Pre-Purchase Inspection

Compare VIN on the manufacturer's plate, chassis stamping, V5C/Brief and any homologation cert

Red flag: VIN mismatch, peened stamping, disturbed rivets. Walk away.

Run an HPI / finance / theft check on the base-vehicle VIN

EU: verify Fahrzeugbrief / Carte Grise / technický průkaz original present, ownership chain matches

Read the service book — base vehicle, habitation, gas, damp check stamps

Red flag: multi-year gaps in damp checks void manufacturer water-ingress warranty.

Confirm a current gas certificate (G607 in DE, habitation check in UK) within 24 months

Compare service-book mileages, MOT history (UK gov.uk) and wear of pedals/steering wheel against the claimed mileage

Red flag: mileage gaps, very low mileage with heavy wear.

Cross-check VIN against open recalls (KBA Germany, DVSA UK, manufacturer importer)

Notable: Knaus/Weinsberg semi-integrated B-pillar fairing recall (KBA 2301), MY2012–2021, ~26,000 vehicles.

Search VIN against published emissions-defeat litigation lists (wohnmobil-schadensersatz.de et al.)

Hymer, Niesmann+Bischoff, Eura Mobil, Frankia, Morelo have been named in Fiat/Iveco emissions cases. Resale-value and environmental-zone risk.

Confirm Euro emissions class on V5/Brief — affects LEZ access in DE/FR/IT/UK city zones

Euro 3/4 motorhomes may be barred from urban environmental zones (DE Umweltzone, FR Crit'Air, London ULEZ).

Photograph the weight plate: MRO/MiRO, MTPLM/GVW, max axle loads

Verify weight-plate values match the registration document and the COC

Calculate real-world payload (MTPLM − MiRO) and subtract owner-fitted heavy accessories (bike rack, satellite, second battery, awning, scooter)

Red flag: payload eroded below ~300 kg makes touring unsafe and likely illegal once loaded.

Where possible, weigh the motorhome on a public weighbridge with full water, gas and owner load

Brand check: Carthago e-line / liner-for-two — payload as low as ~300 kg on Fiat-based variants; verify the heavier-chassis option

Brand check: Niesmann+Bischoff iSmove — weigh as-delivered against 3.5 t target; engineered to the limit

Walk around the vehicle in raking light looking for ripples, dimples, hail dimpling and star cracks on all panels

Knuckle-tap exterior wall panels and roof — listen for a uniform thud vs hollow note (delamination)

Inspect every panel edge, corner moulding and joint cover for skin lifting

Inspect decal edges for lifting, blistering and corrosion underneath

Inspect plastic side skirts, rear-light surrounds and garage-door covers for hairline cracks

Brand check: Eura Mobil — inspect all plastic cladding for hairline cracks at fixings and corners

Stress cracking attributed to incorrect (too rigid) adhesive in production.

Brand check: Eura Mobil Profila — confirm 2023 electrical-connector fire-hazard recall completion (Aug 2023)

Brand check: Frankia (pre-Neo) — visual scan of plastic cladding seams; cycle every external locker push-lock several times

Inspect every roof seam, antenna and rooflight surround — sealant must be pliable, not cracked or shrunken

Inspect solar-panel mount feet and gland sealant where cables enter the roof

Inspect the full awning rail externally for lifted sealant and pull-tested screws

Brand check: Knaus Sky TI / Sun TI (pre-2016) — damp-meter top-front corner and front skylight surround

Construction method changed in 2016 — pre-2016 vehicles prone to water ingress at the top-front roof seam.

Brand check: Knaus Boxstar LFI (2022+) — inspect pop-top lift-roof shell for hairline cracks at corners and hinge mounts

Cracks in LFI lift-roof structure lead to water ingress and mould.

Brand check: Chausson Welcome — damp-meter along the roof-to-sidewall joint (cant rail)

Brand check: Pilote Reference (2010+) — damp-meter the perimeter of every roof light and around the garage-door frame

Brand check: Rapido (2018-era 696F and adjacent) — damp-meter window perimeters and around rooflights

Take damp-meter readings systematically at every wall–floor junction, all four corners, around every window and rooflight, both sides of the door, beneath every grab handle and awning-rail screw line

Thresholds (C&MC): 0–15% OK, 15–20% monitor, 20–24% likely early ingress, 25–30% remedial work required, 31%+ structural damage.

Tap-test the rear panel and lower wall edges; meter the floor/wall junction inside every locker and rear garage

Meter all four corners of every window and rooflight, internally and externally

Meter the garage floor seams, rear corners and ceiling above the garage

Meter the floor under the fridge; run fridge 24 h on 230 V and check for condensation overflow

Lift wallpaper, push into corners, lift cushion bases — surface readings can read low when rot is deeper

Brand check: Hymer pre-2014 PUAL era — damp-meter perimeter of floor inside garage, around wheel arches and base of sidewalls

PUAL marketed as 'wood-free' but floor structure still contains timber elements. Water enters at wheel-arch/sidewall junction and rots the bottom layer.

