Preparing to sell your motor home

Before you sell your motor home there are a few things to consider that can help or hinder your pathway to a selling your motor home. We’ve outlined these below so that you understand what you need to address in order to secure a successful and lucrative sale.

1. Evidence of paperwork

If you are able to show prospective buyers evidence that your vehicle is in good shape or has been looked after then you have a stronger chance of making a sale.  Make sure you are able to present a valid MOT. If the time has almost come to get it renewed, don‘t delay, get it sorted out as soon as possible. A 12 month MOT will reassure a prospective buyer whereas no MOT will only ring alarm bells.

If you purchased your motor home from new then you can make your motor home more appealing by showing them a properly stamped service history book to show them that it has been looked after.  A well maintained motor home with a documented service history should demand a higher price.  Also be sure to present your vehicle registration document which has the details of the registered keeper. Instruction manuals are also a useful thing to present and help the potential buyer to really familiarise themselves with what they might be buying.

If you can display evidence that you have had a motor home habitation service carried out this will also be beneficial. You can think of a habitation service as being a motor homes equivalent to an MOT for the aspects of your motor home that are used for living such as LPG / Water / Electricity.

2. Wear and tear

Unfortunately, even minor damage like dents or holes caused by road debris or hail reduces the value of your motor home. However, minor bumps and scratches can easily be repaired.  The cost of the work will be far less than the potential loss of value when you are trying to sell your motor home with visible damage.  Be sure not to overlook the inside of the vehicle for any potential wear and tear. It’s very important to give interior bodywork, furniture and equipment all a thorough inspection.  For example, one of the most common repairs is from damage caused by wind-out awnings which are not properly secured when extended. So look into every detail to make sure you

3. Damp and water damage

Some motor homes leak for years without any visible signs of water damage, and by the time you discover it’s there the damage can already be expensive. Larger motor homes that feature indoor plumbing for kitchen sinks, showers or toilets have on-board water tank or tanks that have been known to potentially leak and cause damage. You know you have a water leak in your motor home when you see mould, mildew, rust and rotted wood.

The quicker you spot a possible leak, the quicker you can address it. Stains, discolouration, swollen wall, saggy ceilings, warped flooring and a damp or mouldy smell are tell-tale signs. Make sure your motor home is relatively dried out before making any significant repairs. First, you should remove and dispose of any soggy or damaged materials. If any wood displays signs of excessive rot and decay, it’s best to replace it with new wood. If the wood can be salvaged, then apply a coat of hardener and let it dry before adding wood putty to the more heavily damaged parts.

4. Paintwork

Elements like acidity in rain, road salt, UV rays and general pollution from the sun all damage the outside of your vehicle over time. So treating your motor home to be resistant to stains, fading and oxidisation is a wise move if you want a gleaming, speck-free motor home.  There is a whole range of automotive touch up pain you can use to achieve this effect from pain pens to address small motor home scratches, to brush cap bottles for scratches and chips to spray cans for larger jobs.

5. Tyres

Tyres are designed and built to be used. The rubber used in tyres ages faster when the tyres are not used. When tyres sit still, they start to dry out and age faster. The problem is, the tyres on many motor homes don’t get used that much.  To determine if your tyres need replacing inspect them for cracks. Cracks less than 1/32-inch deep are fine, but if the cracks are more than 2/32-inch deep the tyre should be replaced immediately. Tyre professionals would recommend replacing motor home tyres every 6 years because of faster aging and weather cracking and infrequent use.

6. Roof condition

You should carry out annual or even biannual inspections to spot cracks that may lead to a water leak happening later down the line. A leak can happen around roof vents, the sky light and the front and rear top seams.  If you have luggage or storage racks on the roof that have been used plenty of times or have been overloaded, they are likely to cause a roof leak. It’s advisable to have your motor home roof resealed every 5 to 10 years to combat hazardous leaks from occurring.

1. Motor home extras

If you love DIY and think any modifications will add to the value and appeal of your motor home then think again. These practical touches might work for you, but they may not suit a potential buyer. So consider removing extra shelves, hooks to return your motor home back to it’s original state. Depersonalise as much as you can, removing extra cushions, throws and personal keepsakes and out them aside for your next motor home. However, make sure you take out and display the tools and accessories that come with the motor home as this will only make your motor home look more attractive.

2. Cleanliness and general presentation

Last but not least is the cleanliness of your motor home. By presenting the motor home in the best possible light you will undoubtedly have a greater chance of making a sale.  Start by cleaning windows and wheels with good quality vehicle shampoo and polish. Clear out any rubbish and don’t forget to empty the fridge. Inspect carpets, curtains and upholstery and wash and vacuum anything that isn’t clean. If you want the job done right then hire a professional valet to help your motor home appear spotless to any prospective buyer.

