1. Decide what you actually need
- How many people sleep in it? Count real beds, not the advertised “berths”.
- How many travel in it? Every passenger needs a belted seat facing forward. A “6-berth family camper” with only 4 belts is a 4-seater.
- Campervan or motorhome? Vans are easier to park and drive and can double as a daily vehicle; coachbuilt motorhomes give you a real bathroom and more space.
- Where will it live? Height, length and storage decide what fits your driveway, and where you can go.
2. Budget for more than the price
- Insurance — get a quote for the exact vehicle classification before you commit.
- Motor tax and roadworthiness testing — check the current rates and how often the vehicle must be tested.
- Servicing and habitation checks — an older vehicle needs a maintenance fund.
- Storage — if it won't sit at home.
- First-season extras — awning, levellers, hook-up cables, gas, bedding.
3. Questions to ask the seller first
- Is it registered as a motor caravan / camper, and can you send a photo of the logbook?
- When is the CRW / CVRT due? Can you send the last certificate?
- Was it imported? If so, can you show the VRT receipt and Irish registration?
- Who did the conversion, and is there paperwork for the gas and electrical work?
- Any damp, leaks, accident damage or repairs — and how long have you owned it?
- Why are you selling, and is the price negotiable?
- Can I see it cold, in daylight, with the engine off?
4. Mechanical questions
- Full service history — is it stamped and backed by invoices?
- When was the timing belt (or chain) last done? It's an expensive job if missed.
- How old are the tyres? Campers often outlive their tyres without much wear showing.
- Any warning lights, DPF or AdBlue issues on newer diesels?
5. Habitation questions
- When was the last habitation check, and was the damp reading clean?
- When was the gas system last tested, and by whom?
- Do the heater, hob, fridge, hot water, pump and toilet all work — and on every fuel source they claim to?
- Is there a leisure battery, and how old is it?
6. Red flags — walk away if…
- The registration status is unclear, or the seller can't (or won't) show the logbook.
- It's an import and nobody can show that VRT has been resolved.
- The price is far below comparable vehicles with no good reason — this is how scams work.
- The seller won't let you see it in person, or pressures you to pay a deposit quickly.
- There's damp, delamination or soft flooring that isn't reflected in the price.
- The gas or electrical work is a DIY job with no evidence it was done safely.
Next: the paperwork guide explains what the documents should show, and the inspection checklist is what to take with you on the day.