Thinking of Selling, but told prices are dropping like a stone

[Sue]

Very depressing..
We are thinking of selling our IH Motorhome… it’s simply time to move on, but we have been told that, although prices went up after covid, they are now dropping like a stone. The market is weak because the future is so uncertain
What does everyone think? Is this your experience?

 

[suavecarve]

I ve just seen the Rollerteam 685 (fully loaded) that we P'exed for £50K against our newer motorhome.

They got it in August and available to sell immediately at £58K but they havent sold it and is currently at £52,995

 

[Saucer]

Motorhome man on YouTube, who I had become bored by, has done a recent video about prices having dropped.

 

[Bobby dazzler]

Exactly

 

[Saucer]

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[The Wino]

A similar thing has happened with car prices just after COVID there were shortages now petrol and diesel car sales are showing reductions compared to last year.

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

From what I have seen still unrealistic prices at the dealers. Maybe they are hoping for a miracle. Still run if the mill motorhomes that are 10 years old for 40 plus grand.

I’m looking for a Motorhome at present, 2 berth, automatic, with garage and bed long enough for my height, so limiting options. Prices being asked for premium motorhomes at 9/10 years old are holding up at almost £60k, not that much less than new or almost new ones. TBH it’s causing uncertainty in our buying plans as not wanting to buy just as the market adjusts downward.

 

[The Wino]

I’m looking for a Motorhome at present, 2 berth, automatic, with garage and bed long enough for my height, so limiting options. Prices being asked for premium motorhomes at 9/10 years old are holding up at almost £60k, not that much less than new or almost new ones. TBH it’s causing uncertainty in our buying plans as not wanting to buy just as the market adjusts downward.

I don't think your going to get a premium new or nearly new motorhome for £60k!

 

[Saucer]

I’m looking for a Motorhome at present, 2 berth, automatic, with garage and bed long enough for my height, so limiting options. Prices being asked for premium motorhomes at 9/10 years old are holding up at almost £60k, not that much less than new or almost new ones. TBH it’s causing uncertainty in our buying plans as not wanting to buy just as the market adjusts downward.

I think there has been a definite reduction in prices of 2-3 year old vans and older. This has reflected a plateauing of new prices with 24 vans discounted and 25 vans at 24 prices with added extras included.

 

[The Wino]

I think there has been a definite reduction in prices of 2-3 year old vans and older. This has reflected a plateauing of new prices with 24 vans discounted and 25 vans at 24 prices with added extras included.

It does though come down in the end to supply and demand. There is no definite floor to prices or definite ceiling no one usually "needs" a motorhome. I think a big part of the boom was people deciding after covid that they could retire on less than they thought and spending their lump sum or part of it on a motorhome. That blip in retirement has now passed and I think there's less money burning holes in people's pockets.

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[Pausim]

I’m looking for a Motorhome at present, 2 berth, automatic, with garage and bed long enough for my height, so limiting options. Prices being asked for premium motorhomes at 9/10 years old are holding up at almost £60k, not that much less than new or almost new ones. TBH it’s causing uncertainty in our buying plans as not wanting to buy just as the market adjusts downward.

I don’t think you should look at a motorhome as an investment. Decide how much you want to spend against the enjoyment you will get from using it and get out there having a good time.

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

I don’t think you should look at a motorhome as an investment. Decide how much you want to spend against the enjoyment you will get from using it and get out there having a good time.

I’m not expecting to make money, but to minimise potential “losses”. Fully intend to use and enjoy travelling as we enter retirement. Just wary that a market adjustment downwards would see the value of whatever we bought fall.

It does though come down in the end to supply and demand. There is no definite floor to prices or definite ceiling no one usually "needs" a motorhome. I think a big part of the boom was people deciding after covid that they could retire on less than they thought and spending their lump sum or part of it on a motorhome. That blip in retirement has now passed and I think there's less money burning holes in people's

There are so many factors determine the market as you say. Demand post-COVID rose as people re-evaluated their options for work/life balance, and at the same time supply of vehicles was restricted due to to the halting of manufacturing, then the disruption to electronics and other components.
Now those pressures have reduced, there seems to be a lot of unsold new/late stock, with private sellers expecting premium prices for older (7-9 year old, Euro 6) vehicles. Maybe I’ve underestimated just how slowly motorhomes depreciate?
Maybe the features that we are looking for are pushing us into higher price bands? To me FIAT chassis are not as desirable as Mercedes or VW/MAN, and as automatic gearbox is a must, as is a garage for storing our bikes, the potential vehicles on the market is limited. Add in that some interiors are rather dark and dated in appearance, and we don’t want/need over 7m, all reduce the pool.
Hopefully our trip to NEC next month will settle our options and a purchase will follow soon. Importantly, this forum has provided such a wealth of information, and tips from members sharing their experiences that we will choose wisely.

