Buy a second hand motor home: 10 tips

When you decide to buy a second hand motor home, either to a private owner or to an authorized dealer, you must take into consideration some details to make sure that the motor home is in perfect condition and that it will not cause you any problems in a close future.

Getting a motor home allows the owner to travel anywhere he wants with total independence. You can plan a summer holiday in a camping in Benidorm, a week of snow in a camping site in the Pyrenees or getaways for the weekends or long weekends all around the Spanish territory.

In conclusion, it is not a cheap purchase and it is suppose to last for a long time.

Search for the motor home adapted to your necessities and budget
Before starting any purchase, you have to think what use you are going to give to the motor home, your space or size necessities and the budget you have. With all these things in mind, it will be easier to find the perfect vehicle for you.

Check the second hand motor home documentation in advanced
As you will have to do when purchasing any second hand vehicle, you must pay special attention in checking that all the paperwork is in order before buying: the log book, the fact sheet or the insurance for the motor home.

Motor home experts advise you to check on the registration date and the kilometers; it could give you a good idea on the use that that motor home has had.

Check on the condition of the tyres and the engine.
It does not matter if you are an expert or you do not know much about engines, it is very important to examine the condition of the engine of the motor home (or take it to a garage to have it done) before purchasing it. Ask for the maintenance book to check on the oil changes or the general services.

It is also very important to drive the motor home for a few kilometers, if possible, to check on the pedals condition, if it brakes properly, if it is difficult to change gears... anything that can help you to get an idea on the general state of the motor home. Do the same with the tyres; check on its maintenance, if all four have been change together or if they vibrate more than normal.

Pay attention on the exterior
As it normally happens when you buy something, the second hand motor home will first of all 'get in your eyes', so you better pay attention on the small exterior details that can show you if the vehicle is been well looked after or not.

Check on the bumpers, if there are any dents on the body, but, mainly check on the underside of the motor home, because there you will see if the previous owner took good care of it, if that was not the case, it could finally cause you a lot of troubles.

General state of the motor home interior
Apart from a vehicle, a motor home is a 'house', a place where you will spend a lot of time, so it is essential that you check on simple things like if the shower works or if there is a wardrobe not closing properly, anything that can be an expense after wards, you can ask the seller to repair it or you can try to get a reduction on the price.

Try all the extra features
The most expensive and the most difficult thing to change if it brakes is the toldo, so you better check it before buying. Unfold it and look for dampness, for any tear or if you find it hard to fold it again.

Do the same with any interior or exterior feature. Examine the roof and the bicycle racks, if the motor home has them. Pay special attention on the interior anchor points.

Proper functioning of the electrical appliances
It may seem evident, but sometimes we forget to check on the proper functioning of the electrical appliances before purchasing a motor home. Everything should work at A 12v and 220; put special attention in the refrigerator, the interior lights or any other appliance that you find in the motor home, because you are paying for those too.

Dampness
If you find dampness in the wardrobes or on the ceiling, bad sign, that means that the previous owner did not take good care of the vehicle or that it may have an isolation problem which will make complicated to enjoy the motor home in the future.

Roof
Many of the future dampness and filtration problems will come from the roof. If you can check it from the top, look for anything that may look strange: too much silicone, it is bend, any crack, etc.

Consult forums and second hand motor home websites
It may be simple, but normally in the second hand motor home user's forums you can find lists with the different models and makes where they explain what problems these motor homes can have or they give you exact details that can help you check on the vehicle real state before buying it.

Camping Villamar
Campsite in Benidorm
http://campingvillamar.com/en/index.php