State of the Market for older Vans

[Dionysius]

I'm looking to buy a van budget £15-30k. Have been looking for a while but had to postpone buying for a year due to my mother being ill for a very long time but ive been following various prices of vans Im interested in.

For the last year prices have been in my opinion artificially high for even rusty and high mileage older vehicles, and vans selling very quickly, so quick in fact theyve gone before I can contact the sellor.

My question is therefore....

With the impending cost of living crisis, winter/xmas coming, fuel and mortgages rising steeply, and now half-term is over many families have had their last holiday of the year, will prices return to a more reasonable level at the lower end of the market ?

I'm sure for new/nearly new stuff if you can afford £70k+ on a new van these costs probably arent much of a worry, but lower down the food chain ?

Have people noticed a slow down and prices dropping ?

 

[IRHP]

So you are predicting that my very serviceable N&B Arto 2003 will be worth scrap value in 5-10 years? How much do you want to.bet?

I don't know, you will know better than me but it's almost 20 years old just now so in 10 years it will be almost 30. On average they don't last that long. Googling seems to suggest the average is 20 years. I would hope it's longer than that.

 

[sonny]

I’m trying to sell my sprinter motor caravan and if it doesn’t sell at near the price i want I’ll use it simple

 

[enark]

Until the chinese stop having city wide lock downs, the micro chip shortage continues, so Fiat etc can’t produce the vans, and the MH chassis is only a minor part of their business and will be prioritised accordingly…. Then new models are in short supply, which pushes the demand down the chain.

also more popularity of self determined holidays, means again demand up, supply down so don’t expect price drops just yet.

 

[Oldbag2]

Perhaps I should reduce my motorhome as I would like to sell it sooner than later!

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[68c]

I wonder what the demographics are on motorhomes? Say starting from 1990, how many were sold new each year. If there are not many 1990 vans about now it may just be because there were few vans sold then. Our Pilote 270 van is 21 years old and still going strong, admittedly I had to do major welding repairs to the front chassis extension that connects to the cross beam under the radiator. Otherwise the usual brake servicing, cam belt etc. I expect it to last another ten years, I will be 80 then so may no longer be able to do my own servicing which will probably mean selling it on to a younger keen lad. Not expecting to get much for it then but may start a young couple off into the hobby. Our first van, a Talbot Camelot, was twenty years old, cheap but got enough for it a few years later to upgrade to a fifteen year old Swift 500. Now on our lovely Pilote 270, love that 2.8Hdi motor.

 

[Jason Hadlow]

I'm looking to buy a van budget £15-30k. Have been looking for a while but had to postpone buying for a year due to my mother being ill for a very long time but ive been following various prices of vans Im interested in.

For the last year prices have been in my opinion artificially high for even rusty and high mileage older vehicles, and vans selling very quickly, so quick in fact theyve gone before I can contact the sellor.

My question is therefore....

With the impending cost of living crisis, winter/xmas coming, fuel and mortgages rising steeply, and now half-term is over many families have had their last holiday of the year, will prices return to a more reasonable level at the lower end of the market ?

I'm sure for new/nearly new stuff if you can afford £70k+ on a new van these costs probably arent much of a worry, but lower down the food chain ?

Have people noticed a slow down and prices dropping ?

I don’t see prices easing off at all. It’s a sort of balancing. Prices for used cars and motorhomes in Europe are much higher. At your budget, you’d be looking at a 20year old Pilote or a 25 year old Hymer there. I’d get in now before we hit parity!

 

[simon bocock]

So you are predicting that my very serviceable N&B Arto 2003 will be worth scrap value in 5-10 years? How much do you want to.bet?

Agree . My 2005 much modified Internally Dethleffs Globebus 2 bought new at Le Bourget show , 2.8 turbo diesel , auto , cab air con , still going strong .
Alko air assist rear suspension . Two Midi Heki roof lights. Avtex TVs front and rear . Rear windows . Thermo roof fan above cooking area . Annexe tent . Fiama rear box . Under 6 metres long , 2.1 metres wide , for easy parking . Why would I want to change it ?