 

[The Wino]

I’m not expecting to make money, but to minimise potential “losses”. Fully intend to use and enjoy travelling as we enter retirement. Just wary that a market adjustment downwards would see the value of whatever we bought fall.

There are so many factors determine the market as you say. Demand post-COVID rose as people re-evaluated their options for work/life balance, and at the same time supply of vehicles was restricted due to to the halting of manufacturing, then the disruption to electronics and other components.
Now those pressures have reduced, there seems to be a lot of unsold new/late stock, with private sellers expecting premium prices for older (7-9 year old, Euro 6) vehicles. Maybe I’ve underestimated just how slowly motorhomes depreciate?
Maybe the features that we are looking for are pushing us into higher price bands? To me FIAT chassis are not as desirable as Mercedes or VW/MAN, and as automatic gearbox is a must, as is a garage for storing our bikes, the potential vehicles on the market is limited. Add in that some interiors are rather dark and dated in appearance, and we don’t want/need over 7m, all reduce the pool.
Hopefully our trip to NEC next month will settle our options and a purchase will follow soon. Importantly, this forum has provided such a wealth of information, and tips from members sharing their experiences that we will choose wisely.

The thing is can you think of people who don't want the things you do if they came at a cheap price! Typical motorhome depreciation has always been low whether it stays that way who knows. Sooner or later it's going to come down to taking a punt I always see vehicles as things that lose money it's spending not investing as you say. My feeling is that prices could well stabilise where they are but who knows also you are probably looking at asking prices rather than prices achieved it wouldn't surprise me if people are paying a bit less than the asking price at the moment

 

[busbuddy]

I put my 2003 motorhome up for sale on here in October, not the best time to sell but I am in no rush.
2 people have been to see it, one was more interested in seeing what you get for the age/money and was upfront about that..I was happy to oblige, one gave me a deposit but a few weeks later had to pull out because they could find nowhere close to them to store it...I did offer the deposit back but they wouldn't have it.
It was only put on sale here and only for just over a month in winter so I don't think it was disappointing how many people contacted me.
I, personally, think a lot of vans for sale at dealers are very overpriced and specifically advertise 'lots of extras' that are only of interest to a few buyers and not the majority

 

[Bobby dazzler]

I’m looking for a Motorhome at present, 2 berth, automatic, with garage and bed long enough for my height, so limiting options. Prices being asked for premium motorhomes at 9/10 years old are holding up at almost £60k, not that much less than new or almost new ones. TBH it’s causing uncertainty in our buying plans as not wanting to buy just as the market adjusts downward.

I am the same to be honest i wouldn't get that much for mine on a part ex if anything. And it's still bulletproof and built to last so for now I am plodding on.

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[bigtwin]

I don't think your going to get a premium new or nearly new motorhome for £60k!

Nor a 9 or 10 year old one.

Ian

 

[cyberyacht]

Oh I don't know. I'd say £60K was a fair price for my 2016 Carthago Compactline 138, not that I'm planning to sell whilst I'm still vertical and breathing.

 

[The Wino]

Oh I don't know. I'd say £60K was a fair price for my 2016 Carthago Compactline 138, not that I'm planning to sell whilst I'm still vertical and breathing.

Whether it's fair totally depends on the going rate which can go up and down a lot. New it looks like one would be about £130k plus extras. I don't see how anyone would think that's very close to £60k!

 

[cyberyacht]

But mine's nine years old not new. I was giving an illustration following a previous post suggesting that 9-10 year old vans were advertised around £60K and, IMHO, for a premium brand that's not unreasonable.

 

[BusyBuilder]

I got £40k for my 2012 Hymer B544, and paid £75k for a 2017 HymerB534. Travel world had a similar one better spec at £95k ! Which I though outrageous.
A big chunk of change but Carthagos and Frankias were very similar prices.

Could have waited for prices to drop, but my p/e would also have dropped.

