Buying Your First Motorhome

*This blog post has been updated for 2024

Warm summers, sunny skies and the chance to enjoy a healthier outdoor life are all incentive enough to invest in your first motorhome – with the added benefit of being able to take to the open road and still have somewhere to stay while avoiding the soaring cost of accommodation when travelling abroad. 

So, what’s likely to be involved in buying your first motorhome?

Your budget

• before spending any significant amount of money, of course, one of the first things to consider is your budget;
• motorhome finance gives you a simple and straight forward way of spreading the cost of your purchase – and, in so doing, may let you buy the motorhome you really want;
• Consider additional costs such as insurance, maintenance, and potential parking or storage fees when not in use, ensuring these expenses fit within your overall budget;
• Research the market thoroughly to understand the pricing trends and get the best value for your investment.

Types of motorhome finance

• if you have chosen motorhome finance, there is still the question of the type of agreement likely to suit your particular needs and circumstances;
• specialist motorhome finance providers, for example, may be able to offer options including hire purchase, lease purchase or Personal Contract Purchase (PCP);
• Consider any early repayment charges or penalties that might apply if you decide to settle the finances early.

Your motorhome

• with the flexibility and breadth of options given by your chosen method of motorhome finance, you are free to choose the leisure vehicle itself;
• they are many and varied, featuring a whole range of sizes, types of design and construction, manoeuvrability and, of course, price;
• the Camping and Caravan Club offers a useful online guide on where to buy a new or used motorhome – and with the appropriate motorhome finance deal you may have the money ready and waiting to make your choice;
• Assess the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact, especially if you plan to travel extensively;
• Ensure that the motorhome meets safety standards and comes with a warranty or guarantee for peace of mind.

The type of motorhome

• motorhomes and other leisure vehicles come in such a huge range of types and styles that you are likely to be spoilt for choice;
• the website Out and About Live suggests that you begin to narrow down that choice by writing your personalised “wish list”;
• this is likely to be informed by the way in which you intend to use your leisure vehicle – if it is mainly for touring, of course, you are likely to make manoeuvrability a priority, whereas holidays pitched mostly on the same site are likely to call for the added comfort and luxury of a larger vehicle;
• Take into account the number of people who will regularly travel with you, ensuring there is adequate sleeping and living space for everyone;
• Consider the resale value of the motorhome, as some models and brands retain their value better than others.

Layout

• size may not be everything, though, since the skill and innovation of today’s motorhome designers means that creativity in the layout of your leisure vehicle wrings out every last ounce of the usable space;
• a buyers’ guide published by AutoTrader, for instance, suggests that you consider the relative advantages of double beds that swing down from the roof over the seating area at the front of the vehicle, those that have their own sleeping compartment at the rear, or beds which fold in half to free up extra space when they are not being used;
• in addition to the sleeping arrangements, also consider the importance you attach to the onboard galley or kitchen, washroom and toilet, and storage space.
• Look for layouts that offer a good balance between daytime and nighttime use, particularly if you plan to spend long periods inside the vehicle;
• Consider the ease of access to essential services and utilities in the motorhome, such as water, electricity, and waste disposal systems.

In the expectation of still more fine and sunny summers in which to enjoy the outdoor life and freedom of the open road, therefore, you might want to give serious thought to investing in your first motorhome. Beyond the practicalities and aesthetics of your choice, consider the environmental impact of your new leisure vehicle. Modern motorhomes are increasingly designed with sustainability in mind, featuring more efficient engines, solar panels, and materials sourced from sustainable suppliers. These features not only reduce your carbon footprint but can also offer savings on fuel and maintenance costs in the long run.

Prefer a Caravan? Checkout our Caravan Finance offering instead.

Header image credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/white-and-brown-rv-trailer-near-body-of-water-and-pink-flowers-BqNRovgWwDg