Motorhomes · Buying guide
Buying a Motorhome
Coachbuilt and A-class layouts, payload maths and the questions to ask before you sign.
A motorhome buys you living space and costs you access. Anything over seven metres will rule out a meaningful number of British campsites and most mountain passes.
Payload is the number that catches people out. A four-berth with a 3,500kg plate can have under 400kg of usable payload once the water tank is full — before bikes, awning and two adults.
Weigh a used example before purchase if you can. Dealers rarely volunteer the figure.
Before you commit
- Check the MIRO against the plated weight and add your own kit list
- Damp survey on anything over five years old, no exceptions
- Habitation service history is as important as the engine's
- Test the heating in the cold, not in a showroom
Next
Once you've picked the vehicle, the next decisions are power and signal.