Bailey caravans can be great used buys. Why? Because seven years ago, Bailey unveiled its damp-resistant Alu-Tech construction system, which opened the floodgates of other techniques from competitors.

The first entrant in the race was the Pegasus range, followed a few months later by the Olympus. Check out these and other secondhand Bailey caravans for sale.

Here we are focusing on the Bailey Olympus. The seven layouts in 2010’s line-up ride on Al-Ko chassis with AKS stabilisers and the ATC anti-snaking system. Aside from the timber-free frame, the exterior panels are all of a composite material, and the wall panels inside are pure-white GRP.

These tourers further differed from most rivals by having compact front gas lockers and smaller ones towards the front on both sides, which stole space from the bed boxes. The grabhandles have embedded LEDs that light up in transit.

The specification is aspirational, including alloy wheels, a spare wheel, blown-air heating, an aerial and radio/CD player, and a full complement of kitchen appliances. It had to be well-equipped to meet the standard set by the much-loved Pageant range, which it replaced.

However, the Olympus décor is minimalist. Our example here is the 504, whose nearside dinette can be converted into a double bed and left set up if the van is used by a couple.

Abutting it is the end washroom. However, although it is full-width, it compromises on floor space and the size of the shower.

The floorplan is spacious in other ways, despite the 2.19m width. This has the positive side-effect of dropping the MTPLM below 1500kg to put it within the towing capabilities of family cars.

Model history

The Bailey Olympus was designed to replace the Pageant Series 7 and to compete with the Swift Charisma and Lunar Quasar line-ups. However, its interiors didn’t set the world on fire. The look was revamped to create a luxurious feel for 2011, and the 504 was dropped.

Still, the 2010 Olympus was widely perceived as a major development for Bailey and heralded a new era for the brand. The Olympus range was dropped in 2013, but today the tourers are turning up on pre-owned forecourts at tempting prices.

Buyer’s checklist

  • Inspect the floor for water ingress
  • Ensure the front LED grabhandle lights work
  • Be certain the inlay trim is not missing from the ABS panels
  • Test the locker catches to make sure they’re correctly adjusted
  • The furniture edging may peel
  • Check the front panel for stone-chips
  • Try out the microwave oven
  • Decals are susceptible to peeling and fading
       

What to pay?

To get a summary of the 2010 Bailey Olympus range, see the second image in our carousel.

Prices range from £8995 for the two-berth 462 to £11,995 for the twin-axle 624. The 504 shown is priced at £10,999, and most won’t be less than £10,495 from dealers.

Private sellers may ask for as little as £9495, but be sure to check the service history.

Alternatives

  • We saw a 2010 Sterling Europa 545, with the same layout as the Olympus 504 but more spec, for £10,995.
  • A 2012 Swift Challenger Sport 544 offers a better specification and more modern looks for £11,295.
      

Verdict

The 2010 Bailey Olympus may not be the most stylish tourer on used forecourts and its interiors can feel spartan, but it makes a reasonable buy at the right price. The five- and six-berth layouts are popular, but be aware that their prices do not drop much because they offer good value for family buyers.

Factfile

Some details on the featured 2010 Bailey Olympus 504:

  • Price: £10,999
  • Berths: 4
  • MiRO: 1224kg
  • Payload: 216kg
  • MTPLM: 1440kg
  • Internal length: 5.67m
  • Width: 2.19m
  • Seen at: Leisure Sales (Cheshire) Ltd, Brereton Green, Sandbach, Cheshire, CW11 1SD (call 01477 535 264 or go online)