You've been scrolling through AutoTrader and Facebook for weeks now. That Coachman Laser at £2,000 less than dealer price looks tempting, doesn't it? The private seller seems genuine enough in their messages. They've got photos, a service history (well, most of it), and they're just over in Chesterfield. What could possibly go wrong?
Here's the thing. When you're about to spend fifteen, twenty, maybe thirty thousand quid on a caravan, "what could go wrong" becomes a question that should keep you awake at night. And honestly, that's exactly why more savvy buyers are heading straight to dealers instead of taking a punt on private sales.
Let's talk about warranties, because this is where the rubber really hits the road. When you buy from a reputable dealer, you're getting proper warranty cover as standard. Not some vague promise scribbled on the back of a receipt, but legitimate, comprehensive protection that actually means something when things go sideways.
Most dealers offer at least a year's comprehensive warranty covering both body and mechanical components. The really good ones go further, with unlimited claims up to the value of your caravan. Think about that for a second. If you discover water ingress three months after purchase, you're covered. If the heating system packs in during your first winter trip to the Lake District, you're covered. If multiple issues crop up that suggest dodgy build quality, you've got proper recourse.
Buy privately? You're on your own, mate. The second you tow that Coachman Laser away, any problems become your problems. And caravan repairs aren't cheap. A single issue with water ingress can easily run into thousands of pounds. Suddenly that £2,000 saving doesn't look quite so clever.
Now, consumer rights might sound boring, but stick with me because this is crucial. When you purchase from a dealer, you've got the full weight of the Consumer Rights Act 2015 behind you. This is proper UK legislation that protects you in ways private sales simply don't.
Try claiming those rights from someone you bought from on Facebook Marketplace. Good luck with that.
You know what keeps coming up in forums and buyer horror stories? Scams. Not everyone selling privately is dodgy, obviously. Most people are decent and honest. But the ones who aren't can cost you everything.
There's the classics: stolen caravans with fake documentation, vans with outstanding finance that gets repossessed from you three months later, sellers who disappear after taking your deposit. Some bloke flogging a "mint condition" Coachman Laser that turns out to have more damp than a Blackpool basement in November.
Dealers eliminate this risk entirely. They conduct proper checks. They verify ownership through HPI checks. They ensure there's no outstanding finance. They're registered businesses with reputations to protect and Trading Standards breathing down their necks. If they sold you a stolen caravan, they'd be out of business faster than you can say "National Caravan Council."
Unless you've got twenty grand burning a hole in your pocket, you're probably looking at finance options. And this is another area where dealers simply dominate.
Dealers have established relationships with finance providers like Black Horse and Hitachi. They can offer competitive rates, flexible terms, and the whole process is streamlined. You can sort your finance and drive away with your new Coachman Laser in the same visit. Many offer part-exchange deals where your old caravan's value gets deducted from your new purchase, reducing your finance amount.
If you pay using a credit card for any portion over £100, you've also got Section 75 protection under the Consumer Credit Act. That means your credit card company is jointly liable if something goes wrong. That's proper protection right there.
Trying to arrange finance for a private sale? Good luck with that. You're looking at unsecured personal loans with higher interest rates from your bank, assuming you can even get approved. Banks aren't falling over themselves to finance private purchases because there's more risk involved. No dealer guarantees, no warranty, no comeback if something's wrong.
Walk into a dealer and you're talking to people who live and breathe caravans. They know towing capacities, payload limits, which layouts work best for families versus couples, whether that Coachman Laser 665 is better suited to your needs than the 650. They understand MTPLM, noseweight, and all the technical bits that can leave you scratching your head.
That matters more than you might think. Buy the wrong caravan because you didn't understand payload calculations, and you could end up with an illegal, dangerous setup. Choose a model that's too heavy for your Kuga, and you're facing an expensive vehicle upgrade. Pick a layout that sounds good on paper but is impractical in reality, and every trip to Scarborough becomes frustrating.
Private sellers know their own caravan, sure. They can tell you about their experiences touring the Cotswolds or that lovely site in Cornwall. But they're not caravan specialists. They don't have the breadth of knowledge to properly advise you. And let's be honest, some will tell you exactly what you want to hear just to close the sale.
Here's something people often overlook until they need it: after-sales support. When you buy from a dealer, you're not just getting a caravan. You're establishing a relationship with a business that's invested in keeping you happy.
Got a question three months down the line about your Truma heating system? Ring your dealer. Need advice about winterising before storing it until spring? They'll walk you through it. Discovered a minor issue that's not quite warranty territory but you'd like looked at? They'll often sort it at cost or even throw it in for goodwill.
Many dealers offer servicing packages, genuine parts departments, and ongoing support. Some run loyalty programmes with exclusive discounts on accessories and awnings. The Caravan and Motorhome Club approved dealers scheme means you're dealing with businesses that meet strict criteria. You're becoming part of their customer base, which means they want to keep you sweet for future business and referrals.
Buy privately and you're completely alone. Every question means trawling Practical Caravan forums at midnight. Every issue means finding and paying a mobile engineer who may or may not turn up. Every service means shopping around for quotes with no established relationship anywhere.
Dealers are required to be transparent about pricing. That figure on the windscreen includes VAT and clearly shows any additional costs like delivery, registration, or optional extras. You know exactly what you're paying and what you're getting for it.
