Return to articles menu

The HPI guide to buying a used caravan

1 Research the market place
Compare prices between advertisements and your local dealer. Don’t forget to budget for insurance and routine maintenance.

2 Conduct a Towsafe Multiple Match
Don’t waste your time visiting vans that are not a legal match for your car. The Towsafe Multiple Match gives you a list of safe options to base your choice on.

3 Don’t deal in the dark
Make sure you view the caravan in good daylight and don’t go alone. Meet at the seller’s house and NEVER agree to meet at a service station or lay-by.

4 Request all documentation
Ask to see the caravan’s service history and CRiS registration document. Also, check if the caravan is NCC approved.

5 Check the seller’s details
Make sure the owner is who they say they are. Contact CRiS with the make and model of the tourer and the owner’s details to be checked against the information on the CRiS database.

6 Is the caravan on finance?
Ask if there is outstanding finance and verify by checking through CRiS. If the caravan has not been paid off, it could still be the property of the finance company that could reclaim it.

7 Don’t buy a write-off
Has it been in an accident? Check panels closely for signs of repair and check the caravan’s history with CRiS to ensure that an insurance company has not previously recorded it as a write-off. Write-offs that are rebuilt are not always safe to return to the road.

8 Check the locks
Inspect all door and window locks for signs of force or replacement. This may mean the caravan has been stolen and look carefully at the CRiS window markings for signs of alteration or removal.

9 Conduct a Towsafe One to One Match
Contact Towsafe to make sure the selected car and caravan are a safe and legal combination for the road before you close the deal.