Buying a used van and moving to another site

[Dizzil]

Hi, we are going to look at an ABI Focus 2008 tomorrow, and if it is as described are hoping to buy it to move to another site. We have discussed with the current owners disconnections fees etc, and have a price for transporting to the site we have agreed a pitch on. Are there any pitfalls we need to be aware of if we buy a van to move to another site? I am wondering about finance with original owners on the van - I presume we just need to get confirmation they don't have finance with the park, who I assume would just not disconnect it and move off the pitch if that was the case.

We're very excited but want to make sure we don't miss anything in the planning! Any tips very welcome. Thanks Dizz

[keira]

we have this van diz

[Dizzil]

Hi Keira - Are you pleased with it? Is it a warm van as we have quite a long season on the site we are going on so hoping the DG and CH are effective?

[TreeTops]

You are on the right track. Make sure that you get something in writing to confirm there's no finance. Otherwise the caravan will never be yours. You need to get confirmation of the owner of the caravan not the park.

I've got a transfer of ownership form somewhere which deals with all that. Drop me a PM with your email address and I will send it over tomorrow when I get to the office.

Happy caravanning

A

[dasboot]

Hi dizzil.Just make sure in the smallprint that the site you are moving to will not be charging you extra on the groundfees each year because you didn't buy the van from them.From what i've learned from here it can and does happen.

[Angela B]

Good luck today, and safe journey :)

Dont forget to READ THE SMALL PRINT! ;)

I'm sure we're all looking forward to you 'reporting back to us' when you can lol

[mickety]

We did the same recently, bought the van privately from a lady who had it sited in Norfolk and we transported it to Lincolnshire's coast.

Be aware that because it would be a transaction between you and the other party that the present site owner doesnt asks for the 15% commission, it doesnt apply if its a private sale. Our new site dealt with almost everything regard the move, when we enquired about existing finance on the van from previous owners we were told there is no way that van will leave that site if outstanding finance is owing. The previous site confirmed nothing owing.

Also if the sale includes decking the present site may charge you a fee to dismantle, we were quoted £400 but went elsewhere, and even then they insisted it would have to be a specialist decking company who had to produce their paperwork before they could dismantle and transport.

Our seller also paid the disconnection fee.

[keira]

Hi Keira - Are you pleased with it? Is it a warm van as we have quite a long season on the site we are going on so hoping the DG and CH are effective?

hi diz i put heating on as we go in van and within half hour its boling i have 2 oil filled rads as well so leave them on all time when i turn heating off as our leccy is all in but yes you,l be well satisfied with the heating

[Dizzil]

Thanks for all the great advice everyone. When we went to see the ABI Focus it hadn't been very well looked after, was very grubby and we suspect been an uncared for rental van for a period of time so we decided against it. However, we went yesterday and looked at a pre-owned ABI Roselle at a dealers, and have bought that! So we are very excited and I can't wait to go shopping for all the bits and pieces. We are now just waiting for delivery date to be confirmed and hopefully will be on site for first weekend in March. Thanks to buying pre-owned we have stayed comfortably in budget leaving me a bit of change to go shopping for bits and bobs for it - happy days :)

[little green dragon]

Congrats Dizzil - now the fun begins!
We're still waiting to get cracking on our first van too...hopefully these next few weeks won't drag too much for either of us!! :)