After much discussion, we are toying with the idea of buying a small motorhome or a campervan (must have a loo though). As pensioners in our middle 70s, we don't have much capital, but would probably sell a car to fund this. Say around £15k - absolute tops would be £20k.
We are having trouble finding somewhere where we can just go and have a look to see what we might get for our money. Are there any dealers who specialise in the lower end? We are in Northamptonshire/ Milton Keynes area.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
Caravan Finder (Motorhome section) is often a good resource for seeing what's on the market to your specific wants/needs, and the dealerships in your area.
https://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/motorhome_search_results.html?be=all&vt=all&ma=all........ I entered a postcode between Northampton and MK, and a top budget of £20k and sadly only one (already sold) unit was listed, but play with the filters on distance, budget etc. and it may throw up more, at least it may show the dealers. It's also a good way of seeing what's on the market and vehicle/layout options (may need to ignore setting budget max for that exercise).
If you Google 'MH dealers Milton Keynes/Northampton' quite a few seem to be listed.
Can't vouch for how good they are as dealers, they are just listings in directories, but the trade is not without it's rogues sadly, so 'buyer beware' still applies.
Hopefully, with big shows coming up soon, preloved vans will be available when their owners upgrade their vans, good luck!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Personally, I would go around your local dealers and look at their stock at the lower end (probably aroud £30/40k mark) just for inspiration and looking at layouts. Then work backwards on a model to start looking for.
I would say an end kitchen type layout might suit? Think Autotrail, Elddis and Swift do these. There's plenty of living space but just need to make a bed up at night. Similar length to a PVC but feels more roomy as slightly wider.
You could also try the motorhome depot website, they do all sorts of ages/prices.
I would advise having your funds readily available, so that when a van that fits your criteria becomes available, you can buy it right away, as second-hand campervans appear to sell like hot cakes!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Thank you everyone. We an good eye on Autotrader and also watch FB Marketplace - although we were stung there a few years ago, so are being very careful.
I'm afraid that all the dealers I have looked at have nothing in our price range, although I can't help feeling that they must get trade-ins which they sell on. I wonder where those go?
Having the funds ready makes sense, although we haven't committed ourselves that far yet - we are still in the research stage.
We don't mind something quite old, so long as it is under 3500 kg (we lost those rights at 70, as we never thought then that we would want them) and it has a big enough engine to make travelling reasonably comfortable.
Once again, thanks for the advice.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
A lot of dealers (same with cars), especially if franchised and selling newer examples, don't want the 'old bangers' on their forecourts!
The 'oldies' have usually been taken in part exchange and they paid a pittance for them, so they can afford to move them on through the likes of auctions and trade deals with other sellers, practically at cost and with benefit of no comebacks on a 'sold as seen' trade deal.
If a responsible dealer, they'd have to likely spend some time and money on them before putting them on the forecourt, a 20-25 year old vehicle almost certainly will need something doing to it, and that's compounded by being a MH with the complexities of the habitable area too, that's workshop time and cost, then they are by law responsible for it being fit for purpose with the purchaser having rights to have faults fixed, otherwise they have to warranty it again at cost to themselves. For the slim profit margin and highish risks of ongoing costs, they can't be asked to stock them is the bottom line.
There are dealers that seem to almost specialise in older examples, but they are not necessarily on your door step! But remember, if it has to go back to the dealer for anything, it's not like a caravan that can be dropped off and the tow car will get you home again, if your only vehicle, you may find yourself stranded a long way from home! ... and of course the agro of picking up after it's fixed.
Private sales obviously carry higher risks as precious little legal comeback on the seller for any existing or emerging faults, but a pre-sale inspection by a reliable and qualified specialist MH engineer can lessen the risks considerably. But you may find you want to decline the purchase after the inspection, and the engineers fee is payable regardless, so not a practice to be employed too lightly, some personal diligence needs employing and the engineer is at the dotting the 'I's, crossing the 'T's stage.
Another idea is to sign up to specialist MH related groups, e.g. there is a VW group in Wiltshire, and there had been exchanges about upgrades and vans for sell, etc. etc...
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Have you looked at the ads on this site. There are a few which would suit your budget and requirements.
I'd expect people advertising on this site would be trustworthy.
The MOT should give you some comfort as advisories are usually listed for work requiring attention soon. No advisories is good news and could indicate good maintenance.
Are you changing from a caravan to a MH/Campervan.
There is also Elite motorhomes Banbury and Heart of England motorhomes at Weedon which is another dealership closing down at end of October. You will be lucky if you find anything at dealers within the range of Milton Keynes under £40000 ,and the cheapest I have found within our area is £38000 at Venture Daventry
Mrs Bonce, We have been there quite often for caravan bits and pieces over the years - their accessories shop is excellent. However, they (as with almost everyone else) don't do anything in our kind of price range.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
I think one of the problems is, your budget puts you into the realms of over 20 year old, maybe even towards 30 year old vehicles, and they are reaching 'end of life' as a motor vehicle in some ways, if it isn't the dreaded rust, it's sometimes difficulty obtaining fairly mundane spare parts to keep them on the road.
Keeping the base vehicle going can be challenging enough, but then you have the 'habitation' bit to consider, any custom MH bits even for a much newer one can be very hard to find, and you even reach a point where things like widely used fridges and cookers are difficult to repair due to rarity of parts.
MH's and campers tend to have a very long life, far longer than the base vehicle would have in most other applications, but they do reach the end eventually.
I've been involved with 'old' and classic cars, and often it's something like an unobtainable light lens or filter that takes and keeps them off the road! Owners clubs where they exist work VERY hard keeping the spare parts supply going as best they can. The bigger clubs have replica parts made especially. Not sure there are any clubs (maybe VW aside) doing that for the old commercial vehicles on which MHs are based. Enthusiasts often find ways around these issues, commercial garages just say 'can't get the parts'!
Bottom line is, they are relatively rare beasts that you search for, expecting to find an abundance on your doorstep is perhaps unrealistic. They are out there is smaller numbers, but save for a few dealers more specialising in them, they will be scattered around.
Just thought of Nene Court at Raunds. They repaired the damp in our caravan when nobody else would, the dealer having closed. A strange place, but they may just be able to help.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Dealers?
via mobile 25/9/2025 at 10:13pm