Brand check: Carthago c-line/e-line — lift garage flooring at rear corners; damp-meter rear ceiling and around waste-water drain tap area

Brand check: Dethleffs Trend/Esprit/Globebus — remove rear light covers; inspect ski-locker corners; check sealant continuity at bike-rack threaded inserts

Cross-model issue: water tracks from rear bike-rack mounts into rear light cluster and behind into the rear wall.

Brand check: Laika Ecovip/Kreos — press on the garage door panel; feel for sponginess and inspect the bottom edge

Replacement doors deteriorate again within ~2 years if water ingress source is not fixed.

Brand check: Knaus Sun TI 700 — pressurise the fresh-water system overnight and check garage floor and chassis underside

Recurring leaks at fresh-water tank pipework; waste-water pipe failures also reported.

Walk every square foot of the floor in stockinged feet — feel for sponginess and give

Pre-2007 Sevel base vehicles (Ducato/Boxer/Jumper) are NOT fully galvanised — pay extra attention to sills, wheel arches and sliding-door rails

Inspect underside front crossmember and front RH chassis leg (washer-bottle drips collect here) on Fiat Ducato / Peugeot Boxer

Red flag: bubbling, flaking metal, white powdery residue inside crossmember, perforation.

Mercedes Sprinter W906/W907 — lift cab carpets and inspect inner sills, A-pillar bases, lower door frames, wheel-arch lips and rear door frames

Salt-belt vehicles particularly affected (~30%). T1N legacy of poor cataphoretic coverage at seams.

Ford Transit 2.0 EcoBlue (2016+) — confirm wet-belt change history (with idlers + tensioners + oil pickup screen clean)

Failures from 60k miles / 3–4 yrs. Belt debris clogs oil pickup → oil starvation → engine destruction. Ford UK shortened interval in 2024 to 6 yr / 100k miles.

Brand check: Hymer ML-T (pre-2017) — crawl underneath; inspect Styrofoam tank cladding of underslung rear water tank for splits/crush damage

Long rear overhang causes underbody contact; splits Styrofoam cladding.

Brand check: Itineo A-class — with engine running, sniff for exhaust/fume ingress at base of dash

Documented defect: engine-bay perimeter sealing inadequate; fumes can enter cabin. Safety-relevant.

Brand check: Malibu (Carthago) early production — walk garage/floor for sponginess; cycle habitation door at varying jack levels

Floor delamination on early-production units (later corrected). Habitation door close-quality varies with levelling — suggests body flex.

Read the 4-digit DOT code on every tyre (WW/YY) and the spare

Replace motorhome tyres at 5–7 years regardless of tread. Red flag: tyres over 6 years old, sidewall cracking, mismatched DOT dates.

Visual inspection of dampers for oil weep; bounce-test at each corner

Brake firmly from 50 km/h on level surface — vehicle should track straight, pedal firm, no shudder

Red flag: pull to one side, spongy pedal, shudder under braking (warped discs from long storage).

If hydraulic levellers fitted: cycle full deploy/retract on level ground; check for hydraulic weep at each ram

Red flag: slow drop on one corner (failed seal), pump runs continuously.

Confirm spare wheel (if fitted), jack, brace and locking-nut key are present

Open the habitation door at full extension; check all locking points engage

If Hartal lock: operate key from outside and lever from inside — should not bind

Cycle electric step in/out from switch and door interlock

Red flag: step extends but won't retract (motor/limit switch), rust at mounting bracket.

Every Zadi/Hartal external locker lock — key turns, locks, doors aligned with body

Brand check: Morelo Empire Liner/Loft/Palace — cycle entry door 10×; upper bolt must engage and release reliably

Documented: upper lock sticks while lower releases — emergency mechanical unlock required.

Inspect every Seitz/Dometic Heki dome for crazing and cracks at hinge mounting points

Wind each rooflight fully open and closed — check for binding

Inspect every acrylic side window for spider crazing and cloudy delamination of double-acrylic panes

Pull each blind and flyscreen fully; release slowly

Brand check: Hymer Starline (older) — inspect bathroom sink around plug hole for cracking

Confirm a current gas certificate (G607 / habitation gas check) within the past 24 months

Read regulator date stamp — mandatory replacement at 10 years per DVGW G 607

Check date stamp on every flexible gas hose — replace at 10 years

Witness a pressure-drop leak test per EN 1949; spray-test each appliance joint

Confirm gas locker drain hole(s) unobstructed and exit clear of any habitation aperture

If a crash-sensor/safety valve (e.g. Truma SecuMotion / MonoControl CS) is fitted, verify operation

Confirm each fixed appliance is EN-compliant (CE/UKCA marked) and flues terminate externally

Press the RCD test button and confirm clean trip; verify MCB sizing

Measure leisure battery rest voltage (≥12.7 V; ≥12.8 V AGM)

Apply load; voltage should hold above ~12.0 V

If Schaudt Elektroblock: test 12 V outputs, mains charge output, behaviour with solar

Red flag: EBL99 mains-charge fault, burnt connectors, output above 15 V.

