So you have a caravan and you’re looking to sell it, trade it in for another one or maybe even just changing your caravan insurance and need to know its value. Regardless of your situation there will come a time you want to know how much your caravan is worth.
We have been valuing caravans for years and we can tell you one thing, it isn’t black and white. Understanding the used touring caravan pricing guide is easier said than done. There are many factors to consider when valuing a caravan, some are out of your hands but some you could rectify to increase the value / desire of your caravan.
Understanding these factors can help you understand if a quotation you have been given is fair or not. Remembering these though is a different objective. Fortunately, though we have come up with an easy way to remember the factors of valuing a caravan. ACCENTS. That’s it. One word that will help you remember the factors of valuing a caravan.
So what are they, so you can see how much your caravan is worth? Well, let’s take a look.
What Factors Determine My Caravans Value And Why Do Caravans Depreciate?
Age
Just like a car, a caravan’s age is a huge factor when considering its value. After all, age is the primary determinant of depreciation. This doesn’t mean a caravan that is older is always going to be lower in value, as the different makes and models maybe more desirable and have a higher specification.
Unfortunately, caravans aren’t like wine and so even the Bailey Bordeaux is destined to depreciate as time goes on.
Condition
When it comes to valuing a caravan, there is nothing more important than its condition. Getting a valuation for a caravan based on its specification, its layout and size is one thing but if none of the specification works and the caravan is full of damp, then expect the value to drop.
An initial valuation from a caravan buyer is based on current market conditions, its age and what type of caravan it is. But when there is damage that needs replacing, this is when repair costs must be considered. It is worth noting that certain minor scuffs / wear and tear is expected and so the initial valuation may stay the same.
Be aware that the things that caravan buyers look for to check its condition is:
- Exterior and interior damage on paintwork and body.
- Any scuffs and scratches on the windows.
- Any damage that is deemed unsafe.
- Damp issues.
- Has it been serviced at an AWS service centre.
- Are the appliances functionally working e.g. the heating system.
- Anything obvious missing e.g. fridge, benches, worktops etc.
If your caravan does come with any visible damages, it is worth seeing if you’d be better off selling it as damaged or getting in fixed beforehand. Sometimes the repairing may not always be the most cost effective option as a caravan buyer may be able to fix it cheaper, making it more cost effective to sell it with the repairs still outstanding.
Current Market
Current market conditions are always a factor of somewhats value. If there is not a demand for a product than its more than likely that it’s not worth anything. Fortunately, caravans are in demand and in certain instances can be extremely popular, especially during the covid pandemic in 2020/21, when international travel was effected.
If you’re trying to figure out how much your caravan is worth by yourself, you are better off going to marketplaces such as eBay, AutoTrader or LeisureBe. Try using filters to see what caravans closely resemble your caravan and see what they are being listed for.
Caravan buyers and dealers like ourselves, use an independent paid for valuation tool called Glass’s Guide. It is the leading industry tool that monitors the market and is used in other industries such as, car, van, static caravans and even boats and has been used to provide accurate valuations since 1933.
As mentioned above though this will provide a valuation based on the current market value of that particular caravan and obviously the price will not consider it’s condition. Give it a go? Fill in your caravan details here and get a free caravan valuation on us >> https://www.caravansuk.co.uk/free-caravan-valuation/
Extras
There are misconceptions when it comes to added extras, whether or not this does add the value of your caravan or not. When we talk about extras we are referring to items such as:
- Solar panels
- Motor movers
- Awnings
- Bike Racks
- E&P Self Levelling
- Upgraded Upholstery
- And so on…
There is a fine line between the caravans value and its saleability. These types of added extras don’t actually increase the value of your caravan but it does make it more saleable. So a caravan buyer / dealer will still offer you the sames price regardless of its added extras however, a customer may be willing to pay more knowing that they don’t have to invest thousands of pounds to get these extras.
So does added extras increase it’s value? Technically no, but if it makes a caravan more desirable to buy, then you could get more money for it than if it didn’t come with the desired extras. Complicated I know.
New Market
This may seem obvious but no one is going to purchase a used caravan at the price of a new one. So if your caravan is only a year or so old be aware of the price of a new caravan. The moment a new caravan has changed ownership, it is classed as used. Despite the fact that you haven’t stepped foot in it and managed to go on holiday, it is still used and it depreciates the moment you take it off the dealers forecourt.
Many sources say that a caravans depreciation rate is similar to a car and on average it is around 15% it depreciates the moment ownership has been allocated to it. VAT has a big part to play in the amount of depreciation you lose.
Time Of Year
The value of your caravan at certain times of year can be dictated mainly on the caravan buyers circumstances. If they are desperate for stock and the demand is high this can affect the price of your caravan. For example, in the winter periods, business can be slow in the caravan industry and so the dealer may have enough stock on the forecourt. However, when it comes to summer if their stock is depleted, then their worry will be ‘where is the next sale going to come from?’. So they may offer more at this time as they can also sell it for more with the demand at its peak.
The same applies when it comes to selling it privately. You can expect a better deal in the winter periods, where as the market starts to heat up around spring / summer. So this is where you can stand your ground when it comes to anyone haggling you down on price – on the basis that your caravan is already fairly priced.
So, similar to the extras, it doesn’t increase caravans value but it can increase its sale price due to the demand.
Size / Layout
We’ve all heard the saying ‘size doesn’t matter’. However, with caravans it does, most of the time. Not just size but layout as well.
As a rule of thumb 4 berths tend to be more desirable than 2 berths. And 6 berths are more desirable than 4 berths. As for 4 berths a fixed bed layout is more desirable than a side dinette and island beds are more desirable than fixed french beds.
So depending on its layout and its size it can have a huge affect on its value. We mentioned that the age of a caravan can affect a caravans value, but depending on the size and layout of it can severely determine the value. For example a 6 berth that is 3 years older than a 2 berth can still be valued higher.
If all is equal, including the year and specification, the bigger the size the most likely it is going to be worth more.
Conclusion
So there we have it. We have explained the key factors of valuing a caravan and our easy method on how to remember it (ACCENTS). Valuing a caravan can be time consuming, as understanding the market isn’t a quick fix. A lot of the time the biggest obstacle is being able to be impartial about your caravan and taking a step back, as a lot of people believe a caravan is worth more than it actually is. This is also probably due to the sentimental value that it has for some owners and their families as well.
Nevertheless, to help you get the most from your caravan, make sure that it is in good working condition and this will increase your chances of achieving the best offer you can get.
Why Not Get A Free Caravan Valuation Here?
If you want to know what your caravan is worth quickly, then simply fill in your details below and we will provide a trade price and a retail price. Trade will indicate what you would get if you part exchange, or sell it directly to a caravan buyer. Whereas, retail is what you’d expect to get if you sell it privately.
If you’re considering to sell it quickly then visit our sell your caravan page and see what options are available for you.
