What is it worth? Buying or Selling an older caravan

Another common question we see asked frequently and often directly to us is:

How much is my van worth, or is XYZ van for sale a good deal?

This is a difficult question with many factors to consider, so let’s discuss some of the things that will help you make an informed decision:

• Is the caravan registered? A registered van can save you considerable potential problems and unforeseen costs.
• If it is not registered, how will you identify it for rego?
• Does the van present with water damage? Water damage can be costly to repair and if it is a timber framed van it can have further hidden damage resulting in even more repair costs!
• What condition is the body in? A severely dented body, or one with hail damage can make it difficult to insure, and as such will likely require repair which can be costly.
• Does the van have a 12v system fitted, or is it just 240v AC? Without a DC battery system, you will be limited to staying in caravan parks or being parked at home. A basic DC battery system can start from as little as $800 but similarly go up to well over $8000 for a quality, off-grid capable system
• What do you want to do with the van? Are you a caravan park-only type of person, is it for onsite accommodation, or do you want to ‘free camp’ your way around Australia with it?
• Assuming the van will require repairs or modifications to suit your needs, who will perform the work? If you plan to do it all DIY, then you likely won’t add a dollar value to your time as you are doing it for fun, however, paid work from a caravan repairer will cost money and is generally billed at an hourly rate.
• Note: Most insurers will ONLY recognise labour costs (as part of providing a value) when performed by a registered repair business which is something to consider when thinking of insurance cover
• Have you checked all the commonly found issues on older caravans before purchasing or considering purchase, such as; Z-rail condition, water damage, chassis condition running gear condition etc?

Above are just some of the things that influence what a caravan might be worth, however, one thing we haven’t mentioned which still needs to be considered is; what is it worth to you based on the looks, the model, any nostalgic feelings or just your gut feeling? Whilst these aspects may not be the basis to make a logical decision, they still help inform value to each individual. Our point here is; whilst YOU may think something is overpriced, everyone is different, including how we value things, so this should be considered and respected, especially if you’re considering making a comment/statement in a public forum.

If all of the above sounds too complicated or daunting, talk to us about our Online Pre-purchase Consultation Service: https://revotek.com.au/buyinganoldcaravan/  

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us: sales@revotek.com.au via our online enquiry form: https://bit.ly/42uEqYQ or at: https://revotek.com.au/contact/