Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are full of caravans and camper trailers for sale — and plenty of good deals. But buying privately means no dealer warranty and no comeback if something goes wrong after you’ve paid. Here’s how to protect yourself.
Red flags in the listing
- A price that seems too good to be true
- Only a few photos, or none of the interior or underneath
- Vague descriptions like “needs a bit of TLC” or “minor water damage”
- No registration details or VIN in the listing
- The seller pushes for a deposit before you’ve seen the van
Questions to ask the seller
- How long have you owned it, and why are you selling?
- When was it last serviced? Do you have records?
- Has it ever had water leaks or damage repaired?
- Has it been in an accident or had an insurance claim?
- Is there any money owing on it?
- Can I see it hitched up and towed?
When you go to see it
- Inspect it in daylight, and ideally not straight after rain (fresh rain can hide or exaggerate leaks)
- Check the registration, VIN and compliance plate all match
- Look underneath at the chassis, suspension and brakes
- Test the lights, power, water and appliances
- Roll the awning out and back in
- Press on the floors and walls for soft spots, and trust your nose — musty smells mean moisture
See our full list of 10 things to check before buying a secondhand caravan.
Check for money owing
Before you pay, do a check on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR). It costs a few dollars and tells you whether there’s finance owing or if it’s been reported stolen or written off.
Get an independent inspection
The single best way to avoid a lemon is to have someone who knows caravans look it over before you buy. A pre-purchase inspection from Queensland Mobile Caravan Services checks the chassis, brakes, running gear, electrical systems, water damage and more — and we’ll give you estimated repair costs on the spot, so you know exactly what you’re factoring into your offer.
We come to the seller’s address across Brisbane, Redlands and the Bayside, for vans priced from $15,000 to $90,000.
Got questions? Give our friendly team a call on 07 3823 3520 — we’re happy to talk you through what to look out for before you buy.