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Buying a second-hand caravan has its pitfalls. To help you protect your legal rights and be aware of some of the common issues Noble Marine have produced this guide to buying a caravan. Please note that we have only addressed the legal aspects of the subject and advise that you should also satisfy yourself that the caravan is in good condition before you consider buying.
Unlike a car there isn't a legal registration document tracking the ownership, in fact unless you are not required to register your caravan at all and many people don't, so checking that the person selling the caravan actually owns the caravan and that there are no outstanding loans secured on the caravan can be difficult.
If you buy privately, you won't be protected legally if the caravan has a hidden history or faults. It's up to you to ask the right questions and to satisfy yourself that the caravan is in good condition before you buy.
Buying a used caravan is essentially a case of 'Buyer Beware'. The onus is on you to make sure the caravan is sound, it's a good idea to get an experienced person or caravan dealer to give the caravan a thorough inspection.
When viewing a caravan you should satisfy yourself that the vendor is knowledgeable about the caravan and has a legitimate reason for the sale. Ask yourself whether the price is similar to other caravans on the market - if a deal looks too good to be true it probably is. You should always arrange to view the caravan at the seller's home address and never in a car park or other public location.
It is important to check whether the caravan has been involved in any accidents or has any large repairs carried out. Most repairs will be guaranteed for 12 months so it is worth finding out the date of the repair and the repairers details in case of any future problems.
Once you are satisfied that the seller is genuine and have agreed an acceptable price you will need to arrange to make payment for the caravan. This is usually carried out by bankers draft or a cash payment can be made. Occasionally the seller may be happy to accept another method of payment but you should be willing to use whichever method they suggest.
The only legal terms that cover a private sale contract are:
- the seller must have the right to sell the caravan
- the caravan should not be misrepresented
- it should match its description
When the sale is complete you should always draw up a buyers contract so that each party can sign and keep a copy. This will act as your purchase receipt and will prove that you are the new owner of the caravan.
Noble Marine have prepared a sample buyers contract for use in private caravan sales. It is always important to keep the purchase receipt and the previous owners details - you may need to prove ownership or contact the previous seller in the future.
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