TOURING CARAVAN PRICES UK
The value of a touring caravan can be very difficult to determine as there is very little information available to the general public and
within the industry the only current supplier of guide prices is Glass Guide. Glass Guide Caravan Prices are only made available to the trade so it
becomes very difficult for the general public to determine what is or isn't an accurate price.
As Glass Guide have a monopoly on the figures, the only real gauge that the general public can see is the price of new touring caravans as set by
the industry manufacturers. So one should assume that this becomes the starting point as logically a used touring caravan valuation is not going to be greater
than the price of a new touring caravan.
What has been traditionally found is that just applying a linear depreciation to the touring caravan value doesn't appear to match with the figures
available to the trade and at times there appears no logical sense in the figures that are available.
From our own research and industry knowledge, we know that there are factors that effect caravan values but this is no different to other industries, if
the consumer is not spending money then prices are reduced in a bid to stimulate the market. Specific makes and models are more desirable than others, but again
we see that the consumer drives these trends and dicates the volume of new sales from the manufacturer.
A lot of caravan dealers have 'dealer special' models produced for them by the manufacturer. This involves taking a standard product that the manufacturer
produces and customising it for the retailer. The customisation can vary from retailer to retailer as to what extras are added and what will add value to
the touring caravan. Often we have seen that these touring caravans have been under valued as it appears that these extras are not taken in to account
in the current market place. Yet, if you the consumer, were to order a brand new caravan and then asked the retailer for additional extras fitted to that
touring caravan, you would be charged a retail price difference. Now although logically we accept that these 'extras' could be deemed as a personal addition
one would presume that most people would, for example, insure their caravan for the price they paid and not remove the value of the extra's. Again the point could
be argued that some of the extra's would not add any value, i.e. a change in upholstery colour, we agree. So with our knowledge we take in to account item's
that in our eyes do or do not add value.
To initial new values, these are determined by the manufacturer, which in turn sells them to the retailer. So the initial valuation is based upon market
conditions and how competative new sales are within the industry. Any new touring caravan valuation will depreciate once it is taken from the forecourt.
Normally this would comprise of the VAT eliment, dealer margin and the fact that the caravan is now 'used with 1 owner'. So as a basic guide we would expect
a touring carvans value to reduce by 30-35% of its RRP. This is the largest level of depreciation the caravan will suffer, from then onwards it will depreciate
at a lesser level based upon the age of the caravan.
To initial new values, these are determined by the manufacturer, which in turn sells them to the retailer. So the initial valuation is based upon market
conditions and how competative new sales are within the industry. Any new touring caravan valuation will depreciate once it is taken from the forecourt.
Normally this would comprise of the VAT eliment, dealer margin and the fact that the caravan is now 'used with 1 owner'. So as a basic guide we would expect
a touring carvans value to reduce by 30-35% of its RRP. This is the largest level of depreciation the caravan will suffer, from then onwards it will depreciate
at a lesser level based upon the age of the caravan.
Subsequently if you reduce your touring caravan from the 65-70% year old caravan on a curved depriciation over the life of the caravan, this will give you a
very rough base trade valuation on your touring caravan. There are a further 3 valuations to consider which are a private sale value, trade in value and dealer
forecourt price.
CARAVAN AGE GUIDE
Also known as a serial number, VINs (or CRiS number) have been assigned to all caravans manufactured worldwide, since 1992. Every single caravan produced
since this date must have the number etched onto the window. Prior to this there were a variety of different numbering systems often varying between
manufacturers and so the industry decided to implement one universal coding format to make it easier for all concerned. All codes now comply with the
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) and contain the WMI code, axel type, manufacturer data, date letter and a unique serial number.
What the code means:
Using the sample VIN SGBS000BYA1111111 as an example, this is how to break down the code
SGBS000BYA1111111 – Country code, with SG signifying the caravan was made in the UK
SGBS000BYA1111111 – A third character “B” means it is a Bailey caravan. Use of this character can vary
SGBS000BYA1111111- This part identifies whether the van is single or twin axle
SGBS000BYA1111111 – Optional manufacturer data, usually relating to the model
SGBS000BYA1111111 – Manufacturer details (Bailey for this caravan)
SGBS000BYA1111111 – Year of manufacture. A means 2010
SGBS000BYA1111111 – Optional manufacturer data
SGBS000BYA1111111 – The caravan’s unique serial number
Manufacturer codes:
AB = ABI
AD = Adria
AV = Avondale
BE = Bessacarr - More recent models were made by Swift, so will carry their code
BU = Buccaneer – Later models manufactured by Explorer Group
BY = Bailey
CL = Carlight
CM = Coachman
CP = Compass - May show EX code in some circumstances where van was built by Explorer Group
CS = Cosalt - More recent models were made by Swift, so will carry their code
CU = Sprite – More recent models were made by Swift, so will carry their code
EL = Elddis – Older models may show Explorer Group’s EX code if made before re-branding
EX = Explorer Group – More recent models will show Elddis code
FL = Fleetwood
LU = Lunar
SW = Swift Group
When checking the age of a caravan, bear in mind that the build year runs from 1st September to 31st August.
