I Want to Sell – But How Much is my Campervan Worth?

Unfortunately, some things in life sting – and one of the big ones is realising you’ve undersold a beloved campervan. Whether you’ve sold it to fund an upgrade or simply raise some cash for some other purpose, or perhaps even because you’re bowing out of van‑life altogether, it’s always really important to try and avoid the sting. This means getting the best possible price you can – and the good news is that there are several ways you can influence your selling price.

In this article we’ll unpack practical steps you can take to lift your sale price, and we’ll explain why selling to Don Amott can make the whole process so much simpler!

Know Your Baseline

Always start with impartial facts. In other words, dig out every scrap of paperwork that documents the history of the campervan, and your ownership of it. Things like the V5C logbook and current MOT certificate, service paperwork and receipts, conversion certificates (if your campervan began life as a panel van), plus proof of any major repairs (things like engine rebuilds, cambelt changes or damp treatment, etc).

If you organise these documents chronologically, perhaps keeping them in a folder or plastic wallet, buyers (including the Don Amott team) will recognise it as a sign that you’ve almost certainly been equally as meticulous with the maintenance and upkeep of your vehicle. So, even before you break out the old bucket and sponge to give it a thorough clean, you’ve nudged the valuation of your campervan upwards.

Deep Clean

As we just mentioned, giving your campervan a deep clean – inside and out – will enhance its appearance, and give you a better price when it comes time to sell. There’s nothing quite like seeing a used campervan in sparkling condition!

Exterior: Make sure you give the bodywork a full day’s attention. A quick jet‑wash is probably not going to do, as this is a deep clean and you want the vehicle to be an aspirational showcase for the campervan lifestyle, not resemble a work van.

• Pre‑wash with foam to soften grime
• Two‑bucket hand‑wash using a microfibre cloth or mitt
• Life any contaminants (tree sap, bird poo)
• Machine polish light swirl marks if the paint is dull
• Use high‑quality wax for a glossy finish.
• Blacken the tyres and treat plastic trim 
• Pay equal attention to the roof 
• Clean and lubricate hinges and seals of the pop-top

Interior: A good steam cleaner is your best friend when you’re sorting out the interior of your campervan prior to sale. Remove the seat covers, put the curtains through the wash (if your van has curtains, that is), unclip fly‑screens and scrub window runners. Do a deep clean on the fridge, cooker and sink until they smell neutral and have a crisp finish. De‑scale the water system and flush until water runs clear. Empty the cassette toilet (if your van has one), and sanitise. Finish off your work on the interior with ‘the cherry on top’ – a decent air‑freshener. A good tip is not to use anything too strong as this can be overpowering, and suggests you’re trying to mask mould or damp.

Declutter

A campervan still stuffed with toys, dog blankets and empty food containers (or other bits of rubbish) immediately looks smaller, seems older and feels less valuable. Strip out personal items, all waste and any non‑standard accessories that may not appeal to the next owner. Leave the core camping kit (hook‑up cable, levelling wedges, winding handle and water hoses, etc) neatly bagged-up and clearly labelled so that the campervan feels ‘ready to tour’.

Minor Repairs

Fix small problems yourself so that the buyer doesn’t have to. If things need doing, the buyer will deduct an amount from their offer. By sorting things yourself you’ll keep that margin. There are various small areas you can look at, and you should keep receipts for any repair work or bits and pieces you’ve bought to do repairs yourself. Receipts tell the buyer that the work is fresh rather than historic.

• Interior trim: Replace things like missing drawer catches, and reattach edging strip (using heat‑resistant glue).
• Bulbs and fuses: A single dead LED downlight may not seem like a big deal but it can actually raise suspicion of electrical gremlins.
• Seals: Reseal perished beads around roof lights or external lockers with an appropriate sealant.
• Windscreen chips: When required, using your insurer’s free chip repair service (if it has one) will keep your campervan out of the ‘needs new screen’ column.

Alloys and wheel trims: Spending a small amount on a smart‑repair service will remove curb rash.

Mechanicals

No one expects factory box fresh condition, but they do expect roadworthiness. You should book a full service (if it is due within the next six months or 6,000 miles). Make sure the appropriate service paperwork is thorough and shows oil grade and filter part numbers – vague entries may ring alarm bells. Check coolant strength, top up screen‑wash and inflate the campervan’s tyres to the correct pressure. If you’ve got air suspension, pump it to the recommended ride height before the sale. Finally, run a DPF regen. This is the process where a Diesel Particulate Filter cleans itself by burning off the accumulated soot trapped from the engine’s exhaust, and you can do this by taking your campervan for a 20‑mile blast.

Habitation Checks

A valid habitation certificate proves that the systems are safe (ie. gas, 12‑volt and 230‑volt). At Don Amott our technicians do a hab check before putting used vehicles into stock, so if yours is done already it could tip an offer in your favour.

Upgrades

Not every modification to a campervan increases worth. Stick to items with universal appeal and tangible benefits, as these will maintain value. These can include: Solar panel (selling the dream of a green life and off‑grid freedom), a lithium leisure battery, a reversing camera and cab air-con. To achieve best sale value you should always try to skip highly personal or excessive touches like loud graphics, strobe under‑lighting or quilted dashboard covers. Though they have their appeal, these things do often cheapen the aesthetic and cost money to remove.

Choose Don Amott

There are several reasons to choose selling your campervan to Don Amott rather than opting for a hassle-filled and time-consuming private sale. There are no advertising fees, tyre‑kickers or ‘can you just wait until I get paid?’ messages. 

• Step 1: Your online quote is the first step towards your sale. Just fill in the simple online form or call us. Upload photos and service history for a realistic ballpark figure. 
• Step 2: The collection or drop‑off can happen quickly. We collect nationwide or you can drive to our 48-acre site in Hilton (which will be handy if you’re intending to upgrade your vehicle and want to browse replacements).
• Step 3: The instant payment we offer means funds clear via same‑day bank transfer.

Follow the checklist we’ve offered here and you can sell your campervan with confidence. Celebrating over 60 years in the business, Don Amott is well known as one of Britain’s leisure‑vehicle specialists. Our expertise and buying power mean that we can pay in full, quickly, for makes and models that smaller dealers simply cannot fund. With Don Amott you can complete your sale in as little as 48 hours, with free collection and fast payment, in a completely hassle-free process.