4 ways to sell your motorhome

The time has come to upgrade your motorhome. Perhaps you’ve outgrown your current vehicle or you want a larger motorhome for a longer, European trip? Whatever your reasons for changing your home on wheels, there are several ways to sell it.

In this article, we’ll highlight four of the most popular ways to sell your motorhome.

Remember, before you take ownership of that sparkling new model, you’ll want to get some motorhome insurance in place. Motorhome Protect are specialists at arranging cover for new vehicles or restoration projects, so get a quote today.

Preparing your motorhome for sale

Before you sell your motorhome you’ll want to make sure it’s in tip-top condition so you guarantee the best price.

It goes without saying that you should give your motorhome a thorough spring clean inside and out, making sure all rubbish is cleared away and all the tools and extras that come with it are cleaned and in their proper place. This will show that the vehicle has been properly cared for in its life with you, and fill the new owner with confidence.

If you’ve made any DIY modifications to the motorhome during your ownership, think about whether the new owners could benefit from them, too. Perhaps you’ve created extra storage or adapted some of the sleeping areas? If not, it might be wise to remove them to show the van in as original state as possible.

Make sure you can advertise your motorhome as having an up-to-date MOT as this shows potential new buyers it’s got a clean bill of health. And make sure you have the V5C handy, as you’ll need this important registration document in order to confirm the sale.

Selling privately

If you’re keen to get the most money for your motorhome as you can, then selling privately is your best bet. 

Selling privately can often take a little longer because it’s up to you to drum up some interest and then agree on a price. But there are plenty of websites to list your motorhome for sale, so it doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out process if you don’t want it to be.

If you’re looking for a quick sale, make sure the pictures you take of your motorhome show it in its best light, making it look like an attractive proposition, standing out ahead of all the other motorhomes that it’s sharing page space with. But, at the same time, ensure the images tally with reality, as you don’t want buyers to have expectations that are too high.

You also need to get the asking price right, otherwise potential buyers will be put off from giving your motorhome a second look. Do some research on what other motorhomes like yours are going for, and adjust according to your vehicle’s condition, age and so on.

Part exchange

If you’ve found your dream motorhome and want it now, rather than later, part exchanging your current vehicle for your new one can expedite the upgrade.

When part exchanging your motorhome, dealers will insist that they will give you a ‘fair price’ for your vehicle, which might be the case, but remember that they will look to sell it on for a profit. So, don’t expect to get as much as you would selling it privately.

On the upside, it takes away the hassle and expense of having to list it on websites or in local newsagents. You simply hand the keys of your old motorhome over (plus a sum of money), in return for a lovely new set of wheels.

Quick tip: It may be easier to part exchange in the summer months when the dealer has a better chance of selling it on.

Selling to a dealer

If you’re holding off buying a new motorhome until you find the right one, but want the most cash you can get for your current vehicle, it could be a good idea to approach dealers while the stock is high to see if they would buy it off you.

Again, approaching dealers in the run-up to summer could be a good move, as this is when buyers are most active. You never know your luck – a buyer might’ve asked the dealer to look out for a motorhome like yours.

Alternatively, you could ask the dealer to put your motorhome on their forecourt, as part of a ‘sale or return’ agreement.

If you sell in this way then the dealer will take a commission, but in return they will take on the task of meeting potential buyers and test driving the motorhome with them. It’s a great option for those who are a little short on time.

Using a broker

Finally, you could use a broker to sell your motorhome. This is a company that will accept your motorhome onto their books and try to match it with a buyer. In other words, they will actively try to find someone who is on the lookout for a motorhome just like yours.

However, when selling your motorhome this way, you don’t get paid straight away and the motorhome can sit unsold with the broker for months.

Find a broker who has a good track record of selling motorhomes for a good price. And be careful of fraudsters posing as brokers, who will simply make off with your motorhome, never to be seen again. For this reason you should only use a broker that has a specific address where motorhomes are on display, or one that you have been recommended as genuine.

Protect your vehicle with motorhome insurance

If it’s time to upgrade your motorhome to a newer model, make sure you protect it with the right motorhome insurance. Motorhome Protect can find you the best deal for your circumstances, whether you plan on travelling the UK or further afield.

Our specialists can arrange cover for the vehicle itself as well as the contents, meaning your camping equipment can be covered, too.

Other benefits of motorhome insurance through Motorhome Protect can include:

• Unlimited mileage cover
• Introductory NCB allowed

Get a quote today.