After buying a house, changing your motorhome will almost certainly make the biggest difference to your bank balance. So how do you get the best price for your current ’van – part exchange or private sale? Here’s how best to cash in.
Part-exchange
- Shop around to see what kind of dealer quotes you can get for your existing motorhome. Bear in mind the longer-term picture: how far are you prepared to travel to get your new ’van serviced?
- Make sure you have all your vehicle’s documentation with you when you visit the dealer.
- Timing is important. Dealers don’t necessarily want to be clogged up with second-hand stock over the winter months.
- If you can, remove any DIY work from your ’van.
- Find out what other dealers and private sellers have asked for a similar model.
- Trading your motorhome in with a specialist dealer? Remember that it will cost them a lot less to fix any major damage than it would you.
- Tell the buyer if you intend to transfer any additional equipment, such as reversing cameras, to your new ’van.
- If you’ve decided to give up motorcaravanning completely, you may be better off including any accessories.
Private sale
- Presentation is key. Your ’van should be absolutely immaculate when it is being viewed by a potential buyer.
- Be prepared to prove that you are the official owner of the vehicle and if the address from which you’re selling it differs from that on the ownership records, explain why.
- Put the heater on: a warm and cosy interior on a winter’s day can make all the difference. [tl:gallery index=1 size=215×129]
- Where is the best place to advertise your motorhome –
on the internet, in the local papers, or in specialist magazines? Have a look at
our own free-to-use www.practical
motorhome.com/forsale classified site. - Price your ’van correctly. Buyers will expect to pay slightly less in a private deal than from a specialist dealer.
- You must be able to provide details about the manufacturer and the base vehicle. For the latter, not just the make and model, but engine details, too.
- Make sure your ’van’s servicing is up to date.
- Be prepared to offer any prospective buyer a test drive, but check they have the insurance to cover this. Alternatively, change your policy to cover any driver during the selling process.
- Never hand over the keys and/or documentation until the sale is complete. This includes waiting for a banker’s draft to clear.
- Tell the DVLA know you’re no longer the vehicle’s official keeper. Do this by sending in your V5C document, and ensure you get a response from the DVLA. Remember – the onus is on you to do this, not the new owner.