Bunk Campers guide to buying an ex rental campervan.

Bunk Campers operate one of the largest campervan and motorhome hire fleets across the UK & Ireland and all of our fleet is 100% company owned. We have experience and expertise on all things camper related across our group of companies. Campervans are our business.

Every year we release part of our rental fleet for sale. Adopt an ex rental from Bunk Campers and you can get on the road with confidence! But before you make any purchase decisions, here is our guide to purchasing your ex rental Motorhome.

1. Lifestyle Choices – How will you use your Vehicle?

After buying a home, buying a campervan is likely to be one of the biggest leisure purchases that you invest in. Take time to consider how you will really use the vehicle. What will the mix be between using the vehicle only for your leisure time or will it also be used as a day van or daily driver?

If a daily driver is your campervan of choice, we recommend a VW camper conversion as the ideal van for both driving daily and for leisure holidays. Enjoy total flexibility to go about your daily routine, with easy parking, up to 5 seat belts for all the family, and an economical drive! Plus, you have all the benefits of comfy beds, heating, electricity and cooking facilities included.

If your campervan has to double up as the main form of family transport, think through how you are going to park your vehicle for peace of mind. If your campervan is just for leisure and you do intend to travel and holiday further afield, consider fuel consumption. You don’t want to end up saddled with a second mortgage just to get on the road!

2. Research your Finance Options.

Buying a motorhome is a big investment and researching how to finance your purchase will open up a market place full of options. Funding your initial deposit may mean cashing in savings, shares or even downsizing your bricks and mortar assets in favour of your home on wheels! Options for finance include personal loans and hire purchase. You can easily compare lenders through sites such as Comparethemarket.com and moneysupermarket.com.

3. Look for a Full Mechanical and Habitation History.

Before you invest in adopting a campervan, be sure to understand its pedigree!  You need to understand that the vehicle has been properly cared for throughout its previous life. There are two aspects to this.

Firstly, the vehicle. Ask for the service history on the vehicle and ensure servicing and maintenance has been carried out by the approved chassis dealer. Every campervan should have a full Pre Delivery Inspection (PDI) carried out by each chassis manufacturer before it is deemed fit to go on the hire fleet and this report should be available as part of the paperwork.

Secondly, the campervan. Ask for copies of the current Gas Safety certificate and the Habitation Check.  Any reputable hire company will invest in an annual gas safety inspection by a ‘Gas Safe’ certified engineer. The habitation check means that all household appliances have been tested and certified to be in good working order eg: gas boiler and cooker, electrical charging circuitry for lighting and hook up and the water system.  The ‘hab check’ as we in the industry call it, also includes a damp test for water ingress. Caring for the Motorhome through its rental life in this way is best practice and demonstrates that the campervan hire company has invested in maintaining their fleet to a high standard.

4. Cleaning the interior, more than a lick and a promise!

When it comes to housework, we are no doubt all dab hands at cutting corners to get the job done so we can move onto our leisure time. Before we make our rental fleet available for sale it will have been cleaned and detailed to a very high standard. Our Regional Fleet Managers and their teams are tasked with delivering a deep clean including shampooing upholstery and a full interior valet to return the campervan as near to its original ‘new’ condition as possible. The full detailing of the vehicle ensures that the campervan gets more than just a lick and a promise before it is ready for sale. At the end of every rental the campervan is cleaned to a professional standard. Bunk Campervans operate a strict no smoking and no pets policy on all its rental fleet to compliment the ongoing standards of hygiene and cleanliness.

If you are thinking of buying an ex-rental campervan, you can visit us at any of our network of regional depots across the UK and Ireland (London, Edinburgh, Belfast & Dublin) where we can show you around our fleet and help you make an informed choice before you decide to invest in your motorhome purchase. Simply email to book an appointment.