When Is the Best Time to Buy a Caravan, Motorhome or Campervan?

If you're thinking about buying a caravan, motorhome or campervan, you might be wondering whether there is a best time of year to buy.

Should you wait until winter? Buy before the summer season? Look for end-of-season deals? Or buy when the latest models arrive?

The answer depends on what matters most to you.

The best time to buy isn't necessarily when the lowest-priced vehicle appears. Choice, availability, part exchange, new model launches and how soon you want to start travelling can all be just as important.

At United British Caravans in North Gosforth, Newcastle, we sell new and used caravans, motorhomes and campervans throughout the year. Here's our guide to deciding when the time is right to buy.

Is Autumn a Good Time to Buy a Caravan?

Autumn can be an excellent time to start looking.

As the main summer touring season draws to a close, dealerships begin preparing for the next model year and new vehicles start arriving.

That can create an interesting period where customers may be able to compare remaining current-model stock with newly introduced models.

For some buyers, a new model with the latest specification will be the priority.

For others, an available vehicle from the previous model year may represent an attractive opportunity.

The important thing is to compare the actual specification and price rather than assuming that newer automatically means better for your particular requirements.

End-of-Season Caravan Deals

The phrase “end-of-season sale” can make it sound as though caravanning simply stops when summer ends.

It doesn't.

Many people tour throughout autumn and winter, but the traditional summer season does influence buying patterns.

Dealers may want to make space for incoming models, which can result in offers on selected vehicles.

This can make autumn particularly interesting if you are flexible about specification, colour or layout.

However, heavily discounted vehicles that genuinely suit your requirements can sell quickly. Waiting indefinitely for a further reduction can sometimes mean losing the vehicle altogether.

New Model Year Arrivals

One of the most exciting times to buy is when manufacturers introduce their latest ranges.

New model years can bring changes to:

• Interior design

• Upholstery

• Exterior styling

• Equipment levels

• Technology

• Layouts

• Optional equipment

• Construction

• Weights and specifications

For buyers who like having the latest specification, this can be the ideal time to order or purchase.

United British Caravans represents a range of leading manufacturers, including Bailey, Coachman, ERIBA, Etrusco and ACE, giving customers the opportunity to compare very different approaches to leisure vehicle design.

Should I Buy Before Spring?

Spring is naturally a popular time to think about caravans, motorhomes and campervans.

The days are getting longer, holidays are being planned and many people suddenly decide that this is the year they're going touring.

The advantage of buying before the season starts is obvious: your vehicle is ready when you want to use it.

The disadvantage is that popular models and layouts may attract increased demand.

If you already know that you want to be touring next spring or summer, starting your search during autumn or winter can give you more time to find the right vehicle without feeling pressured into making a quick decision.

Is Winter a Good Time to Buy?

Absolutely.

Winter is often overlooked by first-time buyers, but it can be a very sensible time to visit a dealership.

You can take your time looking at layouts, comparing models and deciding exactly what you need before the main touring season begins.

It is also an excellent opportunity to think beyond the vehicle itself.

If you're buying your first caravan, for example, you may also need to consider an awning, security equipment, water and waste equipment, towing accessories and other touring essentials.

Getting everything organised before spring means your first trip doesn't have to begin with a frantic shopping list.

What About Buying in Summer?

There is nothing wrong with buying during summer.

In fact, there's one enormous advantage:

you can start using your new vehicle immediately.

If you've found the right caravan, motorhome or campervan and it's available, waiting several months purely because somebody says another season is “better” may make little sense.

A summer purchase can potentially give you several months of touring before winter.

For many customers, the value of actually using and enjoying their vehicle outweighs waiting for a theoretical future deal.

When Is the Best Time to Buy a Used Caravan?

Used caravans are slightly different because every vehicle is individual.

You cannot necessarily wait for another identical one to arrive.

The specification, condition, age, history and layout of a particular used caravan can make it difficult to replace.

Good used examples of desirable layouts can attract considerable interest.

If you find the right used caravan at a price you're comfortable with, the best time to buy may simply be when you find it.

This is particularly true if you have very specific requirements.

When Is the Best Time to Buy a Used Motorhome or Campervan?

The same principle applies.

Used motorhomes and campervans vary enormously in mileage, specification, condition and equipment.

A particularly desirable model with the right layout and specification may not be easily replaced once sold.

Rather than trying to predict the cheapest month of the year, we'd recommend deciding:

What do I actually want?

Once you know that, you can recognise a good opportunity when it appears.

Buying When New Models Are Released

The arrival of a new model year can create opportunities at both ends of the market.

Some customers immediately want the latest model.

Others deliberately look for the outgoing version.

Neither approach is wrong.

An outgoing model can sometimes offer excellent value, particularly where the differences between model years aren't important to you.

Equally, a new model may include changes that make it significantly better suited to your needs.

Compare them rather than simply looking at the year printed on the specification sheet.

When Should I Part Exchange My Current Caravan or Motorhome?

If you're changing an existing leisure vehicle, your part exchange forms part of the overall deal.

Don't focus exclusively on the advertised price of the vehicle you're buying.

The important figure is effectively the cost to change.

A seemingly large discount may be less attractive if accompanied by a lower part-exchange valuation.

Likewise, another deal may initially appear more expensive but produce a better overall changeover figure.

At United British Caravans, we're happy to discuss your existing caravan, motorhome or campervan as part of your next purchase.

Should I Wait for a Sale?

Sales and promotions can provide genuine opportunities, particularly on selected stock.

But we'd be cautious about choosing the wrong vehicle simply because it has the biggest discount.

Imagine saving money on a layout you don't really like and then spending every holiday wishing you'd bought the other one.

The right vehicle at a fair price is usually a better purchase than the wrong vehicle at an enormous discount.

Look at the complete package:

• Purchase price

• Specification

• Layout

• Condition

• Warranty

• Part-exchange value

• Dealer support

• Availability

• How well the vehicle suits you

When Is the Best Time for a First-Time Buyer?

For a first-time buyer, we'd suggest allowing yourself plenty of time.

You have more decisions to make because you haven't yet discovered which features genuinely matter to you.

Visit dealerships.

Walk through different layouts.

Sit in the lounges.

Try the beds.

Look at the kitchens and washrooms.

Think about where everything you take on holiday will actually go.

If you're buying a caravan, consider your tow car and the relevant weights.

If you're looking at motorhomes or campervans, think about where you'll store and park the vehicle as well as how you'll use it.

Starting early gives you the luxury of making those decisions without rushing.

Don't Forget the Cost of Waiting

Waiting for the perfect deal has a cost that doesn't appear on an invoice:

holidays you could have been enjoying.

If you've found the right vehicle, can comfortably afford it and are happy with the deal, waiting another six months in the hope of saving a little more isn't automatically the best decision.

A caravan, motorhome or campervan is ultimately something you buy to use.

For many owners, some of their favourite memories come from spontaneous weekends away rather than carefully planned summer holidays.

So, When Is the Best Time to Buy?

There isn't one month that is perfect for everybody.

Autumn can be excellent for outgoing-model opportunities and seeing new ranges arrive.

Winter gives you time to research and prepare before the next season.

Spring puts you in position for a full season of touring.

Summer lets you buy and start enjoying your vehicle immediat