How to prepare your campervan for sale

It’s always a bittersweet moment when you decide it’s time to sell your campervan. For all the memories it has provided you, the money from its sale could help you buy a newer and, dare we say, better vehicle.

The amount of money that you make from selling your camper depends on a number of factors – some of which are out of your control, such as market demand, but others that you can manage, like the condition of your vehicle and where you advertise it.

Maximise your return and you’ll have more to spend on a new campervan.

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

In this article, we’ll offer up some tips on how to prepare your campervan for sale so that it can achieve its full second-hand value. We’ll also outline the different ways you can go about selling your van, again with a view to getting as much money for it as possible.

 

Preparing your campervan for sale

Just like any asset you’re looking to sell, you need to weigh up whether it’s worth spending any more on your campervan – for example, carrying out any minor repairs – in order to increase its value.

However, be cautious of investing too much time and money into your campervan if you won’t be able to reclaim it back – and then some – in the sale of the vehicle.

What doesn’t cost too much money is the cleaning of your campervan – provided that you’re prepared to do it yourself, of course.

You should give your campervan a deep clean inside and out, making sure all rubbish is removed and all the tools and extras that come with it are cleaned and packed away.

Wipe down all trim, vacuum every speck of dirt, disinfect all the knobs, benches, walls and equipment. Sugar soap, dishwashing detergent and vinegar are good go-to cleaning products that are fairly inexpensive.

What this does is project a picture of your campervan having been cared for in its life with you, and it will – hopefully – fill the new owner with confidence.

Topping up the engine oil and water pots also shows you have maintained the vehicle.

If you’ve made any DIY modifications to the campervan during your ownership, consider whether the new owners would find them useful, too.

Perhaps you’ve created extra storage or added in a dining table? If you think the new additions could put somebody off for whatever reason – perhaps the table makes the van look smaller, for instance – it’s probably a good idea to remove them to show the van as a ‘blank canvas’ and in its original state.

Make sure you can advertise your campervan 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 campervan as you can, then selling privately is your best bet.  

Selling privately often demands a little more patience as it can take longer than if you were to sell to a dealer.

The onus is on you to drum up some interest and then agree on a price. But there are plenty of websites on which you can list your campervan for sale, so if you’ve prepared your vehicle as best you can, there’s a chance it will be sold fairly quickly.

If you’re looking for a fast sale, ensure the pictures you take of your campervan show it in its best light, making it look like an attractive proposition.

But, at the same time, it’s important that the images tally with reality, as you don’t want buyers to be disappointed when they come to view it in the flesh.

You also need to think long and hard about the asking price. Pitch it too low and you’ll do yourself out of some money; too high and it will put buyers off coming to give it a closer inspection.

It pays to do some research on what other campervans like yours are going for, and adjust according to your vehicle’s condition, age and so on.

Taking your campervan to local shows may well bag you a sale if you’re not keen on using the internet, with lots of camper enthusiasts in one place.

 

Selling to a dealer

If you’re holding off buying a new campervan 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 from you.

Approaching dealers in the run-up to summer could be a sensible move, as this is when more buyers are on the lookout for a van that ticks their boxes.

You never know your luck – a buyer might have just asked the dealer to look out for a campervan like yours.

Alternatively, you could ask the dealer to put your campervan on their forecourt, as part of a ‘sale or return’ agreement, whereby the dealer will take a commission in return for doing the legwork to sell your vehicle.

Or, 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.

Sure, you won’t get as much for your campervan as you would selling it privately, but it’s less hassle and you’ll have the keys to a new set of wheels within a few hours.

 

Protect yourself with campervan insurance

Once you’ve bought your new van, don’t forget to arrange that all-important piece of the puzzle: campervan insurance.

Getting the right kind of coverage means you can get on with all your travel adventures knowing you're protected in the case of the unexpected.

We can provide a range of quotes on specialist campervan insurance that could provide the following possible benefits*:

• Cover for up to 365 days a year which can include foreign use
• Cover for your Campervan whilst you are converting it
• Enhanced cover for personal effects
• Panel of leading Campervan insurers
• Unlimited EU cover
• Up to £3,500 of cover for your camping personal effects
• Up to six months cover to complete a self-build conversion
• Value up to £150,000

Get a quote from Motorhome Protect today so you can hit the road whatever the weather.

*All features and benefits are subject to eligibility and underwriting criteria