Campervan Depreciation: Which Vans Hold Their Value Best?

Depreciation is the biggest single cost of campervan ownership, yet it's the one most buyers never price in. The good news is that campervans hold their value better than most cars, and some models barely drop at all. Here's how it works in the UK market.

How much do campervans depreciate?

A typical new campervan loses around 15-20% in its first year, then settles into a slower 5-8% a year after that. Compare that with an average family car, which can lose 40% in three years. A £50,000 new motorhome might be worth £40,000-£42,000 after 12 months and £30,000-£34,000 after five years. Used vans bought at five to ten years old depreciate far more slowly, because the steepest losses have already happened.

Which vans hold their value best?

• Volkswagen campervans, especially the California, are the gold standard. Demand stays high because the badge and layout are proven.
• Panel-van conversions from reputable converters hold value better than generic coachbuilt models.
• Cult and classic models - T2s, split-screen vans and other iconic shapes - can even appreciate.
• Standard coachbuilts from Swift, Bailey and similar depreciate most, simply because there are plenty of them.

What drives resale value?

1. Condition and a documented service and damp-check history.
2. Low owners and verifiable mileage.
3. Desirable layouts - washroom, fixed bed, diesel heating.
4. Automatic gearboxes and larger engines.
5. Provenance: a well-known converter's name holds a premium.

A van with a full damp-check record can be worth £1,000-£3,000 more than a comparable one without.

Depreciation and buying strategy

The cheapest way to beat depreciation is to buy a van that has already taken the hit. A five-year-old coachbuilt at £25,000-£30,000 loses far less over the next five years than a new one does in its first. If you plan to sell within a few years, a used van is almost always the smarter financial choice.

Depreciation is invisible on paper but real in your pocket. Whatever you pay, assume you'll get back around 60-70% of it if you sell within three years - and plan around that.

Our resale value guide explains what buyers pay more for, or browse campervans for sale to benchmark what similar models are asking.