When is the best time to buy a campervan?

Buying a campervan of your own is always a great idea at any time of year. But it’s a big investment in both money and effort, so when is the best time to buy a campervan?

Whatever time of year you end up buying your cherished camper, you’ll need to keep it well protected for the season ahead.

Contact the team of insurance specialists at Lancaster to discuss your options.

When to buy a campervan – why this winter could be your best opportunity

There are great bargains to be had whatever time of year potential buyers choose to take the plunge. But there are certain times when buying a campervan is more likely to land you a great deal.

In general, if you ask any campervan enthusiast the recommended time of the year to make a purchase, they’ll say the winter months. Or pretty much any time in the low season from late September until around mid-March (early spring).

It’s during this time you’re most likely to find the widest range of campervans on offer and sellers who are prepared to offer you the best deal.

Here are five great reasons why:

1. Summer is over and campervan owners are more likely to sell

Campervans in the UK are the most fun during the warmer months when the days are longer and you’re more likely to enjoy pleasant weather.

Owners who are thinking of upgrading their vehicle or having a break from touring entirely, may choose to spend a last summer travelling before passing the campervan on to a new owner around September or October.

2. Owners may sell to avoid costs of winter storage and maintenance

With the change in the weather as summer gives way to autumn, many owners will spend less time outdoors and more time with their vehicle in storage. It can also cause them to worry about what maintenance needs to be done before the next touring season gets under way.

And at a time when money is getting increasingly tight, if an owner wants to avoid such storage or maintenance bills, then it makes sense to sell a campervan sooner rather than later. If you’re looking for a great deal then the months of October and November can be a particularly fruitful time for buyers.

3. Campervan dealerships are looking to shift older stock

In an ideal world, a campervan dealership will have sold all of its older stock over the spring and summer season – clearing vital showroom floor space for the latest models, ready for the next peak buying season.

Any older stock will cut down on space for new models and add to the costs of maintaining and winterising vehicles. And unfortunately for dealers, most just don’t get much business over the winter months.

Potentially this can be a time for excellent discounts and negotiations for additional extras. So, stay on the lookout and be ready to pounce if the price is right!

4. It’s the best time to visit campervan and motorhome shows

There are excellent campervan and motorhome trade shows throughout the year, but the really big events are traditionally in early and late winter. For example, the UK’s biggest and best event is the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show, held at the NEC in Birmingham every year in October and February.

Attending a show at this time of year is a great way to see what models and additional extras you might like and picking up handy tips from other campervan owners. They’re also a great way to beat those winter-time blues!

5. Wintertime touring can be a lot of fun

While it might be harder to stay upbeat during the long, dark winter months, if you’ve invested in a campervan then there could be a silver lining to that cloud. A wintertime campervan break can be both fun and breath-takingly beautiful.

Benefits of a wintertime tour include:

• Less overcrowding on roads, campsites and attractions.
• Campsites tend to be cheaper so you can stay for even longer.
• The UK landscape undergoes such a change during the winter season that it’s a perfect way to experience the country like never before.
• Most beaches are more dog-friendly in winter. A winter holiday with your furry friend is a great way to bond.
• Have you ever spent Christmas in a campervan? Never? Then you don’t know what you’re missing!

That said, while buying a campervan in winter can be more cost effective, you could still pick up an amazing deal in June, July or any other month of the year.

You never know when the perfect van might come across your path, and leave you with the rest of the summer free for getting the most out of your new purchase.

Perhaps you’ve just bought a campervan and you’re thinking of making some updates before the new season starts? Read more about the ways to add value to your new camper here.

15 great questions to ask before you buy

Buying a campervan is a big investment in time and money. So, you’ll want to have done as much research as possible and make sure you ask all the right questions before parting with your hard-earned cash.

Depending on the model you’re looking at, there can be a wide range of questions you’ll want answered. But here’s a few to get you started:

1. What repairs have been done and by whom?
2. When were the tyres last changed?
3. Are there any signs of water damage?
4. If there have been any modifications to the campervan, who did the work?
5. Who carried out the campervan conversion?
6. What brand are the roof and bed?
7. Where has the campervan been stored?
8. Is there anything missing or broken? Particular items worth checking are windows and sunroof, heating and air con, and interior and exterior lights.
9. Has the campervan ever been stolen or broken into?
10. When were the gas and electrics last checked?
11. When were the batteries last changed?
12. When was the campervan last serviced?
13. Is it an ex-hire vehicle?
14. Does it come with a warranty?
15. Are you sure this campervan is right for you? Renting a similar model first might be a good way to find out.

Never rush your decision to buy. Yes, there’s the small risk another buyer will get there before you, but that’s much better than feeling pressured and regretting your decision later.

