Thoughts on a Motorhome for Sale

[Chrisb8]

Hi, I have found a motorhome for sale that I'm interested in, but haven't bought one before and so was wondering if anyone would be able to offer their thoughts.

The motorhome is listed on AutoTrader Here and is for sale for £9,995. It is a 1999 reg and has 42,000 miles on it. I've spoken with the seller, and they have said: -

• The acquired through part exchange
• It is in good condition for it's age
• No warranty or hab check
• Cambelt due in 12 months (cost approximately £600)
• Gas boiler taken out - electic only boiler
• No signs of damp and nothing "hanging off"
• Solid floor
• Windows and blinds in good condition
• Bathroom damp repaired by previous owner (rewooded and panelled)
• Full service history since 2013

I don't have any experience with motorhomes, and so if anyone could let me if there are any red flags, or any other thoughts of buying it, it would be appreciated.

Thanks, Chris

 

[Landy Andy]

Bathroom damp repaired by previous owner (rewooded and panelled)

This would be my concern

 

[Chrisb8]

This would be my concern

Agreed. Wasn't sure whether it was normal for this sort of thing to occur in old MHs?

 

[headlight]

Hi, I have found a motorhome for sale that I'm interested in, but haven't bought one before and so was wondering if anyone would be able to offer their thoughts.

The motorhome is listed on AutoTrader Here and is for sale for £9,995. It is a 1999 reg and has 42,000 miles on it. I've spoken with the seller, and they have said: -

• The acquired through part exchange
• It is in good condition for it's age
• No warranty or hab check
• Cambelt due in 12 months (cost approximately £600)
• Gas boiler taken out - electic only boiler
• No signs of damp and nothing "hanging off"
• Solid floor
• Windows and blinds in good condition
• Bathroom damp repaired by previous owner (rewooded and panelled)
• Full service history since 2013

I don't have any experience with motorhomes, and so if anyone could let me if there are any red flags, or any other thoughts of buying it, it would be appreciated.

Thanks, Chris

"No signs of damp" but no hab check ?
How does the seller know there is no damp ?
Electric boiler only means you will need to be on EHU to have hot water.
Solid floor, again without a damp check how does the seller know there is no damp in the floor ?
Bathroom damp repaired by previous owner. You will have no idea how bad the damp was or how good the repair is.
Personally I would give it a miss.

 

[AndyPK]

Definitely ‘buyer-beware’ - I would be VERY cautious, especially with there being previous damp issues and no hab. check……….

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[Chrisb8]

"No signs of damp" but no hab check ?
How does the seller know there is no damp ?
Electric boiler only means you will need to be on EHU to have hot water.
Solid floor, again without a damp check how does the seller know there is no damp in the floor ?
Bathroom damp repaired by previous owner. You will have no idea how bad the damp was or how good the repair is.
Personally I would give it a miss.

Thanks. Not being an expert, I thought the fact he took it as part exchange was a sign it was probably in ok knick.

Hadn't appreciated the significance of no gas boiler only. That could be a big issue.

Appreciate your POV.

 

[Chrisb8]

Definitely ‘buyer-beware’ - I would be VERY cautious, especially with there being previous damp issues and no hab. check……….

Seems like this is a common concern. Thanks. I'm thinking I will probably swerve this one.

 

[Podney]

See Buyers Guide on this site.

 

[barryd]

Im not sure a trader can sell a vehicle with "no warranty". Pretty sure you have a statutory warranty with a refund for a month and then I think six months to rectify any faults so I would ask about that and I would maybe ask for a hab check or get one done.

There will always be a risk of damp in any motorhome of that age but if it checks out it might be worth a punt. I would be checking reviews on the dealer as well.

 

[meanders]

As well as the above, this seems to be the only thread on the dealer. https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/junction-7-motorhomes-pershore-anyone-used-them.189356/

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[CazPaul]

Keep looking

 

[Landy Andy]

If it’s not far from you go and have a look. The more that you see, the more you will learn.

You don’t know the good till you’ve seen the bad.

 

[Chrisb8]

If it’s not far from you go and have a look. The more that you see, the more you will learn.

You don’t know the good till you’ve seen the bad.

50 miles. I think given what others have said, and my lack of knowledge, i am going to leave this one.

 

[headlight]

Chrisb8 also it has only done 42,000 miles in 26 years.
That suggests that it has spent a lot of time parked up not being used which is not good for the van.
Have you checked the MOT history ?

 

[The Wino]

I'd say it would be like buying a car if you didn't have any mechanical knowledge and it was sold as seen with an engine repair and lots of welding by a previous owner for structural rust. It would be a bit of a gamble

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[headlight]

50 miles. I think given what others have said, and my lack of knowledge, i am going to leave this one.

BTW you only get 5 free posts.
Well worth paying the £20 membership fee to gain full access to the forum which means you will be able to read the excellent buying a motorhome guide plus technical resources section and classified ads.

 

[Whippet93]

For the cost of a hab check, a decent dealer would pay for it before advertising so they knew what comeback there might be and could use it as a selling point.

 

[headlight]

For the cost of a hab check, a decent dealer would pay for it before advertising so they knew what comeback there might be and could use it as a selling point.

Except this van is being sold "no hab check, bought as seen no warranty"
That in itself would worry me on a £10 grand purchase.

 

[Jev88]

Give us the reg and I'll show you MOT history

 

[headlight]

Give us the reg and I'll show you MOT history

The reg is T672LBC, I've looked up the MOT history.
It's had to have welding done, which is commonplace on a van of this age but what standard was the welding done to, could have been done to a good standard or just enough to get through an MOT.
I just think it's to much of a risk for a £10 grand van.

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[Figaro]

 

[f6c]

Welcome aboard

 

[Malyn]

Any mention of the chassis condition, it’ll probably need or more than likely has had welding done, ask the question because welding can run into £1000’s , tread carefully

 

[Jev88]

The reg is T672LBC, I've looked up the MOT history.
It's had to have welding done, which is commonplace on a van of this age but what standard was the welding done to, could have been done to a good standard or just enough to get through an MOT.
I just think it's to much of a risk for a £10 grand van.

2022 and 2023 subframe and chassis needed welding. The standard and position of that are the critical points to me. After welding it looks like it has not been driven for the last 2 / 3 years.
So it could be a cheap older van but I'd want an expert eye to inspect the welds.

 

[herald_400rl]

10 grand... high hopes if we come to sell ours then. Thought ours would be worth that but if this is the going state then I'll advertise at 15

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[The Wino]

10 grand... high hopes if we come to sell ours then. Thought ours would be worth that but if this is the going state then I'll advertise at 15

They might be asking £10 k what they get could be a totally different number!

 

[herald_400rl]

They might be asking £10 k what they get could be a totally different number!

You can value something at whatever you like but it's only worth what someone will pay for it