1  Beds
Fixed beds are the most comfortable, but they have their limitations. Corner beds have cut-off corners, reducing one partner's legroom. Overcab (below) and garage beds may have restricted headroom and one partner will have to climb over the other to leave the bed during the night. Mattress quality is also important: a seating group bed (below) may make up quickly into a perfectly comfortable bed… or it may not – just try it out!

2  Ambiance
Colour is a matter of taste, but how might the fabrics wear over time and would they be likely to put off other buyers when you come to sell? Also consider how different styles may favour certain seasons: dark woods can be a bit oppressive in summer, and bright colour schemes can appear cold in winter. If the 'van is in a well-lit showroom, try closing the blinds to judge what the electric lights are like. Try to assess how much daylight the windows and rooflight will provide on dull or rainy days.

3  Kitchen
Consider storage space, equipment, and worksurface area. And, are you likely to use an oven or a separate freezer compartment enough to justify the space they use? If you plan to stay exclusively on sites with electricity, a microwave could be practical. If you're unsure about how much space you will need, consider a week's touring and what you might be cooking. Also consider how others may be affected: can they sit comfortably in the lounge while someone is cooking?

4  Internal design
Is there enough headroom for you to be able to stand up straight, or manoeuvre throughout the motorhome? Can two people pass each other when one is seated, or working in the kitchen? Can you get to the loo when other occupants are asleep? If children will use the motorhome, are there separate areas where they can read, sleep, and keep their things? And are there clear pathways, at their height, with no sharp edges?

5  Washroom
If you plan to stay on sites all the time, the loo or shower space is not a major consideration as long as it's OK for occasional use. Many washrooms are narrow, so the simplest way to test whether there's enough room for your needs is to physically act out showering, washing etc. If you plan to camp away from facilities, how easily can all occupants get to the bathroom in the morning and is there room for everyone's towels and toothbrushes?

6  Seatbelts
Many motorhomes have only two belted seats. Also, some travel seats are not permitted to be used on a 3.5-tonne chassis (to which some drivers are restricted). But more seats don't necessarily mean a bigger motorhome: some campers can seat up to seven, while most coach-sized US RVs seat only two. Remember that using all the travel seats will take up some of your payload.

7  Size
Among other decisions you must make are: what weight of vehicle you can legally drive, the amount of space you have in which to park the motorhome, and what size of 'van you feel most comfortable driving. Confirm these points before looking at any motorhomes because you will invariably want to buy the biggest model possible to gain the maximum amount of living space. Try to be realistic in your choice – you will not enjoy owning a motorhome if you are dreading manoeuvring it into your driveway at the finish of each trip.

8  Lounge space
This becomes more crucial the longer you spend in the 'van. If you like reclining, is there somewhere to rest your head, or position a cushion? Could one of the beds be used as a sofa? Could the swivel seats become recliners? If you plan to use your 'van for active family trips, you may prefer a dinette (better for mealtimes than for lounging). Can everyone see the TV? If you like socialising, can four or more people sit around with a cup of tea, and come and go in comfort?

9  The future
Consider a change of circumstances. If your eldest child has just got married, or you plan to have a child yourself, how could a floorplan cope with new occupants, or visitors for a day, or a week? Maybe you will retire soon and take longer trips than you have in the past, or perhaps visit friends in the UK? If you're a couple and plan to go south for the winter, is there enough room for you to keep out of each other's hair?

10  Dining
How many people can sit at the table and comfortably reach their plates? Check for table extensions and adjustment mechanisms. If there are swivel cab seats, can the height be adjusted so that shorter occupants can reach the table? And, can both swivel seats be occupied without neighbours knocking knees? Finally, how easy is it to serve food to the table from the kitchen?