The used campervan market has boomed in recent years, and with it has come a flood of hastily converted vans, undisclosed problems, and overpriced vehicles sold to buyers who did not know what to look for. Whether you are buying a professionally converted campervan or a DIY build, there are specific things you need to check before you part with your money.
Start With the Base Vehicle
Before you even look at the conversion, check the van itself. The most popular base vehicles for campervan conversions in the UK are the Volkswagen Transporter, Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, Vauxhall Vivaro, and Renault Trafic. Each has its own common problems and known weak points.
Check the service history carefully. A campervan that has been lived in and driven long distances needs regular servicing — if the history is patchy or missing, walk away. Check the mileage against the wear on the driver's seat, pedals, and steering wheel. High mileage is not necessarily a problem if the van has been well maintained, but undisclosed high mileage is a red flag.
Run a vehicle history check (HPI check) before you buy. This will tell you if the vehicle has outstanding finance, has been written off, stolen, or has a mileage discrepancy. This costs around £10 and is non-negotiable.
Mechanical Checks
Start the engine from cold if at all possible — a warm engine hides a multitude of sins. Listen for unusual noises on startup. Check for smoke from the exhaust: blue smoke means burning oil, white smoke can indicate a head gasket issue, black smoke suggests a fuelling problem.
Check the oil level and condition. If the oil is very dark and thick, it has not been changed recently. If it looks milky or foamy, this is a serious warning sign of coolant mixing with the oil — often a head gasket failure. Check the coolant level and condition too.
Test all the gears, check the brakes (do they pull to one side?), listen for any clunking from the suspension, and check the tyres for uneven wear. Uneven tyre wear can indicate alignment or suspension problems that will be expensive to fix.
The Conversion: What to Look For
This is where campervan buying gets more complex than buying a standard used car. The quality of conversions varies enormously — from professional builds with proper insulation, marine-grade wiring, and structural furniture, to DIY builds with bare plywood and cable ties.
Damp and water ingress is the biggest structural risk. Check every corner, every roof vent, every window seal. Press your hand against the walls and ceiling — soft or spongy areas indicate damp. Smell the van carefully — a musty smell is a warning sign. Damp in a campervan conversion can be very expensive to fix properly.
Electrical systems: Check the leisure battery, solar panels (if fitted), and all 12V and 240V circuits. Are the connections properly made with correct fusing? Amateur wiring is a fire risk. If in doubt, have it inspected by a qualified auto-electrician before you buy.
Gas systems: If the van has a gas hob or heater, the installation must comply with BS EN 1949. Ask for documentation. A poorly installed gas system is a serious safety hazard. If there is no paperwork, budget for a full gas safety inspection.
Insulation: Good insulation makes a campervan usable in all seasons. Ask what insulation has been used and where. Spray foam, Thinsulate, and rigid foam boards are all acceptable. Bare metal with just a thin layer of carpet is not.
Get a Pre-Purchase Inspection
If you are spending more than a few thousand pounds on a used campervan, it is worth paying for a professional pre-purchase inspection. A qualified mechanic can check the vehicle mechanically and flag any issues before you commit. At AVS Bransgore, we offer pre-purchase inspections for campervans and vans — we will give you an honest, written report on the vehicle's condition so you can negotiate or walk away with confidence. Call us on 01425 200826 to arrange an inspection.
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