footnote below). For this reason it is vital to do a thorough inspection beforehand. One good idea is to get the owner to have the caravan serviced by a reputable dealer. Insist on a full damp check being done and seeing the results before you buy. If the vendor is reluctant to shell out for a service you could always offer to pay half. It could work out a lot cheaper than being landed with a damp van.

General Points
The most expensive problem you are likely to find when buying a used or secondhand caravan is damp, or to be more accurate, water ingress. If you’re buying from a dealer get him to do a damp check and let you see the results. Most dealers use a standard NCC (National Caravan Council) form for recording the results so ask to see it when complete. For more information on damp, check out our Dealing With Damp article here.

Never view a caravan in poor light conditions – you could be amazed how much you’ve missed. Also try to avoid viewing on your own - extra pairs of eyes will always spot things you fail to notice.

Ask if the van comes with its original manual, service handbook, and other manuals. Careful owners will normally keep these together and pass them on. A caravan that has been serviced annually is a good sign. Examine the service handbook to check whether the caravan has been regularly serviced.

If the van was manufactured from 1992 onwards it will be CRiS registered and you should see a 17 character code etched onto the windows. If you ring CRiS they will be able to tell you who is recorded as the registered keeper. They can also tell you whether caravan has outstanding finance recorded against it, been written-off by an insurance company or whether it is currently recorded as stolen. The service costs £14.95 per check. CRiS can be contacted on 01772 411 430. Always ask to see the caravan's CRiS registration document.

External lockers
Check the integrity of any mastic seals, especially where the water inlet point is located inside a locker.

Remove the loo cassette and examine it for damage or defective seals

Check the gas bottle storage for damage to the floor and retaining straps.

Windows
Examine for scratches and other damage. Minor scratches can sometimes be polished out but more serious ones will require window replacement. One problem sometimes seen on front windows is a small ‘fog’ patch somewhere near the centre. This is caused by the outer and inner panes of acrylic plastic touching one another under wind pressure when towing. Such marks are obviously internal and cannot be removed.

Lift the rubber seals on the inside of the van. The wood underneath should be clean and dry. If there are any signs of damp the window may need to be resealed. Beware of rubber that has deteriorated and become brittle. Colours other than black are prone to this.

Check the operation of all opening windows and stays.

On vans from 1992 onwards, check that the CRiS numbers on the windows match up with one another and agree with the one stated in the documentation

Chassis

Try lifting the caravan with the hitch. The head should not move relative to the chassis. If there is more than 1mm of movement the head will need to be replaced. The rubber gaiter should be in good condition and free of splits that could let in dirt. There are still one or two older caravans around with Peak or B&B hitches. They rely on springs to lock the head onto the towball. If these are defective they will need to be replaced. Fortunately spares are still available. Check the electrical cables and plugs for signs of wear or corrosion. Carefully examine the tyres for any defects, particularly in the sidewalls. Get them replaced if you find any. Also if you suspect the tyres may be 5 years or more old, they should be replaced anyway. Check the operation of each corner steady. They can become very stiff if not maintained properly. Check also that the steadies have not suffered damage during use and that they are still firmly attached.

Internal Fixtures and Fittings
On entering the van take note of any aromas. A van in the advanced stages of water ingress damage will smell musty so if you look carefully you should find it. Smokers and pets can also create unpleasant odours. These can be very difficult to get rid of if they have penetrated the upholstery and carpets.

Look inside lockers, bedboxes and wardrobes signs of water ingress or other damage. A torch can be very useful here. Prod any suspect areas with your fingers. Be very suspicious of anything soft or crumbly. Black mould is a sign of condensation and is not in itself serious. It should wipe off with a soapy cloth preferably containing a drop of beach. Carefully wipe dry afterwards.

Walk up and down the van to check the floor for delamination. It is most likely to occur on the area of floor used most, i.e. the doorway and kitchen areas. A floor that has delaminated will have a small vertical movement and feel a little springy as you walk on it. It can be fixed but may be expensive.

Test the operation of any retractable bunk beds. Damage can occur through overloading.

Examine wall panels for signs of damage. Sometimes damage may be concealed behind pictures, mirrors and other wall fixings. Screw holes left by removed fittings can be unsightly so make sure you spot them.

Sit the seats and test them for comfort. Both foam and spring fillings can deteriorate over time and replacement is likely to be costly.

Check the operation of blinds and fly screens. Springs often become weak over time especially if the previous owner stored the van with them closed. It is often possible to get them re-tensioned or re-sprung so this need not be a serious matter.

Fitted Equipment
If buying through a dealer your van’s equipment should be thoroughly tested as part of the pre-delivery inspection. You should also have some form of guarantee if things don’t work. However if buying privately this won’t apply so take a small gas cylinder with regulator and a good 12 volt battery with you. Check the operation of as many items as you can.

The fire, fridge and water heater are normally reliable but if they do give trouble it’s normally when operated on gas. Don’t operate the water heater for more than a few seconds if it is empty and don’t forget to check the travel catch on the fridge.

Use the gas cylinder to check the operation of the hob, grill and oven (if fitted) paying particular attention to any spark ignition systems. If you don’t have a battery plug the caravan into your car, switching the van’s selector switch from van to car, to get a 12volt supply.

Previous owners have a habit of adding extra sockets and lights. If possible get them checked by a qualified electrician. If you can plug the van into a mains supply take along a test plug for the sockets to verify that they have been wired correctly. At the same time check out the operation of the RCD by pressing the test button.

Examine the battery leads and connectors for corrosion or damage and make sure the battery retaining strap is securely anchored.

Plug in the water pump and make sure it will deliver water to all the taps.

Check the operation of the blade on the toilet. It can become stuck to the lipseal if left closed for long periods.

Check the condition of any mastic seals in the washroom especially any surrounding the shower tray.

And finally………
Ask for a test tow. Check out all the road lights and make sure that any failures are simply blown bulbs. Next ensure that the van tows stably and that its over-run braking system works OK. Then, once you’re totally satisfied, you can think about handing over that hard earned money!

Buying a used caravan on Ebay
Be very careful indeed! Personally I think it's crazy to buy a used caravan if you haven't seen it but lots of people do and quite a few come unstuck. Once your bid is accepted you are legally bound to complete the deal unless the caravan is not as described. So, if a vendor says 'no damp' and you find significant damp then you may be able to back out. But what about the vendor who says' no obvious signs of damp’ but then you find damp behind a panel somewhere. It's grey area. If you must buy via EBay then take someone with you who knows a thing or two about caravans and who may be able to argue that the van is not as described if problems arise.

Footnote
A case in the small claims court has shown that private vendors can have a responsibility to ensure that the goods they are selling are fit for the purpose for which they are being sold. to supply goods that are fit for the purpose for which they are being sold. The plaintiff, a Mr Hanmore, produced an expert's report which said that the caravan he had just bought had all round dampness levels of 60%. (The report also said that the caravan was unfit for the road but as this was a criminal, not civil, matter it could not be dealt with by the small claims court.) The judge said that it had been proved beyond doubt that the defendant Mr Hughes, had not declared the damp when specific enquires were made during the sale negotiations. Mr Hughes was an experienced caravanner and could not claim 'complete innocence'. He concluded that the caravan was useless for the purpose for which it was bought and found in favour of Mr Hanmore, including costs.

Club members can download a printer friendly version of this article by going to the members only section of the website