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Hi

I wonder if anyone could give us some advice about buying a caravan.  We are going to look at an insurance write off at the weekend.  According to the advert the axle has been bent but replaced, there are 2 creases in the body work above the door (not very big) & some of the cupboards need to be screwed back in, all pictures have been supplied & the damaged does not look to bad.  The van has not been over on its side but was damaged when it hit a rather large pot hole.  We have never had a caravan before only a folding camper so do not know what to check over to ensure everything has now been fixed.  I understand we will need to have the van inspected than a CRIS can be issued making to road worthy.

Any advise given would be great as we have a basic understanding but not enough to know if everything is ok.

many thanks        

Hi,

I'm no expert but would expect that this van would be a candidate for water ingress. Every seam would have been stressed during the incident, and as said above, if it was repairable it would have been.

Also, look to the future, I think you would be lumbered with it, very difficult to sell I fear.

Mr Ulti-mate

Very often the labour costs can be much greater than the cost of the parts, this contributes to the decision of wether to repair or "write off".

You may have difficulty in selling on this van, but bear in mind you can also sell at a lower price due to your initial saving.  One piece of advice I will give is phone around for insurance quotes as many companies will not touch a "write off". (but they will sell them on for salvage?)

I myself have rescued four cars from breakers yards and sold them after using them myselffor some time. Two classic minis which are still in daily use, a 360 glt volvo which is still used daily 6 years after I sold it, a 406 estate which towed our previous van three times to france and back to cumbria. My latest project was a series 5 pageant moselle which has saved me £6000.00 and which I intend to use for many years of enjoyement.

well I think you need to look at the price it is and the value it may fetch when all fixed up!!

for example if you buy it for £1000, but the book price in good condition is £3000

so you fix it up and hey presto, but then you realise somethings are going wrong you may still be able to sell it on as a bargain say for £2000, highlighting the bad bits its the buyers choice!!! they may be able to fix it !! and your still in pocket and the buyer thinks 'Bargain' !!!!

not everyone is the same - worth thinking about !!

I think the bottom line is if you have the ability and time to a) Assess how bad the damage is and b) Fix it then it may be worth considering, but I'm guessing if you had that level of knowledge you would not need our advice.

The insuarance point is important too, all in all it sounds to risky to me.

Thanks everyone for the information,you have confirmed what I was thinking its a bit to risky.  I was worried that the damaged might have split the seams & water could get in without us knowing & we would be none the wiser until we have a really bad problem.  I think we will just have to save a little bit more money, it was just the thought of not having to worry about it raining when packing up the folding camper.