Selling my motorhome?

[barryd]

Just been discussing this with Michelle. We are in two minds. Ive wanted a newer van for years now and last year we managed just 17 nights away at Flamborough head and that was it. Covid, crap weather in August and it being busier than we would have liked had us heading home after just two and a half weeks. Our trips normally were to mainland Europe for anything from four to six months. The van is a 1996 Swift Kontiki 640 six berth which we will have had 13 years this spring.

There are several things I am considering. My mobility right now is so bad I dont think I could do a long European trip anyway. I reckon restrictions will be in place in one form or another all this year again, the van is getting on a bit and Im not keen to take it into Europe anymore even if there were no restrictions so my thoughts were to get a few jobs doing that need doing to the van, maybe take it for an early spring trip over to Flamborough again or possibly up to the Isle of Arran for a few weeks if restrictions allow and then sell it early summer. It wont bother me if we never had a trip this year but I think it will bother Michelle otherwise I might have put it on the market around March time.

I will put off buying the newer van until next winter or early next year when I "hope" prices have come back down and more importantly more choice. (maybe they will maybe they wont).

A few things I dont know.

I have no idea really what its worth. Its well kitted out with solar, Camos Dome, Gaslow, Armitage Scooter rack (might even sell the scooter) and its in good dry condition inside for the age but a bit faded and tatty outside in places. about 86000 miles I think. 2.5td. Is it worth taking the Dome off and migrating it to the new van? Its also about 12 years old now. still works though.

What will it be worth in this current climate?

Where would you advertise?

I also have concerns about viewings if we are still restricted. I guess I would have to just let people look around it on their own due to social distancing etc and a test drive might not be possible.

All just at discussion level at the moment but any ideas or thoughts welcome.

The van has its own website, not updated for years but it gives you and any buyer an idea of what it is.

Adventures in Hank the Tank

 

[mjvw]

My concerns are around buy new nearly new are diesel restrictions in the future cost tax etc, also my current MH 95 plate stand me a nothing and is holding its price so I will hang in. The Swift Kontiki 640 could become a classic.
But its your call love the use of google sites.

 

[barryd]

Surely a newer van will have less emissions restrictions on it than my Kontiki which every time you start it up from cold a hundred Polar Bears snuff it!

I tried to get a Crit Air certificate for it a couple of years ago and it was unclassified!

I wouldnt be buying new or even nearly new. Probably 7 to 10 years old, budget £30-40k.

 

[antiquesam]

My '95 Herald Templar was planned to last two years when I bought it nine years ago. You know the story. Retire and get a van to get the dream out of the system. The blasted thing keeps passing its MOT, and looking around it seems to have appreciated in price. I know its quirks and problems so why buy someone else's problems?

 

[2cv]

I think that in the current market you may be surprised at how much your van sells for. Of course the downside is that the replacement will also have a high price compared to maybe a couple of years ago. My van was built 9 years ago and I’ve recently seen similar for very close to what I paid new.

 

[trevskoda]

Just remember that a new van will be full of electronic wiz crap and emission things which go wrong and cost squillions to fix.

 

[mark61]

Just remember that a new van will be full of electronic wiz crap and emission things which go wrong and cost squillions to fix.

Could or can go wrong.
Between work vans and campers covered many miles with euro 5 & 6 vehicles.
Electronic wiz crap expenses have been virtually zero.
Can't cover the miles fast enough to keep up with emission zones these days.

 

[trevskoda]

Could or can go wrong.
Between work vans and campers covered many miles with euro 5 & 6 vehicles.
Electronic wiz crap expenses have been virtually zero.
Can't cover the miles fast enough to keep up with emission zones these days.

Vans here travel very short distances and the ex cleaning crap packs in, merk filter costs over a grand, not for me thank you.

 

[barryd]

I think I kind of lost a bit of confidence in the van. Which is odd as mechanically its rarely let me down. Daft things like punctures, exhaust falling off, fan belt snapping etc that required breakdown assistance but the kind of trips we do involve a lot of trips over the Alps, Pyrenees etc and I just wonder how long will an old van thats 24 years old cart us, a scooter and all our stuff on such lengthy and demanding trips before something catastrophic goes wrong? Its probably psychological.

Its been the perfect van for us and I know every inch of it, every groan, noise, quirk, its like an old pair of comfy gloves. Ill probably be heartbroken to see it go. I just wondered if this year would be the right time if its hardly going to get used again and then maybe just maybe in the next year or so ill pick up the right replacement.

Half the reason I stuck with it so long is its been impossible to find a replacement with a rear lounge and enough payload to take the scooter. There are really only two or three alternatives and they are like hens teeth right now.

 

[Nabsim]

Anyone who is thinking of selling a motorhome would be best doing so now due to high resale prices. I believe all estimated production is already sold in advanced orders so it could be a while before prices drop to pre covid levels. This means you will probably pat high for next van unless you leave it for a couple of years. You can always buy a caravan though. less money and lots of space then get rid and go back to a van when prices stabilise

 

[Robmac]

I reckon it's worth a couple of grand Barry.