We all want the best we can get for the least money, but you have to make the choice at some point.

Mine is up for sale at £45k

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[Nanniemate]

I always think its sad when you drive past mhs parked and going green not having moved for years.

If your not using don't let it sit there rotting get rid

 

[nicholsong]

I got £40k for my 2012 Hymer B544, and paid £75k for a 2017 HymerB534. Travel world had a similar one better spec at £95k ! Which I though outrageous.
A big chunk of change but Carthagos and Frankias were very similar prices.

Could have waited for prices to drop, but my p/e would also have dropped.

We all want the best we can get for the least money, but you have to make the choice at some point.

Mine is up for sale at £45k

The buying price at £75K and the p/e price at £40K gives a difference of £35K

If both dropped 10% to $67.5K and £36K respectively the difference would be £ 31.5K so you would have been £3.5K better off.

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

I don't think your going to get a premium new or nearly new motorhome for £60k!

I suppose it depends upon your definition of ‘premium’ . Maybe I should revise my definition . Certainly not considering spending close to 6-figure sum for our first Motorhome.

I suppose I’m looking at Continental over British for build, and other than Fiat, there’s not much choice of chassis with auto’ boxes. There are a few Ford Transit base vehicles about with automatics, but the multiple issues with wet belts doesn’t bode well for reliability and I have had previous quality problems with Fords. That sort of steers me only to consider a new Ford chassis, where warranty and no concerns over previous maintenance/service work. Mercedes have a reasonable reputation for reliability, and that’s probably why they hold value, but then you are looking at older tech and interior styles. VW (MAN) are relative newcomers in coachbuilt motorhomes, so not many on the market, though the Knaus Ti Plus is certainly on my radar.

 

[Jonno1103]

I don't think your going to get a premium new or nearly new motorhome for £60k!

There's a 2 berth Auto Trail GF 70 A Class with all the toys & tow bar currently sitting on Brownhills forecourt for £64999. Rated at 4000kg, less than 3 years old. An unregistered one is £99999. AT Comanche HB less than 2 years old for £84999, this 5000kg tag axle was well over 6 figures new.

The heavier vans seem to losing value quicker as not many can drive them. Mind you there's an argument in saying that even some with grandfather rights can't drive them either considering the speed at which a large Carthago overtook us on the A1 today!

 

[The Wino]

There's a 2 berth Auto Trail GF 70 A Class with all the toys & tow bar currently sitting on Brownhills forecourt for £64999. Rated at 4000kg, less than 3 years old. An unregistered one is £99999. AT Comanche HB less than 2 years old for £84999, this 5000kg tag axle was well over 6 figures new.

The heavier vans seem to losing value quicker as not many can drive them. Mind you there's an argument in saying that even some with grandfather rights can't drive them either considering the speed at which a large Carthago overtook us on the A1 today!

But the post I referred to was talking about Mercedes base quality build with an automatic box .

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[Yorkshirelad175]

I can only think that Marquis Motorhomes must be expecting record sales this year going by the number of new models currently parked at their South Yorkshire site.
I passed by today and was surprised how many motorhomes they had in store. It is a large site, and every available area was being used to store vehicles. I thought the interest in motorhomes was in decline for 2025 ? Obviously Marquis think differently, although they won’t be counting me as a customer. I have no intention of purchasing a new vehicle, and if I were it definitely would not be from this dealership.

 

[BusyBuilder]

The buying price at £75K and the p/e price at £40K gives a difference of £35K

If both dropped 10% to $67.5K and £36K respectively the difference would be £ 31.5K so you would have been £3.5K better off.

Assuming the dealer dropped 10% off both, I'd already negotiated £3k off plus habitation, and timing belt change.

 

[nicholsong]

Assuming the dealer dropped 10% off both, I'd already negotiated £3k off plus habitation, and timing belt change.

I was just using your figures to illustrate a general point about the effect of a market dip on a purchase involving a p/x deal, where a fall in the market can be beneficial if one has a MH to sell.

 

[The Wino]

I was just using your figures to illustrate a general point about the effect of a market dip on a purchase involving a p/x deal, where a fall in the market can be beneficial if one has a MH to sell.

True although the thing you own at the end is worth £7.5k less in dealers prices than it would have been. Until you reach the point where you finish motorhoming and sell up it's all just numbers! In terms of the money you could realise from the motorhome it's gone down by more than you saved paying to px.