Wondering how to sell a caravan without getting ripped off?
Where do you start? How do you know you’re getting a good price? How hard is it to sell a caravan?
Yep, selling a caravan is a big decision. Before you start, you need to ask yourself some important questions. Do you really need to sell? Can you afford to keep it? If you’re not sure, it might be worth speaking to a financial advisor before making any decisions as these transactions can really add up to a lot of money.
Once you’ve decided to sell, the next step is working out how much your caravan is worth. This can be tricky, as there are many factors to consider – age, condition, make and model etc.
In this guide, we take a look at some of the different options for selling caravans in the UK market.
Let’s get started!
Quick Sell Sites For Caravans
You may be familiar with those sites and companies that offer to buy your car, no matter the condition, age, or model. Well, there are also sites just like this for caravans.
Quick sell sites are super easy to use and take a lot of the hassle out of the sales process on your end. However, they don’t always give you the best price because you compromise on the price for the convenience these quick sell sites offer.
Most of the time, the best person to use a quick sell site to sell their caravan is someone struggling to find storage for the caravan but who isn’t starved for cash. If you don’t mind taking a slight hit on the price, this is the easiest way to get rid of your unwanted caravan.
But this is not always the case. There are quick sell caravan sites that give you a fair and decent price on your vehicle. But there is also a worse option than getting lowballed. Some of these companies are not legitimate and may scam you, taking the caravan but never compensating you. So be careful when choosing the site.
Read reviews and do some research before allowing them to take the caravan or require they pay upfront.
Pros
- Typically the fastest way to sell a caravan
- A quick way to get money for the caravan
- Less hassle than other selling options
- They usually pick up the caravan for you
- You don’t need to worry about servicing or cleaning the caravan
Cons
- Likely to get a lower price than other selling options
- Some of these sites are sketchy and may not pay you
Selling Privately
Selling privately is more work than many other selling options.
Selling privately means anything from posting an advert on Craigslist, putting up a sign on street corners, or letting folks know you want to sell your caravan. This method is one way to ensure you get the price you want and can break even on your caravan. But it requires a lot of effort on your part.
Sites other than Craigslist where you can try to sell your caravan privately include AutoTrader, LeisureBe, eBay, or Facebook. You’ll have to do some research on pricing to determine what the right price to advertise is. But there is more to selling privately than just listing it on a site. You’ll also need to make sure the caravan is in decent condition, meaning you may need to have it serviced and clean to make it appealing to a private buyer.
Pros
- Usually the most profitable selling option
- You can control the price and everything involved with the sale
- You can learn how to sell a vehicle
- There are many sites to help you sell privately
Cons
- More hassle on your part
- You have to haggle and be a salesman
- This may mean allowing strangers to come to your home
Using a Brokerage
Using a brokerage to sell your caravan is the least common method. There aren’t many brokers that specifically sell caravans. If you can find one, it is a great way to make money without the hassle of doing the work yourself.
Essentially, a broker is someone that will sell your caravan privately for you.
So they’ll find potential buyers, show the caravan, and try to get you the best price possible. You won’t have to pay the broker until they make the sale, so won’t lose anything. But if they do sell it, you have to pay them for their time and effort, usually with a percentage of the selling price.
But sometimes, they charge a flat rate, usually a few hundred pounds.
If you’re a busy person or don’t want to deal with the hassle of selling your caravan, this can be a great option to get you a decent price so you won’t feel like you lost money. You can also speak with a few brokers to discuss their fees and decide which is right for you. Keep in mind that you will likely be responsible for cleaning and servicing the caravan before they start advertising it.
Pros
- You can sell the caravan for a good price
- You don’t have to deal with marketing and customers
- You only pay if they sell the caravan
- You’ll save time and effort
Cons
- People may have to visit your house to see the caravan
- The broker fee can be high, making it not worth it
- Bad brokers will make this process more frustrating
Using a Caravan Dealer
Using a caravan dealer to sell your vehicle is another common method to get rid of your caravan. Caravan dealers will likely lowball you, as their goal is to resell your caravan is the largest profit possible. So you will likely receive a price well below the vehicle’s market value.
But if you want to get rid of your car fast and in-person, a caravan dealer is a great option. This method is similar to quick sell sites, but many feel more comfortable going to a dealer than one of the questionable websites. You may also get more money than you would from one of the quick sell sites.
This method is relatively hassle-free. Have the caravan cleaned and serviced to get the best price possible from the dealer. Research the dealer and read reviews to see if they’ll give you a good price and if they’re a trustworthy company.
Pros
- Less hassle for you
- You can get an honest price from a dealer
- Caravan dealers are easy to find
- Many dealers to visit and choose from
Cons
- Likely will get under market value
- You have to clean, service, and deliver the caravan to the dealer
Part Exchange
Part exchange is the last option for selling your unwanted caravan. This method only makes sense for someone looking to buy a new caravan, whether it’s an upgrade or just a lateral change. Rather than selling your caravan and using that money to buy a new one, you can streamline the process using part exchange.
Your current caravan becomes a bargaining tool to get a new caravan. If you are upgrading, you can haggle to pay a small amount for the upgrade in exchange for your old caravan.
But if you want something different, not necessarily better, you may be able to swing an even exchange or even get a new caravan and a bit of cash.
The most common way to do this is to visit a caravan dealer. But this can also occur via private sales if you find someone with a caravan who is willing to sell or make the exchange. It can be hard if you don’t know the value of your caravan. You will also likely need to clean and service the caravan beforehand.
Pros
- A great way to save cash in your bank account
- You can wind up profiting from the exchange
- Your caravan is a great bargaining tool if in good condition
- Convenient if you want a new caravan
Cons
- You may not get the best deal or the best new caravan
- It can be hard to find willing participants with a caravan that interests you
Preparing Your Caravan For Sale
Here are some steps you should take to prepare your caravan for sale.
Cleaning
Give the interior and exterior of your caravan a thorough and detailed cleaning. You’ll be surprised how much a simple cleaning can bump up the value people see in your caravan.
Check Electric Appliances
Check all of the electrical appliances to ensure they are working. A broken burner or light switch that doesn’t work can be a reason for someone to haggle for a lower price, whether it’s a private sale or dealer.
Check Plumbing
You should also check your plumbing, like the toilet, sinks, and shower. If these are not working, it will lower the value of your caravan significantly. Unfortunately, it will likely cost you a decent amount of money to fix plumbing problems.
Caravan Description
If you are not using a broker, you should try to craft a description of your caravan that can help interest buyers and sell it at a great price. Highlight the best parts and play down the worst to help you get the best price possible.
Get It Serviced
Make sure the vehicular parts of the caravan are working excellently. This means having the tires checked, the towing mechanisms, and the safety of the axels. Go to a professional for this unless you are an expert.
Organize Documentation
Collect all necessary paperwork for a sale and any additional information. These documents must include the CRIS or ownership documentation.
Final Note on Selling a Caravan
If you need a decent payout, you should probably sell it privately. This is the best way to get maximum value from the sale – but it’s also the hardest transaction to complete.
If you’re upgrading, a part exchange is the easiest method, but it requires the additional step of getting an accurate valuation for the caravan you already own.
No matter which method you choose, try to do research and become aware of your caravan’s value. And good luck getting a good price!
