Buying a used camper

Plenty of people buy a used campervan from a private seller, through an advert or a forum. Some of those vans first came from abroad. The law asks less of a private seller than of a dealer, and an imported van has steps of its own before it goes on the road.

The van must match its description

Section 13 of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 deals with a sale by description. It says "there is an implied term that the goods will correspond with the description". In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, that term is a condition of the contract.

Quality and the private seller

Section 14(2) adds a term that the goods are of satisfactory quality. It applies "Where the seller sells goods in the course of a business". A private seller is not selling in the course of a business.

If something goes wrong after a sale, the Citizens Advice consumer helpline can talk it through on 0808 223 1133. In Northern Ireland, Citizens Advice points people to Consumerline.

Before you pay

Citizens Advice's guide to buying a used car sets out the checks before you pay. It says to view the vehicle in daylight, preferably when it's dry, because damage is harder to spot when it's wet.

It also says, "It's a good idea to meet at a private seller's house so that if something goes wrong after you've bought the car you'll have a record of their address." Citizens Advice says you'll need to be insured for the test drive.

Checking the details

Citizens Advice says to ask the seller for the registration number, the MOT test number, the mileage and the make and model. DVLA's free online checker shows whether what the seller tells you matches DVLA's records. It shows details such as the date the vehicle was first registered, its weight and the last log book (V5C) issue date.

Citizens Advice says to report the seller to the police if the log book doesn't match the vehicle on DVLA's records. Its guide adds, "Never buy a car without the log book." GOV.UK also lets you check a vehicle's MOT history for free.

If the camper was imported

GOV.UK says someone bringing a vehicle permanently into Great Britain must complete certain steps. They must tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) within 14 days that it has arrived. They get vehicle approval to show it meets safety and environmental standards. Then they register and tax it with DVLA, which gives it a registration number.

GOV.UK says, "You can be prosecuted if you use your vehicle on a public road before you complete these steps, unless you're driving it to a pre-booked MOT or vehicle approval test."

Telling DVLA and taxing it

GOV.UK asks people to tell DVLA when they buy a vehicle as the registered keeper. It also says, "You must tax a vehicle you've bought before you drive it, or declare it off the road (a SORN). The tax is not transferred to you when you buy the vehicle."

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