If CBE / Nordelettronica: same outputs and charger function; verify panel readout matches measured voltages

Verify solar regulator output matches battery type setting; inspect MC4 connectors

If inverter fitted: verify protected sockets, surge limits, automatic shutdown

Test every socket, light and USB under load; inspect EHU socket for burn marks

Brand check: Concorde — inspect leisure-battery health and charge profile (smart alternator can damage AGM banks within 3 years)

Brand check: Sunlight / Carado — verify solar/charger parameters vs battery type spec

Factory-set parameters incorrect on some builds — overcharge risk for the battery bank.

Fill fresh tank and check for weeps; drain waste tank and look for cracks

Run every tap — pump should prime quickly and not short-cycle

If Truma Combi: verify FrostControl valve closes below ~3 °C and can be reset by hand

Flex visible runs of cold pipework

On any Thetford cassette over 4–6 years since seal replacement, expect lip seal at end-of-life

Brand check: Adria (2018–2020) — inspect every accessible Reich push-fit connection under sink, behind locker walls, around boiler

Brand check: Adria Matrix/Sonic/Coral — lift shower-tray cover and inspect drain plastic for hairline cracks

If Truma Combi: light from cold on gas and on electric; verify both elements; inspect exhaust terminal

If Truma Combi D (diesel): cold-start sequence, fuel-line priming, no excessive smoke

If Alde: check expansion-tank fluid colour and odour; verify glycol change record (Blue G11: 2 yrs; Pink Premium: 5 yrs)

If Alde: inspect every radiator joint and circulation pump operation

If Webasto/Eberspächer diesel air heater: cold-start, healthy fan ramp, smoke only at startup

Inspect external flue cowl and pipe for corrosion holes and loose clamps

Run hot water from the mixer tap on each energy source; verify thermostat range

If the heater controller exposes an hour count, read it and compare to vehicle age

Run absorption fridge on all three energy sources for ≥6 hours; verify temperature drop; van must be level

Toggle AES/MES through gas / 12 V / 230 V — auto-mode must switch sources

Remove external vent; inspect burner for soot, spider webs, blockages

Banknote test the fridge door seal on all four sides

If 12 V compressor fridge: verify start-up draw, steady current, fan operation

Press cushions firmly; observe rebound and look for crumbling under covers

Open access panels behind beds and wardrobes; check timber framing

Brand check: Carthago — operate drop-down bed full cycle on electric and manual; check bed cannot release downward in transit

Brand check: Chausson — cycle the electric drop-down bed multiple full cycles; listen for motor strain

Brand check: Morelo — inspect solar-panel bonding for lifted edges

Morelo-stated adhesive limits: 120 °C short-term / 80 °C continuous; southern Europe roof temps can exceed this.

Cold start from stone-cold; listen for injector knock and observe smoke colour

Red flag: persistent blue smoke (oil), white smoke (head gasket / glow plugs), heavy diesel knock.

Fiat Ducato X250 (2007–2011): from cold, reverse on level surface from rest — feel for judder

Reverse-gear ratio too high + undersized clutch + soft engine mounts. Pre-April 2009 vehicles untrustworthy unless modified. Confirm software update + revised mount history.

Fiat Ducato ML6 manual gearbox: test 5th gear at motorway speed for whine

Documented 'dreaded 5th-gear issue': bearing wears, then fails.

Fiat Ducato X290 (2014–2021): verify EGR-pipe fracture recall completion via VIN at Fiat Professional

Fiat Ducato 9-speed auto (2019+): test in stop/start traffic for harsh 1–2 / 2–1 shifts; scan TCM codes

Fiat Ducato X295 (2021+): inspect AdBlue filler cap vent for crystals; pull stored SCR fault history (P20xx codes); compare AdBlue range readout vs odometer

Documented cluster: AdBlue cap vent crystallises → vacuum → tank collapses → outflow pipe snaps. Out-of-warranty replacement around €1,800.

Mercedes Sprinter W906 manual: through full gear range from cold — 5th/6th must select cleanly

Cable goes out of adjustment over time — re-adjustment procedure documented.

Mercedes Sprinter (2010–2016 BlueTec): OBD scan for stored NOx / DPF / DEF codes

VW Crafter Gen 2 (2017+): long drive at varying speed for DSG shift shock; OBD scan for SCR/DPF codes

Brand check: Concorde Charisma/Liner on Iveco (pre-2011/12): test AMT through full speed range; watch for hesitation / 'N' defaults

Brand check: Pössl Campster — test-drive on a steep gradient if possible; inspect pop-top roof full cycle

Brake firmly from 50 km/h on level — vehicle should track straight, pedal firm

Cab AC — vent temperatures below ~10 °C at idle after a few minutes

Reversing camera & parking sensors: live image, sensor beeps

If hydraulic/electric levellers: full deploy/retract on level ground; full retraction must complete before driving