Questions To Ask When Buying A Used Caravan

Knowing what to ask is just as important as knowing what to look for. The right questions reveal information that an inspection alone can’t, and they help you read the seller’s confidence and honesty. Ask these before, during, and after your inspection. Honest sellers answer openly; evasive sellers should set off alarm bells.

Good questions get good information. Evasive answers get you walking away.

Questions To Ask Before You Visit

“Why are you selling?” The answer tells you a lot. “We’ve finished our lap and bought a motorhome” is different from “we’ve had ongoing issues with it.” Listen for what they don’t say as much as what they do.

“Has the van had any water damage, insurance claims, or major repairs?” Ask directly. Sellers are legally obligated to disclose known defects in most states. Get the answer in writing (text message or email) before you travel to inspect.

“What’s the van’s ATM, Tare weight, and ball weight?” These should match the compliance plate. If the seller doesn’t know, they either haven’t owned it long or haven’t paid attention to important details.

“Is the van under finance?” If yes, the finance must be paid out before title can transfer. Verify with a PPSR check ($2) regardless of the answer.

“Do you have the service history?” A yes with receipts is ideal. A no isn’t a dealbreaker but reduces your ability to verify the van’s maintenance history.

Questions To Ask During Inspection

“When were the bearings last repacked?” Wheel bearings should be repacked every 10,000km or annually. If the answer is “I’m not sure” or “never,” budget $200 to $400 for immediate bearing service.

“When were the brakes last checked?” Electric brakes wear and need adjustment. If the van has done 20,000km+ without a brake service, budget for one.

“How old are the batteries?” Lead-acid batteries last 3 to 5 years; lithium lasts 7 to 10. Batteries near end of life are a significant replacement cost ($200 to $1,500+).

“How old are the tyres?” Check the DOT code yourself, but ask the seller too. Tyres over 5 years old should be replaced regardless of tread depth ($150 to $300 per tyre).

“When was the gas system last certified?” Gas compliance certificates are required in most states. An expired certificate means you need a new inspection before the van is legally compliant.

“What modifications have been done?” Aftermarket solar, batteries, suspension upgrades, or structural changes should be documented. Ask who did the work and whether it was done by a qualified professional. DIY electrical work, in particular, can be a safety and insurance issue.

“Has anything been replaced or repaired recently?” New sealant, fresh paint, or replaced panels can be legitimate maintenance or they can be covering up problems. Ask why the work was done.

“What’s included in the sale?” Annex, awning walls, levelling gear, power leads, water hoses, weight distribution hitch, solar panels (if portable), and other accessories. Get a written list of what’s included versus what the seller is keeping.

Questions To Ask About Usage

“How often was the van used?” A van that’s been used fortnightly for 5 years has had regular exercise (good for seals, systems, and moving parts). A van that sat in storage for 3 years and was used twice may have deteriorated seals, flat-spotted tyres, and dried-out plumbing.

“Where has the van travelled?” Extensive corrugated outback roads put more stress on chassis, suspension, and joints than sealed highway driving. A van that’s done 50,000km on sealed roads is in very different condition to one that’s done 50,000km including 20,000km of corrugated outback tracks.

“Has the van ever been bogged, flooded, or caught in severe weather?” These events can cause hidden damage that doesn’t present immediately.

Red Flag Answers

Walk away if you hear any of these:

“I don’t want an inspector looking at it.” No legitimate reason to refuse an inspection.

“I need a quick sale / cash only / no paperwork.” Possible stolen vehicle, finance encumbrance, or undisclosed write-off.

“It just needs a bit of work.” The seller knows about a problem and is downplaying it. Find out exactly what “a bit of work” means and get a quote before proceeding.

“I’ve only owned it for a few months.” Short ownership may mean they discovered problems after purchase and are passing the van on. Ask why they’re selling so soon.

Vague or inconsistent answers about the van’s history. If the story doesn’t add up, the van probably has a history the seller doesn’t want you to know about.