New or pre-owned motorhome?

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You’ve made the decision to buy a motorhome and we’re sure you won’t be sorry! Motorhomes provide the freedom to get away and enjoy breaks at the drop of a hat! They’re ideal for adventures near and far and in a year when we’ve not been able to do all we may have wanted to, it’s the perfect time to start enjoying a bit of freedom again!

Before you actually purchase your new vehicle, there are a few things you should consider, the first one being whether you’re going to go for a new or pre-owned model?

2021 has seen high demand for leisure vehicles due to them being a great holiday option during the pandemic; not only do they provide fantastic holidays when foreign travel is not possible, but they’re also completely self-contained meaning you don’t have to worry about shared facilities.

This high demand, coupled with lower production numbers due to factory closures and reduced staff for social distancing reasons, has meant that the number of new vehicles available for purchase has been less and the lead times longer. Pre-owned models may be easier and quicker to get hold of this year so please keep this in mind when weighing up your options.

BUDGET

As motorhomes are motor vehicles as well as holiday homes, they are more expensive to purchase than caravans. At Winchester Caravans and Motorhomes, we stock new Bailey motorhomes and the prices of their three ranges are detailed below. It is important to note that motorhomes hold their value extremely well so although there is a substantial initial cost, you can rest assured that it is a bit of an investment too.

Pre-owned motorhomes will cost less than new, but the prices vary significantly depending on manufacturer, age, mileage, number of berths, condition and spec of the models. If buying pre-owned you will need to shop around to ensure you are getting good value for money for the model you’re interested in.

Alliance range: £55,799 - £57,999

Adamo range: £59,999 - £62,099

Autograph range: £60,299 - £67,299

The Alliance offers six layouts, which consist of two, four and six berth options. This range comes with Truma combi blown air heating system, a Thule wind-out awning, a Truma 100 watt solar panel, Dometic reversing camera and Thetford Triplex combination oven, grill and gas hob.

The Adamo offers three layouts, all of which are four-berth. It comes with an external onboard garage space, electric-powered drop-down beds (model specific), 80 watt solar panel, Truma combi 4 heating system and a fully equipped kitchen.

The Autograph range offers eight layouts, accommodating two, four or six people. This range comes with Alde radiator heating system, a Thule wind-out awning,  Truma 100 watt solar panel, an extra wide bodyshell and Thetford Caprice combination oven, grill, gas hob and electric hotplate.

NEW - THE PROS

JUST FOR YOU

You’ll be the first owner so everything will be brand new and completely unused. There will be no wear and tear and it won’t have done any miles as it’ll have come straight from the factory. There’s nothing quite like buying  something new and don’t forget to enjoy the lovely ‘new’ smell!

TAILOR IT TO YOUR NEEDS

When you buy new, you can choose the model and spec you like and tailor it to meet your exact taste and requirements. This goes for everything from bed configuration to layout, upholstery to appliances. Sky’s the limit!

SPOILT FOR CHOICE

There are so many makes and models on offer that you will truly be spoilt for choice! Bailey is one of the biggest names in the industry and definitely worth a look!

SHORTER SEARCH TIME

Looking for a new motorhome is more straightforward and it may take less time to find your ideal model than searching for a pre-owned one. With pre-owned you have to look for the individual motorhome that is right for you, whereas when you buy new, you choose the model that has the spec and design that suits your needs - easy peasy!

BUY WITH CONFIDENCE

If you buy your new motorhome from a reputable dealer like ourselves, any issues will be taken care of as soon as they arise. All of our new motorhomes come with a full, factory-backed warranty to give you complete peace of mind. All new Bailey motorhomes come with a three-year manufacturer’s warranty on the base vehicle and habitation area, as well as a six-year bodyshell integrity guarantee.

NEW - THE CONS

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY

There’s really only one - the fact that buying a new motorhome comes with a higher price tag than buying a pre-owned one. But you may feel that the pros of buying new counter this. It could also be said that by buying new you will experience an element of depreciation in the first year - but as long as you keep hold of your motorhome for at least a couple of years, you should come out on top.

PRE-OWNED - THE PROS

IT’LL COST YOU LESS

The initial cost to you will be less than for a new motorhome, which means you get yourself a lovely home on wheels for a smaller budget. This may leave you with spare cash to enjoy more trips away!

LESS IS MORE

Spending less on a pre-owned motorhome rather than a new one may allow you to get a higher spec or more spacious model for your budget. You could end up with extra gadgets, better equipment and more space that you wouldn’t have been able to afford if you’d gone for a new model.

AVOID THE DROP

If you buy a model that’s more than a year old, you’ll avoid the first depreciation drop that happens with any new vehicle as soon as you drive it. So buying a year-old model means that you’ll get a nearly-new motorhome for a lower price, making it better value for money.

WARRANTY COVER

If you buy from a dealer, your motorhome should come with a warranty. Winchester Caravans and Motorhomes offer an Approved Warranty Scheme, giving great coverage. We provide 12 months’ cover on motorhomes up to 5 model years old, 6 months’ cover on motorhomes up to 10 model years old and 3 months’ cover on motorhomes over 10 years old. That peace of mind is priceless!

PRE-OWNED - THE CONS

WHY ARE THE OWNERS SELLING IT?

You’ll never really know why the owners have decided to sell their motorhome so you must always be on the lookout for any issues that may cause problems in the future. This could be a fault or the fact that something about the model isn’t practical or ideal. (Remember that buying with us means you won’t have to worry about faults as we offer warranty cover.)

YOU WON’T BE ABLE TO TAILOR IT TO YOUR TASTE

Pre-owned motorhomes have been chosen and specced by the original owner so it will be as they chose it to be - you won’t be able to tailor it to your taste or needs.

YOU CAN ONLY CHOOSE FROM WHAT’S AVAILABLE

The selection of available motorhomes may be fewer and if there are certain features that you’re looking for, you’ll have to be on the ball and willing to spend longer searching for just the right model. Compromises may have to be made!

CHECK IT THOROUGHLY

As you’re buying a pre-owned motorhome, especially if buying one a little older, you will need to check it thoroughly to ensure you are happy with the condition of the motorhome for the money you are paying. This goes for the motor vehicle itself as well as the holiday home part. You may also need to factor in costs of repairs and maintenance if these are likely to be needed in the coming months and years.

COME AND TAKE A LOOK!

Whether you decide to go for new or pre-owned, we’re here to help! We stock both new and pre-owned motorhomes at our showroom in Colden Common so pop in and chat through your options with us. Just having a browse will help with the decision-making process and there’s no harm in looking! Get in touch if you’d like to book an appointment or just pop in!

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