Buying a used tourer privately can be a great way to find
a genuine bargain. Unlike
dealers, private sellers usually don't need to make a profit from their van; they're just pleased to make a sale, or to see their old van go to a good home. What's more, if you know exactly what you're looking for, an accurate private ad can save you
travelling from one dealership to the next, or ringing round to find out if your perfect tourer is on the forecourt.
The drawback is that buying a used tourer from a private seller has its risks. For one thing, you'll need to be sure the van isn't stolen. Then you'll need to be sure it's in good condition, and to bear in mind that you won't get a warranty – so if something goes wrong the seller isn't legally obliged to do anything about it. Caravans bought privately are ‘sold as seen', which means there is no comeback if anything goes wrong. But if you follow our guide on what to look for and the right questions to ask, you could bag yourself a great
bargain that will give you
nothing but enjoyment.
1 HOME TRUTHS
Ensure that you view the van at the seller's home. Never agree to meet him in a car park or let him bring the van to you. Going to his home means that he's told you where he lives, so it's unlikely he'll try and pass on a stolen van. To be completely sure the house is his, ask to borrow something from inside, such as paper and a pen. Go armed with overalls, a groundsheet to lie on, and a good torch with which to make your own inspection.
2 OWNER'S MANUAL
Ask to see the van's owner's manual. It will tell you such things as tyre sizes and pressures. If the seller can produce the manual it's a sign that he has looked after the van during the time he's owned it.
4 SERVICE HISTORY
Ask for the van's service history. If the owner has cared for the caravan properly, he'll have records to prove he has done so. If he can't provide the
information, it could be the case that no matter how good the van appears to be, it
actually needs extensive maintenance.
5 CHECK THE BRAKES
Go under the van and inspect the brake rod linkages, the brake cables and the steady screws for lack of lubrication. Similarly, look under the
over-run mechanism at the
A-frame. The grease nipple here is often overlooked by
caravanners who do their own greasing.
6 TEST THE GAS STRUT
Push the hitch in. It should resist and some pressure should be needed to push it in fully. Similarly, it should slowly extend again. If it doesn't,
the gas strut could be worn out and will need to
be replaced.
7 IS THE BREAK-AWAY CABLE DAMAGED?
Inspect the break-away cable for damage. Its purpose is to apply the brakes if the van becomes detached from the vehicle during towing. It is therefore a safety-critical item But if it is damaged, don't
walk away – it costs only around £5 to replace.
8 IS THE OUTSIDE SOUND?
Look over the exterior, including awning channels, for any dents. Also inspect the condition of the mastic. Any damage
will need to be repaired, which could prove costly.
9 EXAMINE THE ROOF
Ask for steps to check the roof (including the rooflights and the mastic sealing them). If the seller says he hasn't any steps ask how he manages to clean the roof. You want to
be sure that the roof is free from damage from hailstones, tree branches or dents due to someone leaning too heavily on it.
10 TRY OUT THE STEADIES
Wind the steadies up and down. If there is damage or neglect, this is likely to show in resistance during winding: they might not completely retract. If it is a case of lack of lubrication it should be easy to rectify. But also check underneath the van. If the steady screws are bent or there are other signs of damage, this could be a job for an NCC-Approved Workshop – and it could
turn out to be quite expensive.
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