How to Prepare Your Campervan for Sale in a Weekend

You don't need weeks to get a campervan ready for sale. A focused weekend of cleaning, checking and tidying can add hundreds to the price you achieve and save you weeks of waiting. Here's the plan, split into two days.

Saturday morning: the deep clean

Start outside. Wash, clay-bar or polish the panels, clean the windows and dress the tyres. A gleaming exterior photographs better and signals a well-looked-after van. Then move inside: vacuum, wipe down every surface, wash the bedding and cushions, and deodorise the fridge and toilet cassette. Remove personal belongings entirely — buyers want to imagine their own adventures, not yours.

Saturday afternoon: the small fixes

Walk around the van and fix the things buyers notice:

• Replace blown bulbs and wiper blades.
• Tighten loose door catches and lubricate sticking locks.
• Top up washer fluid, coolant and oil.
• Polish any light corrosion on wheel arches and bumpers.
• Check the gas bottles are secure and in date.

Sunday morning: the checks that matter

Run the systems so you can answer questions honestly. Heat the water, test the hob and grill, switch the heater on, check the fridge works on gas and electric, and open and close every window and door. Turn the engine over, check for warning lights and take it for a short drive. A van that works beats a van that only looks good.

Sunday afternoon: paperwork and photos

Gather the V5C logbook, MOT certificates, service history and any receipts for recent work. Check the current MOT is valid and the mileage on it matches the odometer. Then photograph the van in good light using the photography guide — or, if you're short on time, at least take clean, bright shots of the interior and exterior.

If anything needs an MOT or habitation check soon, get it done before you list. A van that's ready to drive away sells faster and for more.

Ready to list

When Sunday night comes you'll have a clean, working, well-documented van that's ready for its first viewers. Preparation is the cheapest price increase you'll ever get — and it's the difference between a van that sits and a van that sells.