Auto-Sleepers is one of Britain's most iconic and longest-running motorhome manufacturers, with over 60 years of continuous production from their factory in Willersey, near Broadway in the Cotswolds. Founded in 1961 by the Trevelyan family, the brand has become synonymous with quality British craftsmanship, luxury interiors and outstanding attention to detail.

The company builds on the Peugeot Boxer, Fiat Ducato, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and AL-KO chassis platforms, producing everything from compact van conversions ideal for everyday driving through to spacious coachbuilt motorhomes designed for extended touring. Early vehicles were based on Commer, Bedford and Ford Transit vans with the trademark solid-sided elevating roof and hand-crafted light oak furniture.

A defining moment in Auto-Sleepers' history was the introduction of the monocoque body shell, styled by the late William Towns — the designer behind the Aston Martin Lagonda. Models like the Clubman, Executive, Talisman and Legend featured this distinctive reinforced glass-fibre construction, which set new standards for structural integrity and damp resistance.

Today's range spans van conversions (Symbol, Warwick, Fairford, Kingham), Fiat/Peugeot coachbuilts (Broadway, Nuevo), AL-KO coachbuilts (Corinium) and premium Mercedes coachbuilts (Bourton, Burford). Every model carries Grade III winter certification as standard, and the 2025 range introduced endless hot water as standard across the board.

Auto-Sleepers was founded in 1961 by the Trevelyan family in the Cotswolds, after they converted a Morris Commercial J2 van into a motorhome for a family holiday to the South of France. On their return they converted an Austin van, which attracted five orders from Henlys of Bristol — and a business was born.

The Trevelyan family ran the company for over three decades from the factory in Willersey, Worcestershire before selling in 1997 to Steven Riley and Bill Cook. In 2000 the business passed to Ian Capes and Stuart Johnson's Marquis company. In 2005, the Italian SEA Group acquired Marquis. In 2009, directors Geoff Scott and Mike Crouch bought back 100% of the shares, briefly returning Auto-Sleepers to British private ownership.

Today, Auto-Sleepers sits within the Trigano Group, one of Europe's largest leisure vehicle manufacturers. Trigano also owns Auto-Trail and distributes Adria, Benimar and Chausson in the UK. Despite corporate ownership, manufacturing remains at the original Cotswolds site in Willersey, Worcestershire, where every motorhome is still hand-built by a skilled local workforce.

Hand-built British craftsmanship — every motorhome is assembled by hand at the Cotswolds factory, with meticulous attention to detail in furniture, fittings and finish that sets Auto-Sleepers apart from mass-produced rivals.

Exceptional build quality and longevity — Auto-Sleepers consistently rank among the best-built British motorhomes. Older monocoque-shell models in particular are renowned for going strong decades after leaving the factory, with minimal damp issues thanks to the one-piece body construction.

Outstanding resale value — an Auto-Sleeper holds its value better than the average motorhome, which already depreciates far more slowly than a car. Used Auto-Sleepers are in constant demand on the second-hand market and rarely sit unsold for long.

Grade III winter certification — all current models, including van conversions, are certified for cold-weather use, making them genuine year-round touring vehicles with double-glazed windows and efficient heating systems.

Design heritage — the monocoque body conceived by William Towns of Aston Martin fame remains a landmark in motorhome design, and Auto-Sleepers' interior styling continues to reflect a distinctly premium British aesthetic.

If you value build quality above all else — Auto-Sleepers are widely regarded as offering the best build quality of any British motorhome manufacturer. The hand-crafted furniture, high-quality fittings and attention to detail make every model feel a cut above the competition.

If you want a motorhome that holds its value — Auto-Sleepers depreciate more slowly than most rivals. If you buy wisely, the loss over several years of ownership can be remarkably small, making an Auto-Sleeper one of the most financially sensible choices in the motorhome market.

If you're looking for a compact daily driver — the van conversion range (Symbol, Warwick, Fairford) are sized to fit in a normal parking space and can be used as everyday transport as well as a touring vehicle, all on a standard car licence.