Private sales can be murkier. Is that price negotiable? Probably, but by how much? Are there hidden issues they're hoping you won't spot during a quick viewing at their storage facility in Worksop? Maybe. Do they genuinely own it outright with no finance attached? You'd better hope so. The whole transaction carries an element of uncertainty that you simply don't get with a professional dealer.
And let's talk about viewing the caravan. At a dealer, it's cleaned, prepped, and presented properly. You can properly inspect it in a controlled environment at their premises. Most dealers are happy for you to spend as much time as you need checking everything over with a damp meter. Some even offer test tows if applicable.
Private viewings can be rushed, awkward affairs. The caravan's tucked away in storage near Mansfield. The seller's keen to crack on because they've got to pick the kids up from football. You feel pressured to make a decision without really having time to thoroughly check everything. It's not ideal conditions for making a major financial decision.
Already own a caravan? This is where dealers really shine. They'll assess your current van and offer a trade-in value, which gets deducted from your new purchase price. Simple, clean, done.
The alternative is selling privately yourself, which means all the hassle we've been discussing but in reverse. You're the one dealing with time-wasters, awkward viewings at your storage site, potential scammers, and the stress of negotiating. You're the one arranging payment and worrying about whether that bank transfer is legitimate. You're the one stuck with your old Bailey taking up space while you're trying to sell it.
Dealers handle all that faff for you. Sure, you might get slightly more selling privately if you're lucky and patient, but you'll work for every penny of that difference. For most people, the convenience of part-exchange is worth far more than a few hundred quid.
Nobody wants to think about major failures, but they happen. Water ingress, chassis problems, appliance failures, delamination. When you've bought from a dealer with a proper warranty, you've got a clear path to resolution. You contact them, explain the issue, and they arrange for it to be assessed and repaired, often at an approved workshop with no upfront cost to you.
The really comprehensive dealer warranties cover repairs anywhere in the country, not just "return to supplying dealer" which is useless if you bought in Kent and the problem crops up in Scotland. Some even include European cover if you're touring through France or Spain. That's proper peace of mind.
Bought privately? Every repair is out of your pocket. You're finding your own workshops, negotiating prices, paying upfront, and hoping you've chosen someone competent. A major issue could cost thousands, or even write the caravan off financially. There's no safety net whatsoever.
Before a dealer puts a used Coachman Laser on their forecourt, it goes through preparation. They're checking every component and operation. Tyres, brakes, electrics, gas systems, water systems, the lot. They're looking for issues and sorting them before you take delivery.
Why? Because it's in their interest to sell you something that works properly. Comebacks cost them money and damage their reputation with the NCC and Trading Standards. So they invest time and resources into making sure each caravan is actually fit for sale.
Private sellers might give their van a clean and cross their fingers. Unless they're mechanically minded and unusually conscientious, they're probably not conducting thorough checks across every system. They might not even know there's a problem lurking with the ATC system or the mover. But that doesn't stop it becoming your problem the moment money changes hands.
Look, buying a caravan from a dealer costs a bit more upfront. Nobody's denying that. But you're not just paying for the caravan itself. You're paying for warranty cover that could save you thousands. For Consumer Rights Act protection that actually has teeth. For expert advice that helps you make the right choice. For after-sales support when you need it. For transparency and professionalism throughout the transaction.
You're also avoiding the very real risks that come with private purchases: scams, hidden defects, finance complications, dodgy histories, and sellers who vanish when problems emerge.
Think of it this way. If you buy privately and save £2,000 but then discover £3,000 worth of water damage six months later, you've lost money overall. If you buy from a dealer, pay that bit extra, but never have to worry because everything's covered under warranty, you've actually saved money in the long run. Not to mention saved yourself enormous stress and hassle.
Honestly, for something as significant as a caravan purchase, the dealer route just makes sense. Yes, it costs more initially. But what you're getting for that extra outlay is worth every single penny when you're sat in your perfectly functioning Coachman Laser on a campsite in the Dales, not stuck on the phone trying to track down a seller who's stopped answering your calls.
The peace of mind alone is priceless. Everything else is just a bonus.
13/10/2025
The NEC Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show is the biggest week in the UK touring calendar. The air buzzes with excitement, the halls shine with new models, and it’s the best place to compare caravans and motorhomes side by side. If you’re wondering how to buy at the NEC Caravan and Motorhome Show or what to look out for before making a decision, this guide is for you.
11/09/2025
When people ask about entry-level touring caravans, the name that usually comes up first is the Sprite. And there’s a reason for that. The 2026 Swift Sprite range is designed for couples and families who want the reliability of a Swift build without the premium price tag. It’s practical, stylish, and straightforward.
If you’re new to caravanning, or maybe you’re looking to downsize, the Swift Sprite range is the perfect place to start.
11/09/2025
If there’s one caravan that stands out from the crowd, it’s the Basecamp. Lightweight, rugged and designed for adventure, it’s the crossover caravan that blurs the line between leisure and lifestyle.
For 2026, Swift have streamlined the line-up. The Basecamp 3 and 4 have been discontinued, leaving just the Basecamp 2 – the original compact two-berth that put Basecamp on the map.
So what’s different this year, who’s it for, and where can you see it in person?
Let’s talk Basecamp.