The HPI guide to buying a used caravan

1. Research the market place

   Compare prices between advertisements and your local dealer. Don't forget to budget for insurance and routine maintenance.

2. Conduct a Towsafe Multiple Match

   Don't waste your time visiting vans that are not a legal match for your car. The Towsafe Multiple Match gives you a list of safe options to base your choice on. (Details below)

3. Don't deal in the dark

   Make sure you view the caravan in good daylight and don't go alone. Meet at the seller's house and NEVER agree to meet at a service station or lay-by.

4. Request all documentation

   Ask to see the caravan's service history and CRiS registration document. Also, check if the caravan is NCC approved.

5. Check the seller's details

   Make sure the owner is who they say they are. Contact CRiS with the make and model of the tourer and the owner's details to be checked against the information on the CRiS database.

6. Is the caravan on finance?

   Ask if there is outstanding finance and verify by checking through CRiS. If the caravan has not been paid off, it could still be the property of the finance company that could reclaim it.

7. Check the locks

   Inspect all door and window locks for signs of force or replacement. This may mean the caravan has been stolen and look carefully at the CRiS window markings for signs of alteration or removal.

8. Conduct a Towsafe One to One Match

   Contact Towsafe to make sure the selected car and caravan are a safe and legal combination for the road before you close the deal.

Buying rights

There are a number of precautions consumers should take when looking to buy a used caravan.

1. Don't judge a book by its cover; no matter how good a caravan may look, it could be carrying baggage that you can't see. It may be subject to an outstanding finance, so it could be repossessed by the lenders, leaving an unsuspecting buyer without their dream purchase and out of pocket. It could have been written-off by an insurer, or worse, it could be stolen.
2. Bear in mind that consumer protection is far greater when buying from an established dealer than from a private vendor.

Check it out - make the right choice

For less than £15, a call to CRiS on 01722 411430 can give used caravan buyers complete assurance that a tourer does not have a fraudulent history.

For potential buyers a CRiS check:

• compares details of the caravan they are interested in buying with the CRiS registered keeper database
• informs them if a caravan is recorded as stolen, subject to outstanding finance or has had serious accident damage

To complete an instant, online Towsafe match for only £15.95 (for up to five combinations) visit www.towsafe.co.uk or over the phone on 01722 411430 from £9.95 per match.