 

[These Big Adventures]

Cost of finance going up could in theory cool off new MH sales but this will just keep demand for second hand ones at a fairly strong level. The pandemic flipped a switch in a lot of people's mind about the work/life balance and the daily grind so van life is a big draw for a lot of these people and this demand will continue to be strong for a few more years. Inflation will not be brought under control so prices for everything will continue to rise so I wouldn't necessarily wait, someone somewhere will be happy for a quick sale though. Good luck with the search

 

[EuroTrotters]

I bagged a Hymer A Class in 2016 for 1/2 its real value.

Just had to take a punt and collected it from Spain.

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[animal]

I'm looking to buy a van budget £15-30k. Have been looking for a while but had to postpone buying for a year due to my mother being ill for a very long time but ive been following various prices of vans Im interested in.

For the last year prices have been in my opinion artificially high for even rusty and high mileage older vehicles, and vans selling very quickly, so quick in fact theyve gone before I can contact the sellor.

My question is therefore....

With the impending cost of living crisis, winter/xmas coming, fuel and mortgages rising steeply, and now half-term is over many families have had their last holiday of the year, will prices return to a more reasonable level at the lower end of the market ?

I'm sure for new/nearly new stuff if you can afford £70k+ on a new van these costs probably arent much of a worry, but lower down the food chain ?

Have people noticed a slow down and prices dropping ?

Hi
Are you still looking for a van, only had mine up for sale last few weeks of Nov and didn't manage to sell it. What sort / make are you looking for mine is a 09 Swift Bolero 630PR .
Merry Christmas Martin

 

[Dionysius]

An Autosleeper. Most likely Symbol on the 07 onwards new shape Boxer chassis or possibly a Duetto on Mk7 Transit or one of the monocoque coachbuilt models.

 

[Tony50]

Hi Dionsius, when buying from anyone or perceived Company make sure they own it!! Plus no finance owed, then buy a good Damp Meter , check internal walls in cupboards , around wheel arches etc. IF the seller don't let you damp check it however much you like the vehicle don't let your heart rule your head , walk away, they have been many on here who have bought honestly and been turned over,. Finally as an example the 2 year Motorhome we had , had damp in it around wheel arches under seats, and in rear.

 

[fat haggis]

I would go for a Hymer if you can. No wood in the main construction so no rotten from the inside out. I’m sure other makes also have no wood in the main construction.

 

[Tony50]

Does anyone know plastic frames last because plastic deteriorates over time ?

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[KUSKUS]

Older Hymers are not wood free, plenty of wood behind the rear wheels that is prone to rot if not looked after.
Just make sure you check before purchasing.

 

[arthur49]

Wildax Europa March 2019 on Renault Master base. Auto. 18000 miles.
Checked with dealer for insurance purposes what he would be selling at.
Answer £58k IF HE COULD GET HOLD OF ONE!
Thats about £5k more than we paid

 

[EuroTrotters]

go back to 2007, La Strada Pronto, Brand new, dealer going Bust £27,000.

Look at used prices now !

 

[EuroTrotters]

So you are predicting that my very serviceable N&B Arto 2003 will be worth scrap value in 5-10 years? How much do you want to.bet?

it will be a classic

 

[nicholsong]

it will be a classic

Like me Trevo

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[jongood]

An Autosleeper. Most likely Symbol on the 07 onwards new shape Boxer chassis or possibly a Duetto on Mk7 Transit or one of the monocoque coachbuilt models.

IMO There is a huge disparity in the market right now with a lot of motorhomes having been bought at high prices by people who ( disturbed by Covid) liked the idea of freedom and believing what they saw on the vanlife videos. Doubtless some of them will have taken to it like a duck to water but how many of the others who have been "moved on" a few times, discovering that there are compromises and it can involve a lot of driving, some time in the repair shop etc will want to get back to fly and flop etc? I think we will get to a point where the second group will be selling the expensive driveway ornaments and this will drive prices down.

