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Anyone bought or sold a second-hand caravan recently? I need some pre-sale advice please.

8 replies

AnotherFineMess · 29/08/2008 20:38

We were very generously given a touring 5-berth caravan last summer. It's pretty old (I'd guess late 70s/early 80s from the orange & brown soft furnishings!) but we've had a few lovely, cosy weekends & short breaks in it.

Trouble is, the people who were storing it on their drive for us (for free) can no longer have it there, so we're going to start having to pay for storage. Coupled with perol costs etc, it's becoming a bit too expensive for us so we're hoping to sell it and use the proceeds to buy a great tent & accessories.

Now, here is the bit I need some help with - we know it had one previous careful owner & we've done our best to maintain it. It's warm but I suspect there may be a small leak around one window seal. It's old and has suffered normal wear & tear, and there are some things that we've never figured out how to work. Overall, we're pretty vague about the specifications so haven't a clue whether anyone will buy it from us. We aren't aware of anyone we know personally who might want it so were thinking about advertising on e-bay or something - did a quick search this morning and was terrified by the amount of detail that people can supply.

Right now, I couldn't even tell you the model or anything as it's stored a few miles away & we don't have any paperwork. We'll be able to find out basic details like that and provide photographs when we do decide to sell, but do you think that will be enough?

We only want enough to buy a tent etc, I was thinking about £300 - does that sound about right for the age & conditions I've described?

From what you've read you'll know we're clueless - do you think this will prevent anyone buying from us? It is a genuinely good (but old) van so how do I convey that to potential buyers with the limited info I have?

Long post - sorry!! Any advice gratefully received.

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AnotherFineMess · 29/08/2008 20:53

Bump-ditty-bump-bump-bump.

Boring & long I know, but pur-lease help so I can start doing Something Useful tomorrow.

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Lucycat · 29/08/2008 22:08

Is there any useful info on ukcampsite? they do have a caravanning forum that will help you - they are lovely people over there.

Sorry can't help further - just glad that you have seen the light and are moving to a tent - they are very different - not many nights camping in England can be described as 'cosy'

here you go

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AnotherFineMess · 29/08/2008 22:11

Thanks for that, Lucycat. I shall have a peruse.

Re: non-cosy nights - how do you keep DCs warm enough in tent? Are layers & sleeping bags enough? I've got an almost 4yo & an almost 2yo.

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Pacific · 29/08/2008 22:24

We sold an oldish caravan last year through the Autotrader but I think ebay is just as good.

There will bea name on the caravan somewhere, just like on a car. So when you advertise it just call it 'Sprite' or 'Lunar' or whatever the name is.

Buyers will be interested in

bed layout; 5 berth. Is that a double and 3 singles or 2 doubles and a single?

electrics; Does it have a leisure battery and/or mains? Is there a hook up cable?

TV arial?

Cooking facilities; oven, hob, grill etc.

Toilet facilities: Porta-potty or cassette toilet?

Are you supplying waste water container, an aquaroll or any other extras?

Awning?

Thse are the main things. If the buyer wants more info, they will have to ask you directly.

You can admit to the small leak if they ask, all old vans are expected to have the occasional leak.

HTH

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Heated · 29/08/2008 22:29

We bought ours through Preloved.

You could also try finder but I've never used them.

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Heated · 29/08/2008 22:31

Sorry, link didn't work, caravan finder

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AnotherFineMess · 30/08/2008 13:58

Thanks for all that info Pacific, that's really helpful, ditto Heated for the link.

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serin · 30/08/2008 21:56

Even 80's caravans can fetch around £1,000 if they are in good condition, I would stick it on ebay with photos of its best bits and let the auction run its course.

We camp and caravan, we love both but they are very different experiences, we find there is more space in the tent but the van is much warmer so better in the winter months (obviously!!).

Don't undersell yourself.

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