Starter van £20k budget is it enough

[Sandpitdave]

Hello: clearly an active forum. First question, which forum is best to post about buying our first MH? Second ,it if it is here: we are wanting to try MH using a small lump sum. If it was £20k budget would this get us anything worth investing it (not mechanically minded at all), or would the rise to £30k change our options and potential enjoyment (60yo who is less mobile than she was!!!).

Previously we've caravanned so have an appreciation of the heating/toilet/etc involved.

 

[Grummyb]

I bought my current van about 8 months ago from a company called Uber leisure they are basically we buy any car but for motorhomes they give the seller a silly low price add a couple of grand and sell it on with out doing anything to it so it was a risk but i got a 2002 Galaxy for 10.5 k no sign of damp or rust I had the cam belt done and got them to MOT it at the same time and it went straight through I hadnt even checked the lights, ive just had the clutch replaced and a couple of tyres so it now stands me at about 12K it drives spot on and is exactly what i want, no its isnt the newest and shinest van but that means i wont be too upset it does get scratched and having the heard issues people have with newer vans i reckon it really is pot luck what you get when buying any van second hand

 

[PeterCarole29]

Hello: clearly an active forum. First question, which forum is best to post about buying our first MH? Second ,it if it is here: we are wanting to try MH using a small lump sum. If it was £20k budget would this get us anything worth investing it (not mechanically minded at all), or would the rise to £30k change our options and potential enjoyment (60yo who is less mobile than she was!!!).

Previously we've caravanned so have an appreciation of the heating/toilet/etc involved.

What part of the country are you and are you looking for an Automatic

 

[BreweryDave]

are there any other sites people have used for used vans?

Look at EBay, Autotrader motorhomes, and Facebook marketplace. Also ‘Motors’ for trade stuff. Be cautious with Facebook tho, plenty of scams there, but also plenty of genuine vans! ( we’re buying one next week we found on Facey!)……but it’s far from our first rodeo

 

[corconx]

Have you checked out any advertised on here by members. We have sold all our Motorhomes privately except first and last. 4 were from new and sold on here or facts. But we no longer have one after 33 years of travelling. It’s a great life. One new from Germany, one new from France, one 6 months old from Germany. One a repossession in UK - another from a dealer who serviced one of our new ones, and one US one from dealer. You must do your own checks 2 Clearwater, ST COLUMB, Cornwall, TR9 6ET not Rely on theres

The biggest thing is PAYLOAD so watch that. We had all autos, LHD.

Best of luck

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[Puddleduck]

You could also try motorhome depot. They sell on behalf of clients.

 

[barryd]

Fascinating and helpful replies, all. Thanks. Yes, I agree private brings risks and a potential saving. We are regulars on Autotrader to keep seeing prices/layouts - are there any other sites people have used for used vans?

Two rentals booked - Arisaig 3 days in a motorhome, and a week in a PVC for the NC500 - giving us a taste of each - space, park-ability, drive-ability, fuel use, etc, etc.

We have a few recommended garages in Glasgow for servicing lined up - the 10% for repairs remarks are helpful

When you narrow down your search to a few models its worth joining some of the specific Facebook groups. For example the Swift one often has vans up for sale as do other general groups like Motorhome Madness etc. There is also Facebook market place but it can be a bit hit and miss. I sold my last motorhome on there though in 24 hours. One thing you can do of course with Facebook is maybe do a bit of digging into the sellers history and profile on the site. If they are long term members and have had issues there is a good chance they will have posted about it.

You might get lucky and find one that is known to the group. I did that with a motorcycle a couple of years back. Everyone on the group knew the seller well and the bike. We are good friends now.

 

[Baggydave]

Most definitely you have.

Perhaps I have too . Only servicing so far

 

[BreweryDave]

If I had 20k ish, and space on my drive, I’d buy this from the classifieds in a heartbeat……can’t seem to link it, but this….
….have a look

 

[Puddleduck]

If I had 20k ish, and space on my drive, I’d buy this from the classifieds in a heartbeat……can’t seem to link it, but this….
….have a look

View attachment 1036800

I would have had that as well but need an automatic.

Our second van was a Hymer reg xxx xx7Y and still around but more a lawn ornament over the last 10 years. Maybe be used as a cheap extension.

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[barryd]

If I had 20k ish, and space on my drive, I’d buy this from the classifieds in a heartbeat……can’t seem to link it, but this….
….have a look

View attachment 1036800

Here's the link to the ad.

Hymer B544

Ready for sale in April 2025

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Quite a few in there and you can filter to price

Motorhome Sales

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[corconx]

If I had 20k ish, and space on my drive, I’d buy this from the classifieds in a heartbeat……can’t seem to link it, but this….
….have a look

View attachment 1036800

That looks like dawsey

 

[Silverfishface]

Hello: clearly an active forum. First question, which forum is best to post about buying our first MH? Second ,it if it is here: we are wanting to try MH using a small lump sum. If it was £20k budget would this get us anything worth investing it (not mechanically minded at all), or would the rise to £30k change our options and potential enjoyment (60yo who is less mobile than she was!!!).

Previously we've caravanned so have an appreciation of the heating/toilet/etc involved.

I am selling my motorhome I have had for 7years it’s 4 berth and a weinsburg on a Fiat chassis and looking for £23,000 if you are interested and can send your more details
Tony