Having said that, if now is the right time for you; financially, health, family restrictions, Work etc. then you need to just pitch in harder and do it, if the last 3 years has taught us anything, its that any number of issues can crop up and stop you from living out your dreams.

 

[Tony50]

IMO There is a huge disparity in the market right now with a lot of motorhomes having been bought at high prices by people who ( disturbed by Covid) liked the idea of freedom and believing what they saw on the vanlife videos. Doubtless some of them will have taken to it like a duck to water but how many of the others who have been "moved on" a few times, discovering that there are compromises and it can involve a lot of driving, some time in the repair shop etc will want to get back to fly and flop etc? I think we will get to a point where the second group will be selling the expensive driveway ornaments and this will drive prices down.

Having said that, if now is the right time for you; financially, health, family restrictions, Work etc. then you need to just pitch in harder and do it, if the last 3 years has taught us anything, its that any number of issues can crop up and stop you from living out your dreams.

I reckon that the coming up Warner's Motorhome Show which I think is the place where Dealers get rid of good and not so good secondhand Motorhomes will probably be a good price guide to where the market is .I also heard rightly or wrongly Sales at October's NEC were down

 

[jongood]

I reckon that the coming up Warner's Motorhome Show which I think is the place where Dealers get rid of good and not so good secondhand Motorhomes will probably be a good price guide to where the market is .I also heard rightly or wrongly Sales at October's NEC were down

Tbf I wonder if some of the lower show sales was driven by delivery delays? No way would I order something that I couldnt have for 18 months.

 

[Dionysius]

When where is this show ?

Ive been following some vans, there are about 4x Duettos on ebay & autotrader that are between £18-21k and a similar no. 9f Clubman and Talisman/Executive that have been on sale since September, at same prices - Not sold. So why not ? Sadly they are all at opposite end of country to me so difficult to go along and assess them.

Theres a dealer in reading has a low mileage 2006 Duetto we went to look at but at £27k we felt it way overpriced. Also had alow mileage 2006 Talisman for £25k but it had rust in cab sills we thought again overpriced and they wouldnt budge on price. So we walked. Theyre still for sale a month later despite their ads saying "very popular models be quick these will be gone in days".

 

[Tony50]

When where is this show ?

Ive been following some vans, there are about 4x Duettos on ebay & autotrader that are between £18-21k and a similar no. 9f Clubman and Talisman/Executive that have been on sale since September, at same prices - Not sold. So why not ? Sadly they are all at opposite end of country to me so difficult to go along and assess them.

Theres a dealer in reading has a low mileage 2006 Duetto we went to look at but at £27k we felt it way overpriced. Also had alow mileage 2006 Talisman for £25k but it had rust in cab sills we thought again overpriced and they wouldnt budge on price. So we walked. Theyre still for sale a month later despite their ads saying "very popular models be quick these will be gone in days".

April 21/ 23rd, 2023 East of England Showground , Peterborough, just off A1 easy to get to

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[john prince]

If this helps, part exchanged my Skoda rapid car against an 09 Burstner Nexxo on a Mk7 Transit, screen price was 30k, got my first MH for £22k, ( wished I bought one earlier)!

 

[Dionysius]

You paid £22k plus the skoda car....? Sounds like. Nearly £30k to me in total ?

How was your deal broken down ....

 

[Dionysius]

And what was age/mileage/ spec on skoda car...

 

[nicholsong]

I have just checked Autotrader and asking prices for my N&B Arto 69G 2003 show 13% up on what I paid 12 years ago. Not in real terms of course.

 

[john prince]

Skoda 1.2 Limited Edition Fastback with panoramic roof, on a 64 plate with 49k on clock. This against a Burstner t695 Nexxo, transverse bed, Mk7Transit, 6 speed, 2.2 Diesel, 140bhp.

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[Dionysius]

And what cash balance did you pay on top of the car ?