Looking at buying my first motothome a Himer c494
Discussion
We have seen one that we like the look of it has a full service history and the belts have been recently changed, but as this will be our first is there anything else I should be looking for.
Any info would be really appreciated before we go to see it, any questions I should as apart from the mechanical side.
Thanks.
Any info would be really appreciated before we go to see it, any questions I should as apart from the mechanical side.
Thanks.
One word: damp!
Check to see if it has a habitation service history; ask if it has had damp; get a damp check done; buy a quality damp check meter yourself and do one.
Do any/all of the above!
Damp can cost 000's to fix and in an older MH would be a show stopper for me unless the seller can prove that it has had proper remedial action undertaken to solve it.
Check to see if it has a habitation service history; ask if it has had damp; get a damp check done; buy a quality damp check meter yourself and do one.
Do any/all of the above!
Damp can cost 000's to fix and in an older MH would be a show stopper for me unless the seller can prove that it has had proper remedial action undertaken to solve it.
As mentioned always check for damp, especially around windows and in the shower area. If at a dealer they usually do checks but do it yourself as well.
Another option is to get a mobile caravan/motorhome guy to check it, I used someone each year who came out to test it for damp and check the gas etc.
Also make sure everything works, depending on the age of the vehicle some parts can be hard to get hold of.
Usually Hymers are well built vans and if you get a good one they last forever!
Another option is to get a mobile caravan/motorhome guy to check it, I used someone each year who came out to test it for damp and check the gas etc.
Also make sure everything works, depending on the age of the vehicle some parts can be hard to get hold of.
Usually Hymers are well built vans and if you get a good one they last forever!
Get a pre-purchase inspection done by a NCC approved workshop scheme member. Will cost in the region of £125 but could save you £1000's. I'd offer to do an inspection for you but guessing from your profile it may be a long way from me!
A good pre purchase inspection will check for any unseen nasties that could cost you, most will include, damp test, gas soundness checks, appliance operation, chassis checks (if the bolt on type), road lighting and more.
A good pre purchase inspection will check for any unseen nasties that could cost you, most will include, damp test, gas soundness checks, appliance operation, chassis checks (if the bolt on type), road lighting and more.
Generally speaking don't be afraid of the mileage unless its a quintillion, as the base vehicles were made to do miles.
As with buying a car look at overall condition. Does it have a sheaf of paperwork with it showing services, habitation checks and any repairs/remedial works? NB Don't worry if remedial stuff has been done (properly) as most MH's have issues and good owners will get them sorted.
Have the owners made modifications to make it more usable/liveable? As long as they have been done well (see paperwork above) then they may well improve your use of the MH too.
Sit in all the seats and make up and lie on all the beds.
Walk as much of the surface area of the floor inside as you can. This checks it for de-lamination. If the floor is bouncy then you may have an issue. It is solve-able but something the dealer should sort.
Does it have a solar panel? Does it have 2 habitation batteries? Check the age/condition of the habitation batteries if you can.
Check the age of the tyres using the 4 digits on them that denote week number and year. In many case the tyres get too old/cracked before they even approach the minimum thread required as lots of folks don't use MH's all year round.
The batteries/tyres thing could be good trade-ables in your negotiations
As with buying a car look at overall condition. Does it have a sheaf of paperwork with it showing services, habitation checks and any repairs/remedial works? NB Don't worry if remedial stuff has been done (properly) as most MH's have issues and good owners will get them sorted.
Have the owners made modifications to make it more usable/liveable? As long as they have been done well (see paperwork above) then they may well improve your use of the MH too.
Sit in all the seats and make up and lie on all the beds.
Walk as much of the surface area of the floor inside as you can. This checks it for de-lamination. If the floor is bouncy then you may have an issue. It is solve-able but something the dealer should sort.
Does it have a solar panel? Does it have 2 habitation batteries? Check the age/condition of the habitation batteries if you can.
Check the age of the tyres using the 4 digits on them that denote week number and year. In many case the tyres get too old/cracked before they even approach the minimum thread required as lots of folks don't use MH's all year round.
The batteries/tyres thing could be good trade-ables in your negotiations
Update.
Well we had a look at this yesterday and both of us were very impressed, apart from a good clean inside and out (plus a lot of polishing) it's fine.
No sign of rust or damp, all the fixtures and fittings look and feel like it has hardly been used.
Just arranging to get a inspection done on it, and if it passes it will be ours
Well we had a look at this yesterday and both of us were very impressed, apart from a good clean inside and out (plus a lot of polishing) it's fine.
No sign of rust or damp, all the fixtures and fittings look and feel like it has hardly been used.
Just arranging to get a inspection done on it, and if it passes it will be ours
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