We've found a caravan (2005) that ticks all our boxes. It is in immaculate condition. However, the seller seems reluctant to show us that the caravan is in working order because its in storage on a field in a CL and he'd have to pay for EHU or tow it home. Also, apparently the owner of the CL is annoyed that people are coming to view the caravan at the site.
We'd like to see it connected to the EHU and make sure everything is working properly (i.e, toilet, shower, cooker, heater etc). Is that an unreasonable request?
Also, the CRIS documents are still registered to the previous owner. The seller says he forgot to fill in the form and he had rang CRIS and they stated that it would take over 10 weeks for the details to be transferred etc.
He said that CRIS advised him to just pass the CRIS form to the new owners.
We're not sure what to do. The seller is calling us back today about potentially viewing the caravan connected to the EHU but I'm not sure whether to go back and view it. We've already taken the cash out of the bank so we're serious buyers but just a bit wary.
You say it's immaculate, but you've never actually seen it in the flesh, so to speak.
Re CRIS, yes it can take a while to transfer, but ten weeks is a bit of a stretch. If you're serious phone CRIS yourself with the details and ask, although they might not give you any answer, data protection and all that.
If you do go and see it, take a damp meter with you and check it thoroughly, if it's got damp and you're not a good DIY'r walk away.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
It could all be plausible.
The site owner could be annoyed,especially if the owner hasn't informed him, loads of strangers turning up could be seen as a security risk if he is storing vans.
The CRIS documents are neither here nor there.A quick phone call will confirm the status of the van.I would hardly think it dodgy if he has the paperwork,far easier to just say they had nothing.
I would definitely want it hooked up to check it all out though.
We bought our van from a bloke desperate to sell for half its market value. We went through everything looking for the catch or scam but everything checked out and we enjoyed a bargain for many years. Just keep your wits about you and be prepared to walk away if you are not 100% happy.There will always be another.
Sorry, I should have been more clear. We have actually seen the caravan in the flesh. It was in nice condition inside and out. I had a damp meter on me at the time and used it; half way through testing the caravan my batteries ran out, but up until that point I had picked up no damp. I've since bought a better damp meter, so I would use that next time when testing a caravan.
it really depends on the price ,i regularly check through online prices by habit as i was checking them earlier this year before buying ours .if the price is right then go for it .ANY used van bought privately must be bought with the knowledge that your probably going to spend between £200 to a £1000 to get it right to your own requirements but you will probably have saved two or three times that over what a dealer charges .
Quote: ANY used van bought privately must be bought with the knowledge that your probably going to spend between £200 to a £1000 to get it right to your own requirements but you will probably have saved two or three times that over what a dealer charges .
Just to help me, did you mean 2 or 3 times £200 or £1000? I've been looking at used vans recently. What I have found is that dealer prices are a bit more, but private sales normally come with things like awnings, gas bottles, batteries etc. Is this a reasonable assumption on my part? (sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm currently a tenter thinking about converting to a caravan)
Price is about right for the model and year, according to www.caravanpriceguide.com. Plus, it comes with motor mover, awning and all the other necessary caravan gear. It is also fairly local to us, so that is also a plus becasue we are first-time caravanners and wouldn't have to tow it too far to get home.
The seller has not got back to us yet about viewing it with EHU, so I may be questioning all this for nothing anyway.
Am I right in thinking that most buyers would want to check that everything in the caravan works as should with EHU, leisure battery and gas? Or are we being too picky?
When we bought our brand new van back in Feb 2016 it took many months to get the CRIS document out of CRIS. Many times I chased them. I believe they move offices from Salisbury to Chippenham or something.
I would guess that if you ring them and explain they could confirm that he has applied to have it registered in is name in which case its probably OK.
With regards the EHU etc, you should still be able to see every thing working on gas as long as the battery is charged. Fridge, water heater, blow air heating, toilet flush, motor movers, lights. cooker, oven.
If it works on gas it is probably OK and I would say there is more likely to be a problem on gas if it's been used on EHU all the time.
There should be a service check list, if it's been serviced. There should be one for each year within a few weeks of the anniversary of it being handed over when new. That is important to have right.
Well the seller has not got back to us. I guess it's time to move on.
It's interesting to note that the equipment should all work on gas/battery and EHU is the least likely problem.
Thinking back to our viewing, I did ask the seller if it would be OK for an engineer to take a look at the caravan before making a final decision, and I think he mentioned that it would be awkward because there was no EHU/ or that he would have to pay for the EHU at the site. I don't think I mentioned EHU at that time.
Also, the caravan has not been serviced for at least one year. The seller has owned the caravan for one year and has used it for just nine nights because of his wife's ill health. Consequently, he is selling for this reason.
I think we will probably leave it. As I said earlier, the caravan ticks all the boxes (weight, berth, location, etc.) but it is not my preferred layout so I feel fairly indifferent towards it. It would have been fine to try as a first light-weight caravan for a young family. Hopefully the right one will come along soon.
I know some will probably disagree with me, but i think its safer to buy from a reputable dealer. We bought ours from Salop Leisure, although not new, we still had a 12 month warranty. We found a few things that needed sorting. The repairs were done under the warranty with no quibbles.
Wherever you buy from make sure a proper check has been done on thd caravan, especially the gas. Good luck!
------------- Enjoy life while you can, none of us know what's round the corner!
Quote: Originally posted by Tidburyboy on 30/7/2017
Quote: ANY used van bought privately must be bought with the knowledge that your probably going to spend between £200 to a £1000 to get it right to your own requirements but you will probably have saved two or three times that over what a dealer charges .
Just to help me, did you mean 2 or 3 times £200 or £1000? I've been looking at used vans recently. What I have found is that dealer prices are a bit more, but private sales normally come with things like awnings, gas bottles, batteries etc. Is this a reasonable assumption on my part? (sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm currently a tenter thinking about converting to a caravan)
sorry i meant between those figures ,a lot of its down to what you know ,what your capable of doing yourself ,and your own standards ,on ours minor jobs included thorough interior clean to the wifes standards ,i changed the two towing plugs as they were iffy ,while doing that i found the alko hitch had been used with grease so had to de-grease and change the inserts ,then greased all grease nipples and changed override brake cable .thats all the necessary work that needed doing about £50 worth and a few hours ,but i stress i have had caravans for years and know what i'm doing .
any other extras will push up the price depends again on wants ,needs and circumstances ,i.e we have had a new motor mover fitted at home £700 ,sold the full size awning that came with the van and bought a air awning balance cost £500 ,,other luxuries include a memory foam mattress topper £15 reduced in dunelm mills,and i have just bought a alko jack and heavy duty jack supports £60 off e.bay .
so basically depends on what depth you go into and your own standards ,these can only be found out with experience .most used caravans from dealers have been stripped to bare essentials by the previous owners and/or the dealers so your buying a serviced caravan at there inflated price and will then have to source things like water and waste masters plus pipes etc .i also have to factor in a couple of weeks of going to see used vans privately and in dealers about 600 miles worth of travel in total .
Just for information, our service engineer has a generator in the back of his caravan, so that he can check out all the 240v equipment on caravans that he services, or checks.
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Topic: Walk away or not
