Choosing between a new and a used campervan comes down to three things: your budget, the layout you want, and how long you plan to keep it. New gives you the latest spec and a full manufacturer’s warranty. Used usually gets you more van for your money and gets you on the road sooner. Here’s an honest look at both, from a team that has been buying and selling campervans and motorhomes for nearly 20 years.
What does a new campervan cost in 2026?
To give you a real-world example, Swift has just announced its new Merlin campervan range for the 2027 season. As of September 2026, Swift lists prices from £64,190 to £72,690 (Swift Group, 23 September 2026: https://www.swiftgroup.co.uk/news/merlin-campervan/).
For that you get:
- A Fiat Ducato base with a 2.2-litre, 140bhp engine
- Nine layouts: five two-berth fixed-roof models and four four-berth models with an elevating roof
- A 100Ah lithium leisure battery and Whale 6kW heating as standard
- A category B licence requirement on every model, so you can drive it on a standard car licence
It’s a well-specced van. It also shows that a good new campervan now costs well into five figures, which is why so many buyers compare new and used before deciding.
The case for buying new
- The latest spec and layout. You get current tech, fresh upholstery and the newest design thinking.
- You choose. You pick the layout, options and colour to suit you.
- Full manufacturer’s warranty. That’s peace of mind from day one.
- No history to worry about. You’re the first owner.
The trade-offs: you may have to wait for build and delivery. New vehicles also tend to lose the most value in their early years, just like new cars.
The case for buying used
- More van for your money. The same budget can often buy a bigger layout or a higher spec.
- The first owner has already taken the biggest drop in value.
- You can be on the road sooner. There’s no factory lead time.
- You can see it in the flesh first. You can sit in it, make up the bed and check the storage before you commit.
The trade-offs: you’re choosing from what’s available rather than building to order. You also need to be confident about the van’s history and condition, which is where buying from a reputable dealer makes a real difference.
At The Motorhome Man, every vehicle we sell comes with a comprehensive warranty and MOT.
Used campervan checklist: what to look for
If you’re leaning towards used, here’s what we’d check:
- Habitation check and damp report. Ask when the last habitation check was done. Damp is the one problem you really don’t want to inherit.
- Service history. Look for records for both the base vehicle and the habitation side. They’re serviced separately.
- MOT history. You can check any vehicle’s MOT history free on the GOV.UK website. Look for patterns, not just passes.
- Electrics, heating and water. Ask to see the heating, hot water, fridge, lights and leisure battery all working.
- The layout. Picture a wet week away, not just a sunny afternoon. Make the bed up and check there’s enough storage for how you travel.
So, new or used?
There’s no single right answer.
- Go new if you want a specific layout and spec, plan to keep the van for many years, and are happy to wait.
- Go used if you want the best value, would rather have a bigger or better-equipped van for the same money, or want to be touring sooner.
Whichever you choose, buy the van that fits the way you actually tour, not just the one that looks best on the spec sheet.
Selling or part-exchanging your campervan?
If you’re thinking about changing your van, we buy and part-exchange motorhomes and campervans across the UK. Every van is different, so we don’t give valuations online. Send us a WhatsApp with a few details and photos and we’ll get back to you.
Talk to us
Not sure which way to go? We’re always happy to talk it through honestly, with no pressure.
💬 Chat to us on WhatsApp- Browse stock: themotorhomeman.co.uk
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- Visit us: Lower Lacon Holiday Park, Wem, Shropshire, SY4 5RP
Viewings are by appointment only, and we don’t offer test drives at weekends.