If you’re buying a motorhome or campervan, you already have a lot to think about. However, there are some common mistakes new buyers make when buying a motorhome in the UK. In this post, I’m going to walk you through the five most common mistakes motorhome buyers make—and how to avoid them!
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Tips for Buying a Motorhome in the UK
I’ve been sharing motorhoming tips for years, and sadly I’ve met plenty of people who regret their motorhome buying decisions because they didn’t know what to look for.
Whilst everyone is different and has different requirements, there are a few common mistakes to avoid and things to check before you sign on the dotted line to buy a motorhome or campervan.
I’ve created a video about these mistakes:
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Can’t watch the video? No worries- you’ll find all the info you need below.
MISTAKE 1: Choosing the Wrong Motorhome Layout
The first common mistake most people make is choosing the wrong layout.
It’s so easy to walk into a van at a show or on a forecourt, look at all the sparkly clean surfaces and fall in love. Trust me, I do it at almost every show I attend, whether as a speaker or a customer.
But it’s essential that you ask yourself some questions BEFORE and AFTER you think you’ve found ‘the one’.
These questions include:
- how many seat belts do you need?
- Do you want a garage to store stuff?
- Do you want a fixed bed (to avoid the faff about making it up every night) or would you prefer a convertible seating area or drop down bed which gives you more room during the day?
- Do you want a dinette with a proper table? How many people will be eating?
- Do you want a bathroom with a toilet and separate shower, a wet room, or are you happy using campsite facilities?
How to avoid this mistake
The best way to avoid buying the wrong motorhome layout is to hire a few different layouts before you buy. That way, you’ll start learning what you like and don’t like.
If you can’t hire, I recommend visiting a motorhome show, where you can sit inside different models and imagine actually using it every day.
When you’re inside, don’t just think about trips during sunny summer days; would you still love that layout in the middle of winter or when it’s been raining for days and you can’t sit outside?
Think about bedtime and when you get up in the morning? Do you and your partner get up and go to bed at the same time? If not, how will the space work? What if you’re travelling with children who go to bed before you?
If you want a list of all the essential things you need to ask yourself, grab the Confident Buyer Checklist below.
MISTAKE 2: Ignoring motorhome payload & weight limits
Not understanding your motorhome payload and weight limits is a mistake which catches loads of people out.
If you don’t know what payload is, this post will talk you through it:
READ MORE: Motorhome Payload and Weight Limits- everything you need to know.
Many UK & European motorhomes are built to stay under 3,500kg, which means anyone can drive them on a standard car licence. If you have a C1 category on your licence, you can drive vehicles which weigh more than that, but there will still be a maximum weight limit on whatever vehicle you buy.
A decent payload is important because it determines hows much ‘stuff’ you can put on your motorhome, as well as how many passengers and pets you can carry.
Sadly, payload gets taken up very quickly: a bike rack, awning, full tanks of water and fuel, food, clothes, a solar panel and all your gear- before you know it you can be over the maximum weight limit of your vehicle.
Being over the limit isn’t just a minor issue—it’s illegal. If you get stopped and your van’s overweight, you could face a fine & points on your licence. Even worse, your insurance will be invalid should you have an accident.
How to avoid this mistake
- Firslty, check your driving licence— what’s the maximum weight vehicle you’re allowed to drive? if you passed after 1997, you’ll need to take a C1 licence to drive anything over 3,500kg.
- Look at the payload over the vehicle you want to buy and add the weights of all the people and pets who will be travelling. How much is left? You need about 80kg of payload weight pp as a minimum, AFTER everyone is on board.
- If you’re buying a second hand motorhome, remember that the previous owner may have added extra kit, so the manufacturer’s published weight isn’t reliable. Instead, take it to a weighbridge to be absolutely sure on your allowance.
Buying a Motorhome in the UK MISTAKE 3: Not paying enough attention to motorhome storage
Sounds silly, but having adequate storage in a motorhome is essential, and many modern campers just don’t have enough of it.
As a way of reducing weight (to stay under the 3500kg limit), some manufacturers have taken out wardrobes and cupboards, leaving a lovely wide open space which seems great when you walk in, but isn’t always practical to spend a lot of time in, especially on a long trip when you take a lot of clothes and kit.
How to avoid this mistake
To avoid buyer’s remorse look for
- storage spaces, including the size of the wardrobe or clothing area
- where will you put pots, pans and crockery?
- If there isn’t a fixed bed, where will you store the bedding during the day?
- Where will you put food, glasses, toilet rolls and the million other little things we all travel with?
You don’t have to plan out every single item, but look at each space and what it’s used for and work out if it’s suitable for you and your plans for the van. If it’s not, move on.
Each time you do this, you’ll get better at recognising which layouts will work best for you.
Don’t forget to download your FREE motorhome buying checklist to help you get the best camper for YOU.
MISTAKE 4: Not Considering Overnight Storage & Parking
This one sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t think about where they’re actually going to park their motorhome once they’ve purchased it.
There are 3 main places people can store a motorhome or camper:
- Driveway
- Street
- Storage unit
If you want to park your van on your driveway, firstly- does it fit? Some driveways just aren’t wide or long enough to park a motorhome on. Will you have a maximum length you need to buy?
If you have gates or walls, can you open the doors properly once the van’s parked up?
Is on-street parking allowed in your area? Will you need a permit and is there space?
If you’re planning to use a storage site, bear in mind that many often have long waiting lists, and they can be pricey—anything from £70 to over £100 a month. It’s worth shopping around but it may not be as easy to find a spot, depending on where you live.
How to avoid this mistake?
- Think about where you’ll store your vehicle. This could very well narrow your options for length or height.
- Measure your driveway or check local parking restrictions before buying—sounds daft, but it’ll save you a headache later!
- Look up storage options near you and even put your name on a waiting list in advance—don’t assume you’ll be able to find a space last minute.
MISTAKE 5: Underestimating Running Costs
Many new owners underestimate the costs when buying a motorhome in the UK. It’s not just the buying price — you also need to think about running costs.
Here are some running costs to consider:
- Insurance, which is sadly getting more and more expensive. Obviously, it varies based on age and vehicle, but you can expect to pay upwards of £600/ year with no or low proof of no claims.
- Road tax – can vary based on the age of the vehicle.
- Servicing & MOTs – expect to pay around £1,000 per year for general maintenance and repairs
- Habitation checks – A hab check looks at your gas, electrics, and damp, checking for issues or damage. They cost around £200-£400 per year. Whilst not legally required, it’s always worth getting them done, especially if you live in your motorhome or spend a lot of time in it.
Plus of course there are things like fuel, breakdown cover, campsite fees, LPG/ gas, club memberships and kit.
Tips for running costs:
- Getting several insurance quotes before you buy—providers can vary hugely!
- Setting aside at least £1,000-£1,500 per year for maintenance and extras.
- If you’re buying an older van, budget for unexpected repairs and insist on a full habitation check before you purchase to avoid hidden expenses, like damp issues or rotten flooring.”
FINAL TIPS
So there you go—the five biggest mistakes new motorhome buyers make and how to avoid them!
But most importantly, don’t rush—take your time and do your research. Salesman are great at sharing offers or upselling you, but take your time and do plenty of research. I want you to love your new motorhome.
