What to Check When Viewing a Used Campervan: A 30-Minute Inspection

You do not need to be a mechanic to spot a bad campervan. Most serious problems announce themselves within half an hour if you know where to look. This is a timed walk-around you can follow at any viewing, in the order it works best.

Before the van arrives

Ask for the registration number before you travel and run a history check. A van with a write-off marker or a mileage discrepancy is not worth your fuel money. Also request photos of the current odometer reading and the V5C. If the seller is reluctant to share the basics, that is a signal in itself.

Outside — the first 10 minutes

Start at the roof and work down. Look along every seal and seam for staining, crazing or a soft feel — this is where damp begins. Check the rooflights, the awning rail and the window seals, then walk the body panels looking for rust, filler cracks, mismatched paint and dents. Finally, crouch down and check the sills and wheel arches, which rot first on older vans. Look at the tyres too: even wear across the set suggests proper maintenance, while a scrubbed edge hints at alignment issues.

Inside — the next 10 minutes

Open every door, cupboard and locker. Press the walls and corners with your palm, especially around windows, the roof join and the floor edges. The odour is a clue too: a musty, damp smell that persists on a dry day usually means trapped moisture. Test the water system by running the taps, flush the toilet if there is one, and light a hob ring if the seller allows it. Check the cushions for sagging and the underside of the bed for damage, then run through the service history to confirm the engine and habitation services are current.

Under the bonnet and underneath

Start the engine from cold and let it idle. Listen for a smooth tickover, watch for smoke from the exhaust, and check for leaks under the van afterwards. Look at the coolant and oil caps for sludge or mayo, which can signal head-gasket problems. A quick feel of the brakes and clutch pedal should show consistent, not spongy, travel.

Don't rush this part. A van with a poorly maintained engine costs far more than any cosmetic bargain saves you.

When the half hour is up

If anything serious flags, walk away — there are plenty of vans. If everything looks good, book a professional damp and habitation check before you pay a deposit. Our damp check guide explains why that reading matters more than almost anything else on a used van.