Selling Your Campervan: Dealer vs Private — Which Pays More?

When you sell a campervan you have two main routes: sell it to a dealer, or sell it yourself privately. They pay differently, cost differently and take different amounts of effort. Here's how to decide which one is right for you.

What a dealer pays — and why

A dealer buys your van at trade price because they need to recondition it, market it and make a margin. As a rough rule, expect an offer somewhere between 15% and 25% below what you could achieve on the private market, though that varies with demand for your particular model. A dealer's offer is a guaranteed, quick transaction — but it's the lowest figure you'll see.

What a private sale pays

Selling privately means setting your own price and dealing with buyers yourself. On a good day you'll get full retail value — often several thousand pounds more than a trade offer — because the buyer isn't paying a dealer's margin. On a bad day, you'll deal with no-shows, low offers and a sale that drags on for weeks.

The hidden costs of each route

The dealer route is simple: turn up, sign the paperwork, take the money. The private route involves advertising, photography, viewings, test drives, negotiation and payment handling. Those aren't free — your time is worth something. But against a several-thousand-pound price difference, for most sellers the effort pays.

The compromise: sell privately, or part exchange

There's a middle path. You can sell privately yourself and trade in your old van as a part exchange when you buy your next one. Or you can get a dealer's offer as a safety net, list privately, and accept the dealer's number only if the private sale doesn't happen.

What most sellers should do

If your van is under about £8,000, or you need the money quickly, a dealer deal is often the sensible choice — the margin difference matters less. If your van is worth more, or you're happy to invest a few weekends, selling privately on a UK marketplace like Campervan Market usually puts more money in your pocket.

Get a dealer's quote before you list privately. It's free, it's fast, and it gives you a floor price so you never sell for less than you have to.

Whichever route you choose, value your van first so you go in with realistic expectations — and a number you're willing to accept.