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Whether you buy from a dealer or privately, the benefit, or detriment, of either option can often  be down to the buyer rather than the seller. Just look at the article in the caravan magazine this month (p16-17) from someone buying from what they thought was eBay. No end of alarms bells going off and not one of them was heard by the buyer!

Many a consumer problem arises because of how we fail to protect ourselves when we buy. Buy privately and you don't have any protection from the raft of consumer legislation. Thus you need to take extra care before you part with your money. Look here seven posts down.

If you do not have a large budget then you can probably get more for your money going privately, and, if you manage to find the ideal van in tip top condition with extras thrown in you have success and will have found the "better deal". Buying relatively new (up to, say three years old) and it should be a dealer (IMO) because of the extra warranties you can obtain.

Then, its  also a case of finding the right layout of van for your familiy requirements. If you can only get that from a dealer then your decision has been made.

Take care, know how to buy a caravan, and enjoy the search.

Phil

Try Robinsons of Chesterfield, they are well established and respected Lunar main dealers, and have a few Arrivas for sale on their website. 

Glossop caravans have had some rather negative rewiews on here from people who have delt with them in the past, so it may be worth doing a search and reading the threads on the subject, before you go and make your own mind up regarding the company's standards of customer service and satisfaction.

Julia  

The Ariva should be just under 1100 MTPLM which would eb around an 80ish% match. if you have the petrol car you may feel it tugging and uphill starts are not the place to find out. Best to check car reviews or better still if someone on here tows with one.

If you buy privately you can see what they pull it with, what kerb weight it has etc.

Phil

Quote: Originally posted by DaveCoaches on 12/1/2012

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We bought our first used caravan from a dealer as we were new to caravanning. Big mistake, they stitched us right up. We ended up paying almost twice what the caravan would have been worth had it been dry, despite the front end being damp and leaking. The dealer's attitude was "what did you expect buying a caravan of that age?"

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Quite right Surfer01. As I said six posts up "Many a consumer problem arises because of how we fail to protect ourselves when we buy." We need to be more savvy and boards such as this should assist folk in understanding their rights etc.

Phil

Have you been to Caravans Direct Oldham,  at Ashton rd, Bardsley.

Avondale Falcon in your price range. 

If there's nowt in stock that suits, tell Henry and he will see what he can do.  As you can tell I'm a satisfied customer.

1109Kg would be around the 85% match from what I have seen of the kerb weight of your car on the net. So, if you have doubts about the pulling ability of your car, the Lunar would probably be favourite

Phil