What’s the Best Time of Year to Buy a Motorhome?

There are always good deals available at Go European on both new and used motorhomes, with models ranging from more compact two-berth editions which are perfect for couples or solo travellers, right up to larger vehicles perfect for families on the move. Whichever is right for you, when you buy that motorhome you’re making a significant investment. In other words, you’ll be spending a fair bit of your cash – and it’s likely that you’ll wonder if there’s something you can do to limit the impact on your bank balance. For instance, is there a particular time of year that’s best to buy a motorhome?

In this edition of our blog, we’ll check out the concept of seasonal dynamics, and we’ll explain why certain periods of the year are more advantageous for your budget.

a)      Autumn

One of the best times to buy a new motorhome is early autumn – in other words, September to November. As the summer ends and the full-on motorhome season winds down, dealerships typically start running discount offers on the current year’s stock to make room for the next season’s models.

This transition between this year’s and next year’s models tends to tend to begins around September and can last through to November.

b)      Winter to Spring

Another good time to buy a new motorhome is late winter to early spring – in other words, February to April. Just before the travel season picks up for the year, many dealerships look to boost sales of their vehicles early in the year. There are often offer pre-season discounts, with deals on older stock to make room for the new season models. An added benefit of buying during this period is that you’ve got a fair bit of time to prepare and accessorise your motorhome before the summer arrives.

a) Summer to Autumn

For those looking to buy a used motorhome, late summer to early autumn is often a good time – in other words, August to October. Many motorhome owners reach the end of their summer travels and decide to sell their vehicles (perhaps to upgrade, or perhaps because they’ve decided the lifestyle is no longer for them). With owners selling, there’s often a larger selection of used motorhomes available – privately or through dealerships which offer pre-owned. This time of year, is good for buyers, because the seller may be more motivated to sell quickly before winter – in other words there may be more ‘wriggle room’ on pricing. Like new motorhomes, used motorhomes sold by dealerships can also be subject to end-of-season price drops.

b) Winter to Spring

Another great time for purchasing a used motorhome is late winter to early spring – in other words, January to March. This particular time of year is when many sellers look to offload their vehicles ahead of the new travel season. Buying your motorhome early in the year gives you plenty of time to make any necessary repairs or modifications before the peak travel season arrives.

Whether you have decided to buy a new or used motorhome, doing so during the off-peak season will provide you with several benefits:

• Prices: Particularly if you look for a private sale motorhome, you’ll be able to take advantage of generally better prices during off-peak season as the demand is lower. This reduced demand will translate into better deals, and therefore you’ll have more negotiating power.
• Financing: During the off-peak season, some lenders and financiers may offer more attractive terms to stimulate activity. This might mean you can achieve better rates on a loan deal to buy your motorhome.
• Promotions: Keep an eye out for holiday promotions (Black Friday, Boxing Day and New Year sales). There are often very good discounts and finance deals available during these periods which can result in substantial savings on your motorhome.

The best time to buy a motorhome depends on whether you’re looking for a new or used model, and your personal circumstances. However, regardless of the time of year that you choose to buy a motorhome, thorough market research and patience are key. Keep an eye on the trends around prices to understand how the market moves throughout the year and be prepared to act quickly when a good deal arises, if you possibly can.