In fact as a favour I will offer you that right now, it will save you all the hassle of test drives etc. I'm good like that.

Just part of my good nature, you can buy me a few pints if you like by way of thanks.

 

[Tookey]

I think I kind of lost a bit of confidence in the van. Which is odd as mechanically its rarely let me down. Daft things like punctures, exhaust falling off, fan belt snapping etc that required breakdown assistance but the kind of trips we do involve a lot of trips over the Alps, Pyrenees etc and I just wonder how long will an old van thats 24 years old cart us, a scooter and all our stuff on such lengthy and demanding trips before something catastrophic goes wrong? Its probably psychological.

Its been the perfect van for us and I know every inch of it, every groan, noise, quirk, its like an old pair of comfy gloves. Ill probably be heartbroken to see it go. I just wondered if this year would be the right time if its hardly going to get used again and then maybe just maybe in the next year or so ill pick up the right replacement.

Half the reason I stuck with it so long is its been impossible to find a replacement with a rear lounge and enough payload to take the scooter. There are really only two or three alternatives and they are like hens teeth right now.

The only thing I can offer is there is a lot of 'value' as such in knowing every inch of your van and I say this as someone currently learning a new one, its possibly a tad more stressful than you remember.

If it ain't broke don't fix it

 

[barryd]

This is what happen every time I start a thread about getting a new van. I get persuaded to keep the flaming thing!!

Actually if I do sell early on. The caravan idea is not a bad one. Maybe get a seasonal pitch for the summer and then just flog it when I finally get a new van. I dont have a suitable tow car of course. Actually, its probably a load of extra hassle.

I think its something we need to ponder over a bit longer. A lot of it will depend on what happens with the pandemic of course. It cant be doing it much good just sitting on the drive month in month out not doing much though.

 

[mark61]

Do it!

Very few things better than finding yourself around a new van, not that I've done it that many times though, and I've never bought a MH just vans to convert. Thats exciting enough for me.

 

[Tookey]

In reply to your question about value which is probably very debatable due to present demand, why dont you use Ebay auction with the minimum set at what you want for it rather than trying to determine it's worth if you get what I mean. Anything you get above that can be considered a bonus

 

[barryd]

In reply to your question about value which is probably very debatable due to present demand, why dont you use Ebay auction with the minimum set at what you want for it rather than trying to determine it's worth if you get what I mean. Anything you get above that can be considered a bonus

Thanks. Thats an idea. I haven't got that far yet. A lot of motorhomes seem to be classified ads. I wonder if its cheaper than an auction. Not sure what percentage Ebay take but I know its a fair chunk for low priced stuff around 10-15% I think.

 

[molly 2]

Always a tuff call to sell a reliable older van .but how long will it be before it becomes a money pit, tuff call

 

[jagmanx]

If you are struggling to do long trips why sell to buy another ?
Ok for longer trips abroad a newer vehicle may be better.
Maybe sell now at a good price and buy again in 2022 or 20023 when travelling might be fun again !
If you are only planning UK easy enough to manage fixes and or get home !
Too busy gradually drop some of your clients...ahead !

 

[suneye]

If you are going to sell an old motorhome now is the time to do it! Wait for the weather to warm up a little and people will be queuing up to buy older vans within their holiday budget. I sold a 10 year old kayak last summer for what i'd paid for it, not the same thing I know but people are looking for things to do in the country. Then as someone else said wait a year and buy, or hire one when you want to get away. I know it is expensive to hire but how many holidays could you get out of 30k. Also 30k would get you an awesome self build (or pay someone to build it for you) if you started with a eco friendly base vehicle. Our (not eco) self build cost 5k all in and we have something very comfortable.

 

[barryd]

If you are struggling to do long trips why sell to buy another ?
Ok for longer trips abroad a newer vehicle may be better.
Maybe sell now at a good price and buy again in 2022 or 20023 when travelling might be fun again !
If you are only planning UK easy enough to manage fixes and or get home !
Too busy gradually drop some of your clients...ahead !

I couldnt do a long trip right now because my knees are now so bad it would just become incredibly tiresome and difficult, plus I cant walk around anywhere. The saving grace is the scooter as it gets us about so I do enjoy that more than anything but touring involves a hell of a lot of getting in and out, filling up and emptying, and lots of stuff on your feet that you wont notice if you dont have knee problems. Going static like we have been doing in one spot is a lot easier. I am hoping to lose weight and then eventually get new knees but how far away that will be I have no idea. Everything has gone to pot with Covid sadly and my knees wont be a priority for the NHS and private would blow the motorhome budget!

So I guess I was thinking of maybe a short trip this year in the UK, sell the van and get my health sorted, get covid behind us and then perhaps buy another one. If prices have gone down its a bonus if not then so be it. Its just possible we wont get away anyway this year and the van will sit unused for another year if I dont sell it..

Tough decisions.