There are pros and cons of each.
If you’re buying a new or used van from a dealer you’ll get some kind of warranty with the vehicle, something you wouldn’t get from a private seller.
That said, the price of motorhomes from a dealer (even used motorhomes) will be higher than an RV bought privately (as much as 25% higher).
Is it worth paying extra for peace of mind? You’ll have to decide.
Even brand new vehicles are known to have teething problems, requiring visits back to the dealer’s for repairs. For this reason, it might be a good idea to buy a used vehicle that’s been well looked after, had all the teething problems sorted, and has a full service history.
And anyway, if you’re buying new you’ll have to wait. There is often a waiting list of up to 18 months before you’ll be able to drive away in your shiny brand new RV. This is why the used market is so bouyant at the moment.
When it comes to buying from a motorhome show, even though you’ll be able to have a good look around the vehicle you probably won’t be able to test drive it at the show. This is something you’d need to arrange with the dealer for another time. We say ALWAYS TEST DRIVE BEFORE YOU BUY!
Our ebook How to Find Your Perfect Motorhome covers these things in more detail.
