Buying a second hand motorhome

A motorhome opens up trips where the bed, the kitchen and the view all come along with you. Buying one used can be a good way in. A few checks before you hand over the money help you find one you will enjoy for years.

Start with the history

GOV.UK's vehicle enquiry service shows what the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) holds about a vehicle. You only need the number plate. It shows when the vehicle was first registered, when its MOT runs out, its weight and its tax status.

The MOT history service shows each past test, whether it passed and the mileage at the time. For tests in England, Scotland and Wales since 2005, it also lists parts that failed or had minor problems. You can check for safety recalls on the vehicle too.

Look at the log book

Ask to see the V5C registration certificate, often called the log book. GOV.UK says it should carry a "DVL" watermark. The details should match what you have been told, including the vehicle identification number and the engine number. GOV.UK also lists ranges of serial numbers that belong to stolen log books.

Have the living space checked

A motorhome is a vehicle and a small home in one. A habitation check looks at the home half. Under the Approved Workshop Scheme, a typical check covers the gas system and appliances, the electrics and battery, the water system, heating and ventilation, damp and seals, and the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

A habitation check is not a legal requirement in the UK. Many manufacturers and insurers ask for one every year to keep a warranty or cover valid. The scheme has over 550 fixed and mobile workshops across the UK, and its workshops also carry out pre-purchase inspections.

Weight and your licence

Every motorhome has a maximum authorised mass. A standard car licence covers petrol and diesel vehicles up to 3,500kg. Heavier motorhomes up to 7,500kg need category C1. The vehicle enquiry service shows a vehicle's weight, so you can match it to your licence before you travel to see it.

The weight limit includes the driver, passengers, fuel and everything on board, as GOV.UK explains for vans. A local weighbridge can tell you what a loaded vehicle weighs. Drivers renewing a licence at 70 renew C1 entitlement by post.

Buying from a dealer

When a trader sells to you, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says the goods must be of satisfactory quality and match their description. Quality includes appearance and finish, freedom from minor defects, and durability.

Faults the seller points out before you buy are not covered by that term. Nor are faults that your own examination should have shown. A careful look round, with notes and photos, gives you a clear record of what you agreed to buy.

Once it is yours

Tax the vehicle straight away, using the green "new keeper" slip from the log book. You must have insurance before you drive it on the road. Once a vehicle is 3 years old it needs an MOT every year, and GOV.UK can send you a reminder.

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