This means that the build year code on a caravan may not relate to the calendar year in which it was manufactured.
For example, any caravan made between 1st September 2013 and 31st August 2014 will carry the 2014 “E” build code.
From the start of the ViN Number, count to the 10th digit to determine the model year.
| 1992 |
N |
1993 |
P |
| 1994 |
R |
1995 |
S |
| 1996 |
T |
1997 |
V |
| 1998 |
W |
1999 |
X |
| 2000 |
Y |
2001 |
1 |
| 2002 |
2 |
2003 |
3 |
| 2004 |
4 |
2005 |
5 |
| 2006 |
6 |
2007 |
7 |
| 2008 |
8 |
2009 |
9 |
| 2010 |
A |
2011 |
B |
| 2012 |
C |
2013 |
D |
| 2014 |
E |
2015 |
F |
| 2016 |
G |
2017 |
H |
| 2018 |
J |
2019 |
K |
| 2020 |
L |
2021 |
M |
| 2022 |
N |
STATIC CARAVAN PRICES UK
To value a static caravan it must be assessed at several levels dependant upon the circumstances that the static caravan is currently in and look
at each of the valuation components seperately. These are the static caravan it's self, the pitch and the period of time allowed on a caravan park.
As a static caravan owner, when purchasing a static caravan on a park it is not just the value of the static that is being paid for, so for example,
2 identical static caravans could be for sale, the first in the tourist area of the Lake District and the second on the fringe of the Lakes. The location
will make a significant difference to the overall value of the static caravan which is no different to buying the same identical houses in London and Carlisle.
The first factor to take in to account is the static caravan on its own. The assumption is made that it is just being sold off site. It has it's own
value that will depreciate from new and normally
this will be over a period of 15 years. The cost and value of the static caravan is seperate and a completely different figure from what a
consumer may pay to a caravan park operator. To achieve a valuation for the static caravan on it's own the normal depreciation applies, so
it will loose a proportion of value from new then depreciate over the average period. So although a consumer may have paid £60,000 to buy the static caravan
from the park owner, the actual retail value of the static will be a lot less because included in the purchase price are the pitch and time factors.
So looking at an example of a static caravan with a value of £30k RRP it will loose it's greatest depreciation from new then depreciate at a rate over
the next 15 years.
The second factor is selling a static caravan that is situated on a caravan park. For this firstly you will need to check any conditions that are in your purchase
agreement / caravan park rules. In this instance the static caravan has a value, the pitch has a value and the time that the static caravan has left on the caravan
park has a value. The values can vary a lot because of the location, the more popular and highly sort after caravan parks can command a premium for their pitch spaces.
The value is as above for the static caravan, then the pitch value and time value in many cases run hand in hand. So for example, a static caravans purchase price is £60k
and the terms of the caravan park are that static caravans are allowed up to 15 years old. The static has a RRP of £30k thus the pitch and time factor forms the remaining purchase
price, as a static caravan buyer you are renting the space from the caravan park operator. Both will depreciate at varing rates dependant upon the park rules.
It has always been very tricky to understand and value a static caravan because of the points that we mention above. Should you wish for an expert independant valuation
then our team will help. We will assess the value at the point of sale and compare local prices, while taking into account any market fluctuations and the individual
site rules if the static caravan is sited. To contact our experts simply click on the link below and complete the information required.
MOTORHOME VALUATIONS
The value of a motorhome is not an automatic process because there is no reliable guide price for valuing motorhomes. Often we will get asked 'how much is my motorhome
worth?' The valuations between what a consumer expects and what our market research / current market conditions tell us can vary quite a lot because there is no accurate
valuation available. Our experts will take in to account serveral factors when valuing a motorhome, some of these are similiar to a car valuation for mileage, engine size,
fuel type and number of former keepers, while also taking in to account factors like age and layout.
With so many motorhomes in the current market place their value is dependant upon supply and demand, which can vary dramitically throught the UK. Aged motorhomes often hold
their value very well and stand the test of time if they are well looked after and serviced regularly.
The logic behind any motorhome value is to look at the price from new and to apply a logical depreication based upon the age of the vehicle. Subsequently then, taking into
account variables such as mileage, service history, desirability of the layout, habitation condition and service records. An import factor to consider is also current
market fluctuations as although they can create either a temporary increase or decrease in motorhome values, in the longer term it will not deviate from the main depreciation
factor of age. Looking at the current covid fluctuation of 2020/2021, this has caused an increased demand due to the public seeking staycation holidays, but we anticipate
that the market increase in value will only affect the retail selling price due to demand. Looking a little longer term, we still see that the age of the vehicle is the
dominant factor for depreciation as this factoe will never alter from its depreciation scale.
Our experts have a wealth of knowledge and many options for consumers looking for motorhome valuations. If you are looking to buy, sell or just need a current market value
for your motorhome, please follow the link below and complete the form for our experts to contact you.
