It’s very easy to let your enthusiasm get in the way of your common sense when you set out to look for a motorhome. The excitement and anticipation of owning your very own vehicle can make even the most sensible of us throw caution to the wind.
So, before starting out, spend some time drawing up a brief specification of the type of motorhome which you hope will fulfil your requirements, coupled with absolute maximum amount you can afford to pay for it. Then, when you visit a dealership, the salesman will be able to point you in the direction of the models he has available which fall within you brief - this will save you wasting your time looking at motorhomes which are unsuitable and/or well
outside your price range.
16 VITAL POINTS FOR YOU TO CHECK
1. Check the motorhome’s registration document carefully. In particular, look at the model/type and taxation class details: avoid any motorcaravan whose vehicle registration document carries incorrect details under these two headings. For example, it may have started life as a Ford Transit and then been converted without the DVLA having been informed. Or, if the taxation class is shown as ‘Private HGV’ and the motorhome weighs more than 3.85 tonnes, then those who suffer from diabetes, or who are over 70 years old could be prohibited from driving it or have
certain restrictions placed upon them (if you think
this may apply to you, phone the DVLA on 01792 782341 to find out more).
2. People who look after their vehicles take pride
in ensuring that they keep a detailed history of all services, MoTs and so on. Think twice before buying a motorhome which doesn’t have some form of
service history - just because the vehicle has a low mileage does not mean that it has been well
maintained. At the very least you should ask to see the previous MoT certificates so you can check that the claimed mileage is genuine.
3. Tyre wear can be a good indication of a motorhome’s general condition. Check to ensure that the tread on all tyres has worn evenly and that there are no cracks or splits in the walls. Don’t forget to check the inside tyre walls (a torch will be useful here).
Although new tyres will solve the problems as far
as cracks and splits are concerned, uneven tread wear could be an indication of more serious problems,
so walk away.
4. Having checked the wheels, spend time
looking underneath the motorhome. Check the
chassis and exhaust system for corrosion. Look for obvious signs of oil leaks and inspect the condition
of the hydraulic pipes, electrical cables, water and waste pipes. OK, so you are not carrying out a detailed inspection but it nevertheless makes sense
to watch for obvious faults and serious corrosion.
Pay particular attention to possible corrosion if you are inspecting a cheap panel van conversion because this type vehicle can be more susceptible to rust
than, say, a coachbuilt or A-class vehicle. One of
the most likely places for rust to manifest itself on a van conversion is where the panels have been cut for the windows.
5. There’s not much that you can easily check
in the engine compartment. Obviously the cleaner
the compartment looks, the better, but apart from checking the various fluid levels and looking for obvious leaks there’s not a lot more you can do to confirm that everything is okay, until you take the motorhome for a test drive.
6. When it comes to bodywork, look down the sides from each end for signs of dents and other damage. In the case of aluminium sides, also check for signs of corrosion, likely to manifest itself by tiny pinholes where the paint has come away. Also, signs of
paint over-spray can mean a poor bodywork repair following an accident. Again, if it looks serious, it probably is, so walk away.
7. Run your eye over the condition of the sealant at the joints: gaps in it, or sealant which is no longer adhering to the bodywork are signs that resealing
is necessary, which is a labour-intensive job and therefore certain to be expensive.
8. Don’t forget to check the roof. A dirty roof may be concealing damage, or breaks in the sealant.
9. Inside the motorhome (especially in the case
of a coachbuilt or A-class) press the walls and ceiling firmly to check for are any signs of softness which would indicate possible water ingress. In particular, do this low down in the corners under the seats and base units because this is often where water ingress first appears, only to be overlooked by the owner until it has taken a firm hold, by which time it may be too late. Stained wallboard is another adverse sign which should not be ignored.
10. Check the plastic windows for gouges and deep scratch damage. Scratches can often be polished out but deep gouges or damage may mean that the window has to be replaced - and a plastic window for a motorhome is an expensive item.
11. While you are examining the windows,
gently lift the seal, at intervals. If the frame is black, this is almost certainly due to water ingress, so look for another vehicle.
12. Make sure to walk all over the floor, feeling for soft spots which may indicate delamination. It is
possible to repair this type of problem but as you will not yet have bought the vehicle, it is better to avoid it in the first place.
13. Do not buy a motorhome in which any of the soft furnishings are missing because even if the dealer were to promise to get you a replacement, he’s in
the hands of the vehicle’s manufacturer and it could take weeks, or even months for the replacement to
be supplied.
14. In the toilet/shower compartment, check the condition of the sealant around the toilet and the shower tray. If a mat is fitted in the shower tray lift it so that you can check for cracks in the tray - don’t simply assume that the tray is okay. Furthermore, depending on the age of the motorhome, it can
sometimes be impossible to get a replacement for a damaged shower tray.
15. Ask to see the owners’ manual, and
suppliers’ instructions for the various items of
equipment in the motorhome. Careful owners will have kept them, and at least you will know that if any problems do arise in the future you can check the appropriate documentation.
16. It is probably best to avoid any motorcaravan which sports too many home-made adaptations:
these may cause problems such as water ingress to arise due to having been badly fitted; equally, they might indicate shortcomings in the original design
of the motorhome.
NOW YOU'VE FOUND THE RIGHT ONE
Once you’re happy that you’ve found the motorhome which meets your specification and budget, take it for a test drive, which should include a mixture of town, country and dual carriageway roads so you can drive at the speeds you are likely to use when touring. Listen for unusual noises from the engine and look for smoke from the exhaust. Give the brakes a thorough workout - although any problems will have to be put right
anyway - before you take delivery. Try a couple of hill starts and see how the clutch responds: in particular, does it show signs of slipping? Check how the steering responds, and if the motorhome doesn’t have power steering, try manoeuvring at a slow speed because this will tell you how much effort will be required when
siting or parking the vehicle. Try to assess the state
of the suspension: one way to do this is to drive over traffic calming humps.
At the end of the test drive, if you are unhappy about anything, talk to the dealer. If he disputes your opinion, remember: it’s your money at stake and there are plenty more dealers out there waiting for you to call in.
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