Bessacarr is a premium British motorhome brand with roots stretching back to 1957, now manufactured by the Swift Group — the UK's largest leisure vehicle manufacturer. Originally a standalone caravan company named after a village near Doncaster, Bessacarr was acquired by Swift in 1996 and relaunched as a motorhome brand in 1997.

Bessacarr motorhomes have always been positioned as Swift's more luxurious offering, featuring higher-specification interiors, upgraded soft furnishings, enhanced insulation and premium fixtures compared to the standard Swift ranges. They are built on the Fiat Ducato chassis and share Swift's innovative SMART construction — a timberless, fully bonded bodyshell using GRP panels that resists damp and carries a 10-year bodyshell integrity warranty.

The range has included well-known model series such as the E400 (compact two-berth), E500 (mid-range), E600/E700 (larger family layouts) and the later 500/599 series. Popular models include the E560 with its fixed rear bed and the 599 with its island bed layout. These are coachbuilt low-profile motorhomes that offer spacious living areas, well-equipped kitchens and practical washrooms.

While the Bessacarr name is now used within the broader Swift family rather than as a fully independent brand, it remains a respected name in the UK motorhome market. Used Bessacarrs from any era are readily available and represent good value, particularly the 2006–2017 E400 series which offers a proven, reliable platform.

The Bessacarr name originates from a village near Doncaster, where founder Albert Skepper was born. He named one of his caravan models after his home village, and the brand stuck. The Arnold Laver Group bought the company in 1957 and formed Bessacarr Caravans, which traded successfully for decades.

In the mid-1990s, Bessacarr was put up for sale and was acquired by the Swift Group in 1996. Swift invested £3 million in new machinery and design systems and launched Bessacarr Motorhomes in 1997, using the brand as their premium, upmarket range.

In 2008 Swift streamlined their caravan lines and dropped the standalone Bessacarr caravan range, though the motorhome line continued. By 2018, the Bessacarr range was fully integrated under the Swift umbrella as 'Swift Bessacarr', positioned as the more luxurious alternative to the standard Swift Escape and Kon-Tiki ranges. The Bessacarr name continues to carry weight in the used market, where it is recognised as offering a step up from standard Swift specification.

Premium specification over standard Swift — Bessacarr motorhomes have always offered a step up from the base Swift range, with upgraded upholstery, better fixtures, enhanced insulation and more refined interior design at a modest price premium.

SMART construction with 10-year warranty — built using Swift's timberless SMART bodyshell technology with full GRP panels, providing excellent resistance to damp and a 10-year structural integrity guarantee.

Comfortable, practical layouts — models like the E560 and 599 are praised for their well-thought-out floorplans with proper fixed beds, spacious washrooms, and generous kitchen facilities that make extended touring comfortable.

Alde heating on later models — the wet central heating system fitted to later Bessacarrs is widely regarded as one of the best motorhome heating systems available, providing even, quiet warmth throughout the vehicle — ideal for cold-weather touring.

Good value in the used market — because they share Swift's mass-production efficiency but with better specification, used Bessacarrs offer excellent value compared to hand-built rivals like Auto-Sleepers or Hymer.

If you want more luxury than a standard Swift without the premium brand price tag — Bessacarr gives you upgraded specification, better soft furnishings and a more refined feel compared to a Swift Escape, for only a modest uplift in price.

If you're buying used and want proven reliability — the E400 and E500 series have been on the market for over a decade, so common issues are well-documented and parts are readily available. A well-maintained Bessacarr from this era is a solid, dependable touring vehicle.

If SMART construction matters to you — the timberless bodyshell with 10-year warranty provides genuine peace of mind against the biggest motorhome killer: damp. This is a significant advantage over older timber-framed construction.

If you tour in winter — later models with Alde wet central heating offer outstanding cold-weather performance, making a Bessacarr a genuine four-season tourer.

If you want strong UK dealer support — as part of the Swift Group, Bessacarr benefits from one of the widest dealer and service networks in the UK, with parts availability and technical knowledge readily accessible.

Insulation can be poor on older models — pre-SMART construction Bessacarrs, particularly those from the early 2000s, can suffer from inadequate insulation. Owners have reported cold floors and difficulty maintaining warmth in winter conditions.

Not a truly independent brand — since 2018, Bessacarr is essentially a trim level within the Swift range rather than a distinct manufacturer. Some buyers feel this dilutes the brand's identity and premium positioning.

Mixed build quality reports — while many owners are very happy, others have reported issues with workmanship including loose fittings, minor water ingress around seals, and quality control inconsistencies. This is a common criticism across mass-produced motorhomes.

Floor rot risk on 2005–2008 models — a well-documented issue across Swift Group vehicles of this era, where the floor construction was prone to moisture damage from underneath. Swift addressed many cases in and out of warranty, but some remain unresolved.

Fiat Ducato base vehicle quirks — early X250 Ducatos (2007–2010) had known issues including clutch judder and fifth-gear dropout. Later vehicles largely resolved these, but it's worth checking on any used purchase from this period.

Damp check is essential — water ingress is the number one concern with any used Bessacarr. Insist on a thorough damp meter reading across all walls, ceiling and floor. Pay particular attention to window seals, roof joints and the area around the overcab on coachbuilt models.

Check the floor thoroughly — on 2005–2008 models, the floor construction is a known weak point. Press firmly across the entire floor feeling for soft spots, and check underneath if possible for signs of delamination or rot.

Inspect the Fiat Ducato base carefully — test the clutch for judder (especially 2007–2010 models), check the gearbox engages all gears smoothly, and listen for any unusual noises. Verify cam belt replacement history as this is a critical maintenance item.

Test the Alde heating system (if fitted) — run it up to temperature and check every radiator for even heat. Alde systems are excellent when working but expensive to repair if components fail. Check the coolant level and look for leaks.

Verify the SMART construction warranty — if the vehicle has SMART construction, check whether the 10-year bodyshell warranty is still valid and whether all required annual habitation checks have been completed (a condition of the warranty).

Examine all seals and sealant — check around windows, roof lights, external lockers and any body panel joints. Cracked or deteriorated sealant is an early warning sign of potential water ingress.

Test all appliances and systems — run the fridge on gas and electric, test the hob, oven, water heater, space heating, water pump and all 12V/240V electrics. Check the leisure battery age and condition.

When buying a used Bessacarr, look for a dealer offering an independent warranty backed by an established provider like the RAC. Because Bessacarrs share Swift Group components and construction, parts availability is excellent — but repair costs on coachbuilt motorhomes can still be significant, making warranty cover an important safety net.

If the vehicle is still within its SMART construction 10-year warranty, verify that all annual habitation checks have been completed as required — missing even one can void the bodyshell warranty. A dealer-backed warranty that covers both the base vehicle and habitation equipment provides the most comprehensive protection.

OakTree Motorhomes offer up to three years of RAC-backed warranty on their used stock, which provides valuable peace of mind especially on premium brands like Bessacarr where component replacement costs can be higher than average.

When buying a used Bessacarr, 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.