Advice for newbie in Ireland

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NKS
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Advice for newbie in Ireland

 ·  Posted: 23.02.2025  ·  #1
Looking for Advice on Buying a Campervan in Ireland (€15K-€20K Budget)

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to buy a 4-berth campervan with a cab-over bed for my family (2 adults, 2 kids). My budget is €15,000–€20,000 absolute max, so I'm trying to find the best option within that range.

A few questions:

Are there any reliable models in this price range you'd recommend (or avoid)?

Best places to buy in Ireland within this budget?

Any must-have features or common pitfalls to watch out for?

Thoughts on engine size and fuel efficiency for Irish roads?


Would really appreciate any advice or recommendations. Thanks in advance!


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Roulston1008
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Re: Advice for newbie in Ireland

 ·  Posted: 23.02.2025  ·  #2
Stick to your budget. For this amount you are looking at an older van. Nothing wrong with this as long as it's in good condition. Buy a damp meter and use it when looking a any van. If possible bring someone who knows what their looking at. As long as the engine has a good service record don't worry about the age of it. If your thinking about importing remember about the VRT and Duty you will have to pay so factor this into your budget. Look at one in a dealer they mite come with a warranty. I would also recommend getting the gas and water checked or serviced before buying.
Good Luck with your search and we'll see you on the road soon.
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NKS
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Re: Advice for newbie in Ireland

 ·  Posted: 23.02.2025  ·  #3
Thanks, yeah definitely going to be an older model but hoping to get something from the early 2000s as opposed to something from early 90s.
Done deal seems to be fairly hot for buyers is there anywhere else you'd recommend Searching to buy?
soontobetravelling
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Re: Advice for newbie in Ireland

 ·  Posted: 23.02.2025  ·  #4
Hi NKS,

myself and my partner spent the latter half of last year on a similar quest. There is an awful lot of damp motorhomes out there, we had a pinless damp meter and it saved our bacon on occasions when there was no smell, no sight of damp. But still damp present. You can have an independent person check it out for you alternatively!

Take your time, don't feel pressured into it just because the market can move fast!

Sometimes places like cmca Carroll MC cauley or west cork campers might have something in that range, but not too often.

We were pretty anal in our hunt, Check the last cvrt cert and do the math on the axle weights, make sure you've got payload for whatever you need.

Outside of that, check chassis, all equipment, every blind and switch.

Engine size and efficiency - I don't reckon there's too much of a difference in them. From recollection and I'll happily stand to be corrected 2.8jtd gets a lot of good said about it.

My final bit of advice - do try to keep a little bit of wiggle room financially for suprise problems... 1000's of moving parts and not necessarily the best owners through their lifetimes, they can often need for something. Even if they've just passed a cvrt!

Hope that helps!
Con910
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What to do?

 ·  Posted: 24.02.2025  ·  #5
So that was our budget also 3 years ago when we purchased and this is what we learned...
* The boss said she would prefer low profile as didn't like the notion of climbing ladders in latter years * This required a Low profile vehicle which increased the budget significantly, but she was as always right of course..."dig deep" if you want quality * You'll be very lucky to get a detailed service history so focus on when the Timing Belts were changed, that's critical * Avoid vehicles which still have plastic on the seats. This was advice I got friend a savvy friend. I cannot repeat the reason behind this logic in print as it's definitely discriminatory and I'm not that sort of guy....I'm just relaying the advice I got.(I had a lucky escape with a beautiful machine where the owner claimed 3 owners and 40 k mls. After a "CAR CHECK" with an extra 10 euro for a UK report it had 10 owners and 400, 000 mls. A few euro very well spent! * You can be lucky so be ready to pounce with a deposit. * Be cautious with vehicles parked on the roadside with a For Sale sign. This is why...* Check that the VIN/Chassis number matches the one on the vehicle Log Book and check the engine area/door frame to see if a chassis tag has been tampered with. It's worth going the extra bit deeper into your pocket if everything adds up. Best of luck with it! :up:
Con910
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Motorhome Enthusiasts Ireland?

 ·  Posted: 01.03.2025  ·  #6
Check out recent Ad' on the above Facebook site!
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