Selling a motorhome

The main problem with motorhome values is that there is no definitive guide. With the sheer range of motorhomes available, sizes, layouts, base vehicles, and types, and the complexity of fittings, most models are only produced in relatively small quantities compared to the car market.

So, this makes valuation difficult. Even dealers have very little information on used motorhome values, relying on their experience of what they have sold previously.

If there's one thing that you have to accept, it's that unless you bought a classic camper or a VW T2, your motorhome or campervan is likely to be worth less when you sell it than when it was bought. However, the current market conditions and popularity of motorhomes post pandemic, has seen a rise in values as demand outstrips supply.

It all depends on when you bought your current motorhome. If it was pre-pandemic or around the time of this world-changing period, then you could be pleasantly surprised at the value of your vehicle. We have heard reports of those with 10-year-old desirable motorhomes getting a trade-in value of what they originally paid for it when new.

To get a base valuation, try calling a few dealers and explain that you have a motorhome for sale. Explain your motorhome's condition, mileage and age and they will often give you an idea of what it might be worth to them. Note that this is the lowest value. Selling it privately or through a broker will bring in a higher price. How much higher depends on the demand for that type of model.

You can also get a good idea of the relative value of your motorhome by checking out the classified adverts in magazines like MMM and online in our Motorhomes for Sale or Campervans for Sale sections to see what other people are charging for their motorhomes.

An alternative to trading in your motorhome is to simply sell your motorhome to a dealer and use the cash to buy elsewhere.

Again, you won't get the highest price unless your motorhome is in the low mileage and almost new category, and here again, it's worth getting quotes from three or more dealers. The final option when using a dealer is 'sale or return'. This is where you still own the motorhome, but a dealer will agree to display it on its forecourt for a pre-agreed fee and time. It has similarities to selling a house using an estate agent.

Your vehicle needs to be insured (normally by the dealer, but check), both on and off the road while it is in the dealer's care. You may have to pay for any maintenance work required. Be sure you are aware of all the risks and have guarantees in writing for issues such as how long the dealer can hold your money once the motorhome is sold, how much negotiating room there is on the price, what the dealer's commission is, etc.

We recommend that ownership of the motorhome remains with you, not the dealer, until the sale is complete.

The alternative to these channels is to sell a motorhome or campervan yourself, which has the advantage that you can get more money for it, and that you can continue to use it while looking for a buyer.

You can place an advert in your local paper or shop window but you are less likely to get many valuable enquiries.

You can also take out online adverts, such as in our Motorhomes for Sale section. This is one of the best routes to sell, as most research is done online now and so you can potentially reach millions of buyers for a small cost. You will need to provide pictures, a description and a price and, of course, handle all the enquiries. 

Placing an advert on a generic auction or buying/selling website, such as eBay or Gumtree, can be cheaper or even free, but your motorhome may get lost in the crowd. You can also get bombarded with questions from non-serious buyers. Selling privately requires investment, including your time and costs related to preparing it for sale. But the rewards can be the greatest.

You should also take note of the common perils of selling privately and don't hand over the key until the money is in your account.

The first thing to do is to get your motorhome into the best condition possible, and that means some elbow grease is required:

• Wash your motorhome: Firstly, get some good-quality vehicle shampoo and polish and concentrate on the windows and wheels, then the rest of the bodywork
• Shine your alloys: Alloy protector will keep your alloys shiny even if you do a few miles while waiting to sell your motorhome
• Check the grey water outlet: Make sure that the grey water outlet works and that there are no missing covers for any of the services
• Check locks work: Ensure that all locks work freely so that you can demonstrate access to the garage if your motorhome has one, and the cassette toilet and gas locker
• Empty the interior: Inside, it's a matter of clearing out any rubbish, emptying and cleaning the fridge and removing any personal items that may be inside. This can be difficult if you still want to use the motorhome while trying to sell it, but it's certainly better to completely empty the motorhome of all of your personal belongings. It will make the interior look roomier, cleaner and says to the buyer that you are serious about selling
• Remove DIY additions: Don't assume that your DIY modifications will add to your motorhome's appeal. So take a look at all those extra shelves, hooks, tea towel holders, etc, and consider removing them to return the motorhome to as near its original spec as possible – as long as you can do so without leaving behind any unsightly evidence
• Clean upholstery: Check the upholstery, carpets and curtains, and vacuum, stain-remove and wash anything that isn't clean
• Fix all small faults: Make sure any small faults like blown light bulbs are replaced
• Air your motorhome: Make sure the motorhome is odour-free – which includes strong 'air freshener' smells as well as pet, cooking, smoking and musty whiffs
• Get utilities in working order: Test the gas and electric and all the appliances like the fridge and cooker. It's also worth putting in a full gas bottle and filling the water up so that you can demonstrate the heating, sink, shower and toilet. It almost goes without saying that you need to empty the toilet cassette and put the usual chemicals in it
• Test all gadgets: Just because your motorhome is filled to the gunwales with gadgets, don't assume you will get a better price. As is true with the car market, optional extras don't add extra value, though they may make it easier to sell
• Display your tools: If there are specific tools that come with the motorhome, such as gas spanners, wedges, or other accessories, make sure they are on show, or neatly arranged in the garage so you can point them out. Additional components like this make the motorhome more attractive because it shows that it's ready to go as it is