Buying a used motorhome: tips and purchase contract

Camping is trendy: Many people dream of owning their own motorhome or caravan. lawyers give tips on what you should pay attention to when buying and selling.

• Low loss of value: Used campers are also expensive

• Camper basics: Check for leaks and observe the maximum load

• Purchase contract: Which agreements are important

If you want to buy a used camper, there are a few things you should pay attention to. Checklist and  sample purchase contract for buying a motorhome help you not to overlook anything.

Which camper is right for me?

The variety of models on the motorhome market is huge. Therefore, you should do your research before buying and think about how you want to travel.

• Are you traveling as a couple or with family?

• Is a panel van enough or do you prefer an alcove or a partially or fully integrated motorhome?

• Are you planning weekend trips or mainly longer vacation trips?

• Where should the motorhome be located? Do you have space for it or does it need to be stored?

• What budget is available to you? Do you need an RV loan?

• What equipment and how much payload are important to you?

Tip: If you have never traveled with a camper before, we recommend getting one first Rent a motorhome and to test the camping life.

Check tightness and load

You should check a few points with the dealer or private seller: before You buy the motorhome. The Checklist the helps lawyers not to forget anything important.

Inspect the motorhome for moisture

Moisture damage can have serious consequences. The structure must be tight and must not show any damage. Ask whether the RV has been regularly checked for moisture or have one done yourself before purchasing Leak test make. Be sure to let yourself ensure in the purchase contractthat the motorhome has no moisture damage. Don’t rely on oral statements.

Pay attention to the load

Ask about the before purchasing maximum payload of the motorhome. A lot of special equipment can significantly reduce the payload capacity. If in doubt, take the motorhome to the scales before purchasing. Anyone traveling with an overloaded motorhome is taking a risk fine – this can be very expensive, especially abroad.

Buy a motorhome from the dealer

As a private customer, you have the advantage when buying from a dealer that the dealer is responsible for material defects be liable for at least one year must. The prerequisite for liability is that the defect existed when it was handed over and the dealer did not inform you about it.

This is what you should pay attention to

• Buy a young one used motorhome, you can avoid the long delivery times for new vehicles. However, you won’t usually save a lot of money because mobile homes have a very stable value are. Vehicles from the Rental are often offered by dealers at attractive prices. But you should pay particular attention here Damage regard. Also: The deadline for the Main inspection is available for rental vehicles 12 months shortened.

• Ask the dealer for one Moisture testing and have this confirmed in writing. Water damage to your motorhome can result in expensive repairs. Have the dealer include everything that is important to you (e.g. special equipment, no accidents, no water damage) in the purchase contract assure in writing.

• Also, be sure to make one Test drive with the camper before you sign the purchase contract.

Tip: Buy from the dealer close byso that if there are material defects you don’t have to drive hundreds of kilometers to the seller for repairs.

All information about your rights when buying a used car

Buy a motorhome from a private person

When buying privately liable the seller usually not for defects. He can exclude statutory liability for material defects in the purchase contract. Therefore, test and examine a used motorhome carefully before signing the purchase contract.

• Ask the seller about the history and condition of the RV and get it all promises in writing Confirm in the purchase contract (e.g. no accidents, no moisture damage, special equipment).

• Watch out for DIY repairs and tinkering by the previous owners (e.g. on gas and water pipes). Get the invoices for previous repairs.

• Check if the last Gas testing has been done and the motorhome has an inspection sticker. Cooking stoves, refrigerators and heaters are tested. The gas test is due every two years. It will be entered in the inspection book (you must carry this with you) and the vehicle will receive an inspection sticker. Many campsites only allow motorhomes and caravans onto the site with a valid inspection sticker.

• Concealed you the seller malicious If the motorhome has any defects when it is handed over, you can claim against it. You have to have the guile though prove, which is often very difficult. For example, the Nuremberg-Fürth Regional Court has decided that the buyer should conceal one hail damage can withdraw from the purchase contract for a caravan (judgment of December 7, 2020, ref. 10 O 309/20).

All information about your rights when buying a used car

You can purchase a used camper sample purchase agreement use for motorhomes:

Sell ​​used motorhome

If you want to sell your private mobile home, you should pay close attention to what you declare in the purchase contract. Although you can do this when selling privately exclude statutory liability for material defects and are not liable for defects that you were not aware of at the time of sale. You can use the motorhome purchase contract for the sale.

For Explanations and Reassurances but you are still liable. This also applies to the assurance that the mobile home no water damage having. This doesn’t always have to be just water entering from outside. You should also inform the buyer about, for example, a burst water pipe.

If the seller assures that there is no water/moisture damage, the courts will usually agree with the buyer Right of withdrawal if such a situation is discovered. When selling, don’t guarantee anything that you don’t know for sure. If in doubt, you should in the motorhome purchase contract Tick ​​“no information”.. Or you leave the motorhome open Check moisture and present the certificate of this at the time of sale.

Buy or sell used caravans

In principle, the tips mentioned above also apply to buying a used caravan. Think in advance about what is important to you about the caravan and which ones Furnishing you really need. Take the time to view and evaluate several “candidates”. compare. The condition of the caravan is more important than its age. However, you should pay particular attention to the following points when it comes to your caravan:

• Pay attention to the Tires. For caravans with a 100 km/h approval, these must not be older than 6 years. This applies regardless of the tread depth.

• The Brakes must be in safe condition.

• Ask for one Moisture and hail damage. Pay particular attention to roof hatches and folds and whether the caravan smells musty inside.

• Pay attention to trailer load, tongue load and total towing weight.

• Inspect the drawbar for damage or wear.

• It is also important to know whether the caravan was driven or whether it was used for Permanent camping was used. Then the condition of the tires and brakes can be problematic.

• Pay attention to ventilation openings in storage space and storage compartments. Wardrobes should also be ventilated.

• The Gas system must be in safe condition.

You can purchase a used caravan sample purchase agreement use:

Here you will find a checklist for buying a used caravan*

Everything you need to know about driving a caravan.

Defects: You have these rights

In principle you are allowed to have a functional one, ie a roadworthy motorhome or caravan with functioning and ready-to-use equipment expect. Exception: Something else is contractually agreed (e.g. exclusion of liability for material defects in private purchases). If there are defects, you can request repairs from the dealer; in certain cases it is possible to withdraw from the contract or reduce the purchase price.

What is a used motorhome? Lack and what not? lawyers have summarized the case law on the subject of motorhomes.

camper check

In order not to take any risks when buying or selling a used camper, you can do a camper check with the . For example, safety equipment, function and humidity are checked and you receive a digital one report.

Further tips for buying a motorhome: camping portal PiNCAMP*

Find campsite online*

* By clicking on the link you will be redirected to an external website, for whose content the respective site operator is responsible.