Advice on buying a motorhome private

[barryd]

Yes twas I !
I upped mine to 121 's as with the scooter in the garage it was getting close to the load rating, and I've had 2 tyres split too on the back axle, not overloaded but on the limit. Michelin and Conti.
16" wheels on the Maxi Chassis has the bigger brakes too. Went to Van tyre for the 121's, Plenty of overkill now.

Load Index	Load (kg)
118	1320
119	1360
120	1400
121	1450

Thanks. I reckon we should be ok as if I have done my maths right we will be well within the 2400kg limit on the back with the two tyres combined loading rate of 1250kg each. The available payload on the rear axle was 700kg and even after doing the maths with the rack and bike and adding an extra 400kg (200 on the front and 200 on the back) for all our stuff it was still nowhere near the limit. I think (hope) it will be fine.

 

[Robmac]

Aye you’ll be aww excited Barry picking up yer new van.
Getting everything sorted oot, wondering will everything be ok.
Thinkin of aw the gid times we had in the auld van.
But ye ken yer daen the right thing, and ye wil huv years of fun in the new yin.

The hard part is partin wi aw that cash by simply touchin a screen, and then it aw leaves yer bank.
Enjoy the drive home, it’s a great feeling, just enjoy this new van, ye deserve it.

Roughly translated Barry I think that means congratulations.

 

[barryd]

Roughly translated Barry I think that means congratulations.

Bloody funny foreigners!

 

[TeamRienza]

Check the age of your tyres. Assuming the age of the van and the relatively low mileage is correct, the tyres may be due for replacement. Especially if it hasn't moved much in the last year or so. If you are considering changing tyres, then given your use of small grassy CLs you might want to consider the all weather types such as Michelin cross climates which seems to get good reports from users regarding grip.

Davy

 

[Rolyan57]

I know I’m late to the party, but is it worth mentioning one last mechanical thing you should check before finalising the deal (based on my own experience of very nearly being ripped off).

 

[barryd]

I know I’m late to the party, but is it worth mentioning one last mechanical thing you should check before finalising the deal (based on my own experience of very nearly being ripped off).

Yes, what is it?

 

[Fisherman]

Bloody funny foreigners!

I totally agree, bloody Johnny foreigner's

 

[barryd]

Check the age of your tyres. Assuming the age of the van and the relatively low mileage is correct, the tyres may be due for replacement. Especially if it hasn't moved much in the last year or so. If you are considering changing tyres, then given your use of small grassy CLs you might want to consider the all weather types such as Michelin cross climates which seems to get good reports from users regarding grip.

Davy

They do have M+S Written on them and look pretty grippy. They are Michelin Camping tyres. Not sure if they would be on originally. Maybe. Cant see a date on the photos though and I've not found anything in the history yet to see when they were put on.

 

[trevskoda]

Some lite rust under the axle requires attention, tyres look ok drive away and have fun.

 

[runnach]

Bloody funny foreigners!

I had to use google translate when we stopped at Costco Gateshead last week

 

[Robmac]

I had to use google translate when we stopped at Costco Gateshead last week

Did you have a beer can sandwich there Terry?

 

[barryd]

I had to use google translate when we stopped at Costco Gateshead last week

Ooooh! Really risky that. A strong possibility of running into @maingate.

 

[wildebus]

I had to use google translate when we stopped at Costco Gateshead last week

?

 

[maingate]

Did you have a beer can sandwich there Terry?

Haad ya wisht man nowt wrang wi the way wor folk taalk doon here.

 

[Robmac]

Haad ya wisht man nowt wrang wi the way wor folk taalk doon here.

I knew you'd be along soon Jim!

 

[Rolyan57]

I know I’m late to the party, but is it worth mentioning one last mechanical thing you should check before finalising the deal (based on my own experience of very nearly being ripped off).

Yes, what is it?

I went to inspect a campervan a few years ago (Peugeot boxer, so different to yours). Seemed great, paperwork in order, everything looked sound inside, he appeared very trustworthy, drove well on the test drive, but…

That evening I was reading through a forum, and by total chance came across a series of posts by the seller, about the van, asking for help. When he bought it, the van often wouldnt start after it had run and warmed up then switched off. So petrol stations etc. It had to be left to cool down, before it would start. He also went on to say that the previous owner had suffered the same, never fixed it and had put up with it.

None of this had been mentioned, so I walked.

The likelihood of this happening here is very low. But I thought I would mention it. It’s certainly something I’ll check on all future purchases.

 

[barryd]

I went to inspect a campervan a few years ago (Peugeot boxer, so different to yours). Seemed great, paperwork in order, everything looked sound inside, he appeared very trustworthy, drove well on the test drive, but…

That evening I was reading through a forum, and by total chance came across a series of posts by the seller, about the van, asking for help. When he bought it, the van often wouldnt start after it had run and warmed up then switched off. So petrol stations etc. It had to be left to cool down, before it would start. He also went on to say that the previous owner had suffered the same, never fixed it and had put up with it.

None of this had been mentioned, so I walked.

The likelihood of this happening here is very low. But I thought I would mention it. It’s certainly something I’ll check on all future purchases.

Thanks. Yep its a gamble. I would have preferred a dealer sale but then again I bought my first van private way back in 2008 and did alright. Back then I saved about £5k off a forecourt price and this time perhaps as much as £10k. I think we have done about as much due diligence as possible as I think has been remarked upon on this thread.

Ill never be sure what the true story is with the seller but we both had a gut feeling that he was straight up. It turns out that he knows our motorhome repair guy, they met up and he gave the van the once over, its also got a history with the same garage we take ours to now, Ive paid for the various checks and they all come back with big green ticks but of course there could be something still awry somewhere. The main issue is that there simply is not another van of this make and model for sale anywhere else right now. Well there is one thats been adopted for wheelchair access right at the other end of the country. It ticks just about every box I have with the biggest one of them all the payload for our number 1 requirement, the rack and scooter. I pretty much had to have it. Fingers crossed it all works out.

 

[Rolyan57]

Thanks. Yep its a gamble. I would have preferred a dealer sale but then again I bought my first van private way back in 2008 and did alright. Back then I saved about £5k off a forecourt price and this time perhaps as much as £10k. I think we have done about as much due diligence as possible as I think has been remarked upon on this thread.

Ill never be sure what the true story is with the seller but we both had a gut feeling that he was straight up. It turns out that he knows our motorhome repair guy, they met up and he gave the van the once over, its also got a history with the same garage we take ours to now, Ive paid for the various checks and they all come back with big green ticks but of course there could be something still awry somewhere. The main issue is that there simply is not another van of this make and model for sale anywhere else right now. Well there is one thats been adopted for wheelchair access right at the other end of the country. It ticks just about every box I have with the biggest one of them all the payload for our number 1 requirement, the rack and scooter. I pretty much had to have it. Fingers crossed it all works out.

I think you’ve done everything you could, including involving your garage. I would be confident if it was me

 

[wildebus]

I think you’ve done everything you could, including involving your garage. I would be confident if it was me

I bought my Motohome privately in 2020.
If you were to ask me if I would do it again that way, I would yes, and I trust the SELLER more than the Garage I used to do various work on it!
I would buy from the same seller again no problem. I use a different garage now.

 

[barryd]

To be honest my experience of dealing with dealers has not been good. I think its partly because its been a sellers market. This chap however has done everything I asked for and believe me I ask for a lot! No bother going to the weighbridge or taking it to my motorhome guy, even a test drive where I reckon I was only 3rd party insured. Could be he was desperate to sell of course.