Guide to Buying an Ex-Rental Campervan or Motorhome

Camperco are one of the largest buyers of campervans & motorhomes in the UK. We operate one of the largest campervan hire fleets in the UK and Ireland, offer new and used campervans & motorhomes for sale, convert and manufacture our VWs into campervans and stock camping accessories for the camping community in store and online. Campers are our business and we believe this puts us in a pretty good position to guide you in buying your very own ex-rental campervan or used motorhome.

This year with up to 50 ex-rental campervans joining our for sale fleet from our brand company Bunk Campers,  you’ll be spoilt for choice. Adopt an ex rental campervan from Camperco and you can get on the road with confidence. But before you make any purchase decisions, here is our guide to purchasing your ex rental motorhome.

  1. Lifestyle Choices- How will you use your Vehicle?

After buying a home, buying a campervan is likely to be one of the biggest leisure purchases that you invest in. Take time to consider how you will really use the vehicle. What will the mix be between using the vehicle for your leisure time or as a day van or daily driver?

VW T5 or T6 campervan conversions are a great idea if you would like to use your camper for driving daily and for leisure holidays. With a choice from 2-4 berths you can enjoy total flexibility to go about your daily routine along with easy parking, up to 5 seat belts for all the family, and an economical drive!  Our VW campervans for sale come equipped with comfy beds, heating, electricity and cooking facilities. Choose your own suitability with pop top or high top roof options.

Alternatively for added space and luxury a Weinsberg Fiat Ducato campervan will come with an additional shower and toilet, GPS and DAB while still compact and economical for the road. The 2 berth CaraBus 541mq is perfect for couples or the CaraBus 601mqh comes with an added double bed in the over-head cab.

For motorhome comfort and luxury whether for added space or beds for all the family there are plenty of options to choose from. With a range of Weinsberg motorhomes available you should think through how you are going to park your vehicle for peace of mind. If your campervan is just for leisure and you do intend to travel and holiday further afield, consider fuel consumption. You don’t want to end up saddled with a second mortgage just to get on the road! Age, make and model and road type are the determining factors. At Camperco all our ex-rental vehicles are under 2 years old when they come off the fleet and they are equipped with some of the latest energy saving technology to ensure engines are as energy efficient as possible.

  1. Where will you park your van?

Look into this before you buy  you don’t want to be stuck with a motorhome or campervan with nowhere to park it. Parking for your car may not be suitable for the motorhome, measure your off street space before buying your new home on wheels.

Wild parking rules are different in every country but be aware that most places, and in particular cities and towns, in UK and Ireland it is illegal to sleep in your motorhome or campervan when parked on the street. Check with your local council (town or county) as to whether there are any local restrictions to where you may park. There could be issues with neighbours regarding light restriction and take parking into consideration when you’re on your travels. Make sure to check if the nearest supermarket to your pitch has height/width restrictions?

  1. Research your Finance Options. 

Buying a campervan or motorhome is a big investment and researching how to finance your purchase will open up a market place full of options. Funding your initial deposit may mean cashing in savings, shares or even downsizing your bricks and mortar assets in favour of your home on wheels! At Camperco we work with Close Brothers Motor Finance who offer finance assistance on our new and used campervans and motorhomes for sale. Read about our partners Close Brother’s Motor Finance or enquire within about some of our options and payment schemes available to assist you buying your camper.

  1. Look for a Full Mechanical and Habitation History.

Before you invest in adopting a second hand campervan, be sure to understand its pedigree!  You need to understand that the vehicle has been properly cared for throughout its previous life. There are two aspects to this.

Firstly, the vehicle. Ask for the service history on the vehicle and ensure servicing and maintenance has been carried out by the approved chassis dealer. Every campervan should have a full Pre Delivery Inspection (PDI) carried out by each chassis manufacturer before it is deemed fit to go on the hire fleet and this report should be available as part of the paperwork.

Secondly, the campervan. Ask for copies of the current Gas Safety certificate and the Habitation Check.  Any reputable hirers or dealers will invest in an annual gas safety inspection by a Gas Safe certified engineer. The habitation check means that all household appliances have been tested and certified to be in good working order eg: gas boiler and cooker, electrical charging circuitry for lighting and hook up and the water system.  The hab check includes a damp test for water ingress. Caring for the Motorhome through its rental life in this way is best practice and demonstrates that the campervan hire company has invested in maintaining their fleet to a high standard.

  1. Cleaning the interior, more than a lick and a promise!

When it comes to cleaning we all know it’s easy to cut corners! At Camperco we have a detailed checklist to run through before we make our rental fleet available for sale. This means the camper will be rigorously checked, cleaned and detailed so all our ex-rental campers are the same high quality. Our Regional Fleet Managers and their teams are tasked with delivering deep cleans including shampooing upholstery and a full interior valet to return the campervan as near to its original new condition as possible. The full detailing of the vehicle ensures that the campervan gets more than just a lick and a promise before it is ready for sale. At the end of every rental the campervan is cleaned to a professional standard. Bunk Campervans operate a strict no smoking and no pet policy on its rental fleet to compliment the ongoing standards of hygiene and cleanliness.

  1. Comfort, leisure and practicality

A T5 or T6 campervan is perfect for two to four people to sleep in. If you are looking to live out of the campervan it may be an idea to pitch a tent or add a rail for a drive away awning as a way of making it more suitable to your needs.

Consider what you’re looking from your campervan or motorhome before your purchase. Decide if you are looking for a roomy motorhome feel in your home on wheels or if it is just something to use as your transport and sleep.

It’s also worth noting If you passed your driving test before Jan 1997 you can drive a motorhome/campervan up to 7.5 tonnes. If you passed after that date you’re limited to 3.5 tonnes. All Camperco’s vehicles are less than 3.5 tonnes so you will not need to worry about this when purchasing an ex-rental vehicle or other motorhome from us.

  1. We don’t do old bangers

When it comes to buying your campervans cheapness should not always be the main motivator. Most campers seem to hold their value well, so there are few real “not as obvious” bargains out there.

A cheap campervan may look lovely inside but if the engine and bodywork is shot, you could end up the proud owner of a financial black hole, and ending holidays on the back of a low loader.

Remember when you are finding your campervan for sale you’ll be planning for your great escapes, family road-trips and sightseeing adventures. You’ll want something that you are confident to perform and you’ll be able to enjoy whether you’re touring secluded glens, rugged coasts or parking up in your favourite campsite.

How to Purchase!

If you are thinking of buying an ex-rental campervan, you can visit us at any of our network of regional showrooms across the UK and Ireland (Belfast ,Edinburgh & London) where we can show you around, have a look a see some of the ex-rental campervans for sale or coming soon. Alternatively to register your interest in our fleet and help you make an informed choice before you decide to invest in your motorhome purchase simply email [email protected] or call us at +44(0) 2890 813057 to book an appointment.

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