Print this. Take it with you. Run through it slowly on the viewing — if you feel rushed by the seller, that's information in itself. These are the twenty things we'd never buy a used camper without checking.
Before you visit (5 minutes online)
Free MOT history at gov.uk. Confirm tax/MOT status, advisories and mileage continuity. Run an HPI-style check for outstanding finance, written-off status and stolen markers — non-negotiable on anything over £15k. Cross-check the V5C V-number with DVLA.
On arrival (cold engine)
Walk round before talking. Check sills, wheel arches, front lower panels, rear cross-member. Open the bonnet cold and look for coolant residue around the header tank, fresh oil leaks, and the colour of the dipstick oil. Start the engine and listen for the first three seconds of valve-train noise — that's when wear shows itself.
Habitation walk-through
Lift every cushion. Open every locker. Run the tap, fire the boiler, ignite a hob ring, test the fridge on gas and 230V, switch every interior light, test the heater, run the water pump dry-then-primed. Use a damp meter on the floor edges, around the windows and under the skylight.
Paperwork (do not skip)
V5C in seller's name. Current MOT. Service receipts (not just stamps). Gas Safety Certificate, ideally under 12 months old. Habitation check report. Conversion plate or M1 certification if rear seatbelts are used while moving. Insurance valuation if the conversion is bespoke.
Test drive — what to feel for
Steering pull, brake judder at 50mph, gear-change smoothness on a 1st-2nd downshift, turbo response from 1,500rpm, exhaust smoke (blue = oil, black = fuelling/DPF, white that doesn't clear = head gasket). Hill-start handbrake hold. Listen for habitation noises — anything banging back there gets worse, never better.
Common questions
How much should I budget for unexpected repairs in year one? On a £20–30k used camper, we'd hold £1,000–£1,500 in reserve for first-year niggles. On older vans (£10–15k), closer to £2,000.
Should I take a mechanic with me? If you can — yes. A workshop pre-purchase inspection is around £100–£180 and routinely saves buyers from five-figure mistakes.