Buy a used Coachman and you’re buying quality, style and brilliant design. This 2017 Coachman VIP 545 was also a special edition, badged Vogue, so it had some valuable extras.
Coachman began in 1986 and joined other makes of caravan at the 1987 NEC show. They sold 40 units there, but caravanners quickly became aware of the quality of these tourers, so sales grew rapidly. It’s no surprise that these luxury caravans do well in reliability surveys and retain their pre-owned prices.
Model history
Coachman’s VIP range was first introduced in 1988 and over the years, various caravan layouts were added to the line-up, including the VIP 565, which features in our best used caravans guide. The 545, with its rear island bed, central washroom and front lounge, has long been a favourite.
The original layout had the central toilet room to one side, with the shower opposite, but by 2015, the washroom was providing the handbasin in the middle of the van, the toilet
on the nearside and the shower cubicle on the offside. In 2017, the VIP had Alde heating, ATC and upgraded upholstery, and the Vogue special edition included smart grey sidewalls, a solar panel and new graphics, among other additions.
The VIP was already highly specified, but the dealer special versions added some extra kit, bringing it up to the level of the even more upmarket Laser.
Loads of cupboard storage and good night-time lighting were also part of the offering, and of course, as you’d expect from Coachman, the VIP’s solid build and quality furnishings make these models a highly desirable used buy.
Price checker
In a dealer special edition such as this Vogue, the VIP will be a bit pricier than a standard model, but we had a good look around to see if our example was priced up competitively.
We found the same model on for £22,495 at one dealer, and another priced at £21,195. However, we spotted several more examples at £21,995, so we’d reckon this is the average price buyers are likely to come across – depending on condition and service history, of course.
For the rest of the range, you can expect to pay:
- 460 £19,495-£19,795
- 520 £19,695-£19,995
- 560 £20,195-£21,495
- 565 £21,895-£22,195
- 575 £19,995-£22,995
What to check for in a used 2017 Coachman VIP 545/5
- Scuffed alloy wheels
- Damp in front panels
- Good water flow in shower
- Evidence of caravan water ingress around the sunroof
- Damage to panels/mouldings
- Peeling wallboard tape
Verdict on the 2017 Coachman VIP 545/5
Coachman’s upmarket VIP has established a loyal following among caravanners seeking a classy, comfortable tourer.
This 2017 model is a solid performer with few problems, and being a dealer special, adds some valuable extra spec to the already well-equipped VIP.
The 545’s layout remains very popular and this model sells well on the used market.
Ideal for couples on tour, this well-designed single-axle offers lots of living space, a spacious bedroom, excellent storage and a superb kitchen.
This one was in fabulous condition – Coachman models wear well and their owners tend to look after them well, too.
Alternatives to a used Coachman VIP 545/4
A 2014 Sprite Major 4 FB is popular tourer that come with plenty of excellent value extras and its SMART construction means there should be few problems. Alternatively, the 2017 Coachman VIP 545 is a luxurious tourer that is well-built and makes a great used choice.
Technical spec
- Berths: 4
- MiRO: 1480kg
- Payload: 155kg
- MTPLM: 1635kg
- Internal length: 5.79m
- Width: 2.31m
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