Think of adding elements that spruce up the general presentation of your motor home.  Put fresh flowers on the table, hang brightly coloured towels in the bathroom or even perhaps leave some freshly baked bread and coffee on the kitchen counter to create a real home from home feeling.

Where can I sell my motor home?

Locally

Yes, this method may not give you reach you want but it will undoubtedly, connect you with keen  buyers. For instance, it costs close to nothing to park your motor home in an area with high traffic with a FOR SALE sign, using local periodicals or magazine classifieds or using your local campgrounds for flyers or ads.

How to sell your motorhome online

There are a number of channels online to choose from to advertise your motor home sale. Here are a few of the main ones:

• Autotrader Motorhomes

For many people Autotrader motorhome is the best place to buy a motorhome or put your used motorhome up for sale in the UK. They promise to sell your motorhome fast by creating an advert in minutes. If you have a caravan, there is also a Autotrader Caravan marketplace where you can sell your caravan at a price that you want.

• Classifieds

Classified websites provide a good platform for you to sell your motor home to prospective buyers. From Gumtree to Craigslist to the Caravan and Motor home Club classified section, there are plenty of options available. But just be aware of scammers as there are plenty of them around.

• Online auctions

eBay Motors is an online marketplace for buying and selling vehicles and accessories. There are several services and tools to help you buy and sell your motor home and the listing formats are like those on eBay.

• Forums

There are dozens of motor home forums out there for nearly every manufacturer, type of motor home and motor home organization. You’ll find lots of motor home enthusiasts on these forums so you’ll have a great chance of getting advice on selling your motor home and to build a rapport with prospective buyers.

• Motor home dealer

To make the sale quick and relatively painless, many people will sell direct to a motor home dealer. When you sell your motor home to a dealer you are sure of a guaranteed sale. You might be looking at less money than you would get if you were selling privately, but a dealer will take all the hassle out of speaking and dealing with private buyers. You’ll also avoid dealing with those who contact you and can’t really afford your motor home – so it can be a massive time saver.

• Motor home broker

A broker is a company that will accept your motor home onto their books and try to match it with a buyer. You don’t get paid until the broker sells the motor home and then they will take their commission. Think of the relationship that a real estate agent has with a home seller you that’s the relationship you will have with a broker.

How to place an advert for your used motorhome

When placing an advert to sell your motor home, there is one golden rule you need to consider. Before you do anything, make sure you are honest and open about the condition of your motor home, otherwise you will have lots of wasted test drives and meetings that don’t lead to a sale. Taking the first step will place you a better position for a sale. There are other things to consider though when placing an effective ad online.

• Photos

Be sure to use a good digital camera. Take as many photos as yuo can from every imaginable view, then afterwards touch up or edit them if necessary, choose the best 10 to 15 you can find. Try and aim for an equal split between pictures from outside and inside the motor home.

• Descriptions

Look at ads other people have written about the same brand, year and model and copy what applies to yours. Keep the ad simple and use lists rather than wordy descriptions. Ensure the ad is also accurate and grammatically correct.

How much is my motor home worth?

When it comes to valuing your motor home, there is no definitive guide. With such a wide range available of different sizes, layouts and types, valuation can prove difficult.  If you set the price too high you’ll have few prospects. Set it too low you could lose out on a potentially higher sale. Ideally you want to set the price above what you want to accept, which leaves room for customers to haggle.

If you still can’t decide on how to price it then luckily there are ways and sources where you can get some idea of how much your motor home might actually be worth.

Get a free quote online

One tactic is to try out the many sell my motor home valuation tools available online, gathering a number of quotes as you go along. If you compare enough you might get some idea of what might be offered for your motor home.

Motor home appraisal service

There are companies that provide certified pre-purchase inspections and third party independent appraisals of your motor home. Alternatively some motor home users choose to use the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) RV appraisal guides. The NADA RV values are calculated based on demand and selling prices at motor home dealerships, motor home auctions and motor home sales websites. NADA Guide valuations won’t give you the definitive end asking price but it will help you feel better informed.

How to sell your motorhome summarised

So in summary if you are looking to get the best possible price when selling your motor home, don’t forget to keep the following mind:

-Pay attention to aspects that can help or hinder the sale of your motor home

-Investigate what channel is best for selling your motor home

-Come to a price that you’re happy with by gathering online quotes or by using a third party motor home appraisal service

TOP TIPS ON SELLING YOUR MOTORHOME

• Be friendly and try to build a rapport when people call. People buy from other people they trust
• Never lie about your vehicle
• Encourage people to come out and see your motor home in person
• When a potential buyer arrives, have the sales paperwork at hand
• Get complete buyer information prior to signing anything

Thanks to We Buy Any Motor Caravan for posting this guest post.