If you tour in all seasons — with Grade III winter certification, ALDE wet heating on Mercedes models and Truma CombiNeo across the Fiat range, Auto-Sleepers are designed for genuine year-round use including cold-weather touring in Scotland and Scandinavia.

If brand heritage matters to you — with over 60 years of continuous production and a dedicated owners' club (ASOF), Auto-Sleepers has one of the strongest communities and support networks in British motorhoming.

Premium pricing — Auto-Sleepers sit at the higher end of the British motorhome market. You pay more upfront, though the strong resale value offsets this over time. Budget-conscious buyers may find better value from brands like Elddis or Bailey.

Compact interior space — the emphasis on build quality and luxury fittings means the internal layouts can feel smaller than similarly-sized rivals. For extended trips with more than two people, some owners find the space a squeeze.

Limited dealer network compared to larger groups — while Marquis (owned by Trigano) is the primary dealer, the network is smaller than that of Swift or Bailey, which can mean longer journeys for servicing in some parts of the UK.

Some cost-cutting in newer models — long-standing owners note that, like much of the industry, recent models have seen some cost-engineering. Older owners occasionally miss features like inboard water pumps, and some feel floor insulation could be better.

Van conversions can feel cramped for taller owners — panel van conversions, while agile and practical, have lower headroom and narrower bodies than coachbuilt alternatives, which may not suit everyone.

Damp is the number one concern — water ingress is the single most common and expensive problem with any used motorhome, and Auto-Sleepers are no exception. Thoroughly inspect around all windows, seams, the roof line and behind furniture. Use a damp meter and pay close attention to musty smells — you can often smell damp before you see it. The windscreen area and the seal behind the bulkhead are particular hotspots.

Check the monocoque shell carefully on older models — the glass-fibre monocoque body is generally excellent at keeping water out, but inspect for stress cracks in the gel coat, particularly around mounting points. Repairs are specialist work.

Examine the habitation door electrics — earlier models have spring-loaded contacts that can fail, while later models use hard-wired electrics entering via the bottom hinge. Test the step light, interior light switch and any central locking functions.

Look for corrosion on older Transit-based models — pre-2010 Ford Transit-based Auto-Sleepers can suffer from rust in the cab step-wells, bottoms of doors and around wheel arches. Lift any mats and check thoroughly.

Verify the full service history — insist on seeing all service records, MOT history and habitation check certificates. Any gaps in the paperwork should prompt extra caution. Manufacturer-approved servicing carries more weight.

Test all appliances — run the fridge on both gas and electric, light the hob, test the hot water heater, check the heating system and run all taps. Replacing motorhome appliances is expensive, so confirm everything works before you commit.

Water pump and plumbing — turn on the water pump and check every tap. A common issue is the pump running but failing to prime, often caused by the tank running dry or a failing pump. Check for leaks under the sink and around the water heater.

Test drive thoroughly — listen for unusual noises, rattles from the habitation area, and ensure the driving position is comfortable. Check the clutch, gearbox and brakes carefully.

When buying a used Auto-Sleeper, consider purchasing from a dealer that offers an independent warranty backed by an established provider like the RAC. This means your warranty remains valid even if the dealer ceases trading — an important consideration given the consolidation happening across the motorhome industry.

A three-year warranty typically covers the average ownership period and provides comprehensive peace of mind for your investment. OakTree Motorhomes offer up to three years of RAC-backed warranty on their used stock, which is particularly valuable on a premium brand like Auto-Sleepers where repair costs can be higher than average.

Be aware that Auto-Sleepers' own factory warranty only applies to the first owner of a new vehicle. For used purchases, any remaining factory warranty may not transfer, making a dealer-backed independent warranty all the more important.

When buying a used Auto-Sleepers, look for a dealer that offers an independent warranty backed by a provider like the RAC. This means your warranty remains valid even if the dealer ceases trading. OakTree Motorhomes offer up to three years of RAC-backed warranty, covering the average ownership period.