Buying a used camper van: Checklist & tips

Wilma, Fred or Woody: these are the names of some of our employees' beloved campers here at Off. The fact that almost half of all camper owners give their vehicle a name shows that having your own camper is simply a lot more than just a vehicle in the garage. It's more like a home on four wheels. A place where you can create vacation memories and where the vacation feeling is right on your doorstep. Buying a campervan can be particularly worthwhile for spontaneous decision-makers and big camping fans. But, regardless of whether it's a campervan, panel van or motorhome: the purchase should be well thought out and the vehicle should be carefully inspected before buying - so that the camper actually provides a lot of vacation feeling and very little stress. That's why you'll find important tips here for making decisions before buying a camper van and a checklist to help you inspect a used camper van.

Before you start looking for your dream vehicle, it's best to first think about which camper suits you - and your way of traveling, of course!

First of all, it is important to be clear about what you want to use your camper for. And what aspects you don't want to do without under any circumstances. You can ask yourself the following questions, for example:

The more thought you give to these questions in advance, the easier it will be to find your home on four wheels. Depending on how you answer them, a campervan, panel van or motorhome may be the best choice for you. One comparison of campervans and their advantages and disadvantages can be found in our blog article.

The question of the condition of your camper is also one of the basics that you should clarify before buying a camper. Older campers are cheaper and often have an individual charm. Many people who buy an old, well-preserved VW camper van can still get a lot out of it. However, you should also have some technical knowledge. If you would rather have a vehicle that is easier to maintain and more reliable, but new camper vans are too expensive, a young used camper may be the right choice for you. With the campervans we sell at Off, for example, are new vehicles from model year 2021 to 2023, which usually have one to two years of travel experience - they are more affordable than a completely new vehicle, but still have many trips ahead of them.

If you decide to buy a used camper van, you will find a step-by-step guide below in the blog article on what to look out for when viewing.

Another important decision concerns the question of which brand your camper should have. Some brands and models are the undisputed favorites in the camping industry. These include campers and motorhomes from VW, Knaus and Bürstner. Buying a VW Bulli is the dream of many, as the model is a real cult camper (do you already know the history of the VW Bulli?). However, especially with used camper vans, it can sometimes be worth checking out offers for less well-known models or brands, as you can sometimes find similar quality at a lower price.

After these decisions, it gets exciting! You can start looking for the right camper for you. Especially if you want to buy a used camper van, there are a few points to consider when viewing it. Because this appointment can sometimes be associated with nervousness, our tip to you is: it's best to proceed step by step and take your time to look at everything. This reduces the risk of overlooking something that you only notice afterwards and that may lead to annoying costs. We also recommend that you write down any damage you discover. This way, you have everything at a glance and can make an overall assessment. Our checklist will help you not to forget anything important:

The very first thing you should do when buying a camper or motorhome is to take a close look at the vehicle documents. Pay attention to the following questions:

It is also important to enquire about the key data of the campervan that may soon be yours. This includes, for example:

💡Tip for a useful tool: tread depth gauge

When checking the exterior condition of the vehicle, the motto is: always work from component to component and from front to back:

💡Tip for a useful aid: a second person 😉

Your eye for detail is required in the interior: you should take a look in every corner, inspect the equipment and try out the important functions. Check the cupboards and drawers, doors, lift-up bed, fridge, gas hob, table and swivel chairs and check that everything works perfectly. You should also check the camper or motorhome for moisture before buying: Is there moisture anywhere, is there mould or mildew stains? Are there any water stains on the walls or furniture that indicate water damage? It is also best to ask whether the vehicle has been regularly checked for moisture and whether there has already been any water damage. If you are unsure about this, you can also have a moisture measurement carried out before buying a campervan.

Another tip: Carefully press down the surfaces of the interior or the equipment. If you hear noises that shouldn't be there or surfaces that should be solid give way, you should investigate further.

💡Tip for a useful tool: torch

One of the most important components of your future campervan or motorhome is undoubtedly the engine. In the engine compartment, you can check all mats and hoses and look for rubbing points and bite marks (e.g. from martens). The engine should be free of oil drips. If a puddle forms under the vehicle, this is a sign that you should be careful. Black traces indicate oil, pink residues on components indicate coolant. All fluid levels are then checked.

💡Tip for a useful aid: a second person 😉

You should also check the electronics, heating and plumbing before buying a campervan. You can check the lights and lamps together with the seller: If he/she is sitting in the vehicle and operates them, you can check that the lights are working. Next, check the functions of the radio and on-board computer. The music can also be turned up a little during this test! 🎉 Full of vigour because of the good music, you can then also check whether the sockets, air conditioning, possibly an electric step and other electrical devices are working. If your campervan has heating, you should also switch it on and test it. Check whether the taps and drains are working and inspect the toilet, sink and shower tray for cracks. It's also a good idea to take a look at the fresh water tank so that you can detect any soiling. In this blog article, you can find out more about how to clean the clean the water tank in your motorhome yourself.

Wow, that was a lot of points to check off! Once you've done that, the more fun part of your inspection before buying the campervan awaits: the test drive, yay! Important: No matter how much you still feel the good sound from checking the radio ... 💃 On the test drive, you should switch off the radio again and only listen to the sounds of the vehicle. In any case, the most important thing is how you feel when driving and whether you feel comfortable at the wheel of the vehicle. You can also keep the following points in mind during the test drive:

A tip: To test the function of the brakes properly, you can perform an emergency stop at low speed. Of course, make sure that you do this in a place where there are no cars behind you.

You've done it! With the checklist, you have checked the really important functions of the camper step by step. At the end, go through all the points that you have noticed and weigh up how important they are for you.

If you are looking for a campervan to buy, you can also take a look at our Off Campers. At Off, we don't just rent out campervans, panel vans and motorhomes, we also sell them. The new vehicles from the years 2022 to 2023 (and occasionally 2021) usually only have one or two years of travelling experience behind them. They include models from VW, Mercedes Benz, Opel and Pössl. An overview of the currently available models can be found here.

So that you can really try out your camper - on a test drive deluxe, so to speak ✨ - we also offer you free trial camping. This means that we will refund up to €2,500 of your campervan hire if you subsequently buy a campervan from us within 6 months.

If you are interested in a model, Felix and Christoph, our sales experts, are on hand to offer you advice and assistance. You can easily make an appointment for a consultation or viewing via our contact form. All further information about buying a campervan from Off can be found here.

We take with us: There's a lot to consider when buying a campervan. But with our checklist, there's much less that can go wrong and you can systematically get an impression of the campervan you're viewing. And then: yes, hopefully you will soon sign a purchase contract and be the proud owner of a campervan, panel van or motorhome. One in which many great holidays and camping adventures await you! So: off to new adventures 💚

But wait, stop: one very important question is still missing: what name will YOUR new home on four wheels have? 😇