Buy a campervan

Table of contents

• 1. Campervan buying guide

  • 1.1 Where can I buy a van?

  • 1.1.1 CARAVANA.de

  • 1.1.1.1 Lifestyle search

• 2. Buying a campervan: new or used?

  • 2.1 Used campervan: advantages

  • 2.2 New campervan: advantages

  • 2.3 Tips: what to look for

  • 2.3.1 Size and equipment

  • 2.3.2 Condition and inspection

• 3. Buying vs. renting

  • 3.1 Buying: advantages

  • 3.2 Renting: advantages

• 4. Advantages of a campervan

  • 4.1 Freedom and flexibility

  • 4.2 Comfort

  • 4.3 Caravans and campervans compared

• 5. Conclusion

Image by Freepik |

Buying a campervan: the ultimate guide to your home on wheels

In this guide you'll find everything you need to know about buying a van. Let's go through the most important aspects so you can find the perfect campervan for you!

Where can I buy a campervan?

Anyone who wants to buy a campervan often ends up on general vehicle marketplaces, where fake listings and scams are unfortunately common. A much safer alternative is CARAVANA.de.

CARAVANA - marketplace for verified specialist dealers

CARAVANA.de is a specialist dealer portal: only verified specialist dealers are allowed to list here, no private sellers and no fake listings. With over 19,000 vehicles from more than 350 verified dealers, CARAVANA.de is Germany's leading specialist portal for motorhomes and caravans. That means every vehicle on the platform actually exists and is physically on the lot of a verified dealer, and you benefit from the statutory dealer warranty when you buy.

Buy a motorhome

Whether you're looking for a compact campervan or panel van for spontaneous adventures, a semi-integrated motorhome for couples, or a spacious alcove motorhome for the whole family, CARAVANA.de has all vehicle types, new and used, for every budget. The full range is here: Motorhomes on CARAVANA.de

Buy a caravan

If you prefer travelling with a caravan, CARAVANA.de has that covered too, with over 3,700 models from compact to luxury, all from verified specialist dealers. See the overview here: Caravans on CARAVANA.de

Not sure yet which vehicle suits you?

No problem: with the lifestyle search on CARAVANA.de you answer a few short questions about your travel style, whether you travel as a couple, with family or solo, and get matching vehicle recommendations straight away. That way you won't just find any motorhome, but the one that really fits you.

Buying a campervan: used or new? These are the advantages

When buying a campervan, campers often ask themselves: should I buy a used campervan or new? Ultimately the decision comes down to your budget, your expectations and the flexibility you want. Both options have their advantages and it depends on what matters most to you. We've listed the most important advantages here.

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Advantages of a used campervan

A used vehicle has plenty of advantages, especially when it comes to price. Since the purchase cost is much lower than for a new vehicle, you can save a lot of money. Used campervans also often already come with used campervans often already come with comprehensive equipment, so you don't need to invest in conversions.

Another advantage is that with a used model there's a chance of getting a higher vehicle class at a lower price than you could get buying new.

Advantages of a new campervan

A new vehicle costs significantly more than a used one, but you can configure the campervan exactly the way you want, from the interior to technical features such as solar panels or new entertainment systems.

You also get the full manufacturer warranty, which gives you more security and lower repair costs in the first years. And the feeling of owning a brand new vehicle is unmatched, with no signs of wear or use.

What to look for when buying a campervan: useful tips

When buying a camper vehicle there are some important points to consider. To make sure you're well prepared and don't miss anything, here are a few useful tips.

The right size and equipment

There are so many different manufacturers and models, which makes it hard to decide. Ask yourself first how many people spaceshould be in your campervan - depending on that, you should choose thesize of the vehicleso that during the holiday there is enough for everyoneenough room.

Make sure that theequipmentmeets your needs, such asnumber of sleeping places, sufficientstorage space,kitchen,shower, etc. What should the sleeping arrangements be like? Do you needsingle bedsor rather adouble bed? How should the space inside the vehicle bearranged?

Unsplash Image by Ion Tolstoy |

Think carefully about what you cannot do without ineveryday holiday life. Based on thesecriteriayou should then choose themodel.

Technical condition and inspections before buying

First check the overallconditionof the vehicle, especially for used vans. This includes theengine,gearbox,brakesandmileage.

Especially withused panel vansyou should also look forrust spotson the body,leaksand thecondition of the tyres.

Also, allelectrical systems, such aslights,heatingandon-board battery, should be checked for functionality.

It is advisable to have aprofessional inspectioncarried out by amechanicto uncover hidden defects.

Atest driveis essential to get to know thefeel of driving on the roadand to assess whether you feel confident driving this particularpanel vanon holiday.

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Buy or rent a campervan?

The decision whether you shouldbuy or rent a panel vandepends on variousfactors.How oftendo you go on camping holidays? Do you already have panel van or motorhomeexperience, or do you want to try out this type of holiday firstwithout commitment? Whatbudgetdo you have available? Do you have aparking spotfor your vehicle when you are not using it? These and other questions are worth asking yourself in advance.

Advantages of buying a campervan

If you have not only planned one trip but want to be on the roadmore oftenand for longer periods on the roads, buying can bebuying a panel vanthe cheaper option in the long run. The fees that come with renting a vehicle add up over time.

With your own panel van you also havemaximum flexibility, since youhave access at any timeand can simply set off. You can alsoyour own van, unlike a rented van,fit out as you wish.

Advantages of renting a campervan

In some cases it can also beadvantageoustorentrather than buy. For example if you don't have much camping experience yet and want to first try out this type of holidayfor yourself.

It can also be a goodstrategy as preparation for a purchaseto firstrent different vehiclesto find outwhich modelsuits you best. This way you can, for example,test in peacewhether you are more comfortable with a largemotorhomeor a smallerpanel van.

Why a campervan? The advantages of van life

Still unsure whethertravelling by vanis right for you? No problem - here you can read about theadvantages of van lifewhich might help you make up your mind!

Be flexible and free

Buying acampervantobuy, is the first step towards boundlessfreedomandadventure. TheVanlifelets you discoverremote places in naturethat are barely accessible to conventional tourists. You are not dependent on hotels or fixed travel plans and canexperience nature up close, whenever and wherever you want. With your own campervan you are completely flexible spontaneous to decide where the journey takes you, and always have everything you need with you.

Comfort on the road - your home on wheels

Whether you're planning spontaneous road trips or longer holidays, your home on wheels always gives you plenty of comfort, because you have your own sleeping, cooking and living space no matter where you stop with your campervan.

Unsplash Image by Manuel Meurisse |

Campervan vs. caravan: a comparison

A campervan or a panel van offers flexibility and mobility, as driving and living are combined in one vehicle. It is more maneuverable and more compact, which is especially useful on spontaneous trips or on narrow roads.

A caravan, on the other hand, is towed by a towing vehicle . You need a suitable car, which is suitable for towing the caravan. Parking parking and maneuvering a caravan often takes some practice. On the other hand, caravans usually offer more sleeping places as well as more storage and living space than camping vans.

Summary: buying a camping van

The purchase of a camping van gives you a lot of freedom, flexibility and comfort for adventures in nature.

Unsplash Image by Tyler Lillico |

There are a few factors to consider, such as the choice between new or used, the right model and the right equipment. With the information in this blog post, you will certainly make the right choice.