Asking questions is one of the best ways to find out what it is you’re really buying and getting the best deal for you. If you’re not happy with the answers then trust your gut instincts and walk away.

That’s why when it comes to sorting your campervan insurance in the UK, you’ll no doubt be asked plenty of questions by the team at Lancaster. How else can we get you the best deal perfectly suited to your requirements?

Best places to buy a campervan in the UK

As we’ve already said, you could come across the ideal campervan at any time of year. But you’ll be a lot more likely to do so if you know where to look. So, what are the best places to buy a campervan in the UK?

Online auction or listings site

As you would expect you can get pretty much everything online nowadays including top-of-the-range or vintage campervans and all the camping accessories you could ever need.

And even if you don’t end up buying online it really is the best place to start your research into makes and models.

Sites like eBay, Gumtree, AutoTrader, and Campers4Sale have thousands of campervan listings. But while many of them will offer good value for money, you still need to be careful.

Make sure the person who’s selling the campervan is the genuine registered owner. And when it comes to paying, don’t hand over any cash until you’ve had time to conduct a proper inspection, ask all your questions and take it for a test-drive.

Don’t forget to search through the second-hand campervans listed in the Classifieds section of owners’ clubs. These are fantastic communities where you could find your dream vehicle.

Two of the biggest and best clubs are the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club.

There are many benefits to joining such clubs, including access to a large network of campsites, reduced pitch fees and discounts, expert advice and maintenance tips, and the possibility of meeting like-minded campervanners.

Campervan dealerships

There are thousands of great independent dealers like Brownhills in Nottinghamshire and Dolphin Motorhomes in Hampshire and Dorset offering one of the best ways to get a quality new or used campervan. And, perhaps more importantly, reliable after-sales service.

However, there can still be rogue traders out there. So, how can you be assured that you’ve picked a good one?

First off, check if they are accredited by independent organisations such as The National Caravan Council, The Caravan Club, British Independent Motor Traders Association, SMMT, AA, RAC, Motor Codes or Scottish Motor Traders Association. While this doesn’t guarantee a problem-free experience, it does give you somewhere to go for help if something goes wrong.

Take a look at customer reviews of the business to see what others have said. Probably the most reliable way to find a great campervan dealer is still through word of mouth – that way you can be sure of excellent customer service.

Whether you’re looking for a new or used campervan, try to find a local dealer close to where you live. As a local business you’ve got more chances of spotting a rogue trader and it will make things easier if you have to go back for repairs, servicing or a spot of advice.

To improve your chances of negotiating a better deal or additional extras, try visiting dealerships during the working week. Weekends tend to be busier, so you’ve less time to look around, ask questions and haggle.

Specialist campervan and motorhome shows

Whether you’re in the market for the latest model, or something a bit older, specialised campervan and motorhome shows are fantastic places for you to view a wide range of vehicles in the flesh. There are large indoor exhibitions as well as open-air shows throughout the country and at every time of year.

There really is no better place for campervan research than at one of these shows. Try out the latest layouts, styles and designs, see new cutting-edge campervan gadgetry and talk to specialists about every aspect of campervan ownership.

You might even spot the Lancaster team who can help you find the right campervan insurance in the UK for you.

Put these events in your diary:

• The Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC Birmingham in October. Anyone interested in campervans must visit at least once!
• Get the new year off to a great start with a visit to the Motorhome and Campervan Show at Exeter’s Westpoint Arena. For those based in the south west there are few shows to beat it.
• February offers another great show at the NEC Birmingham, this time the family-friendly Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show.
• One of the longest running shows happens in April at the East of England Showground in Peterborough. The National Motorhome and Campervan Show is great fun.
• The South West Motorhome and Campervan Show at the Bath and West Showground near Shepton Mallet is a great place to see the latest models. Planned for 8-10th September 2023.

When is the best time to buy campervan insurance in the UK?

Well, we all know the answer to that by now, don’t we? As soon as possible!

If you set off in your campervan without the right insurance, then you’re putting yourself at risk of having to pay for accidents, injuries and repairs yourself. That’s why the helpful team of insurance specialists at Lancaster are dedicated to finding you the most appropriate campervan insurance in the UK.

If you’re searching for campervan insurance in the UK, come straight to the specialists.

Benefits of cover through us can include:

• Campervan club member discounts
• Gas bottle and awning cover
• Windscreen cover
• Limited mileage discounts
• Personal effects cover up to £6,000

With optional breakdown cover, a 24-hour claims helpline, and a UK-based call centre you can be sure we’re there to help if things go wrong.

So, what are you waiting for? Get a quote for campervan insurance in the UK from our friendly team today.