Do you have your dream campervan in your sights but don’t have enough money to pay for it? Don’t worry. There are so many ways that you can finance for a campervan without getting yourself into unmanageable debt. Discover them all below!
A bank or personal loan
One of the most popular ways to finance large purchases, a bank loan or personal loan is a good choice for anyone who doesn’t have enough savings but has a good credit rating.
Bank loans tend to offer lower interest rates than personal loans, so it can be a good idea to apply for these first. You may also want to take steps to improve your credit rating before you apply to give yourself the best chance of success.
Hire purchase (HP)
People often buy cars on hire purchase, but it can also be used to purchase a campervan. Hire purchase is when you put down a fixed deposit, for example, 10%, and then pay the rest in monthly installments.
Once you’ve paid the entire agreed amount, you can then take full ownership of the vehicle, or you can upgrade it to a newer model.
Friends and family
If you’re not keen on taking out a loan from a bank or another loan provider, you may want to ask family and friends if they will lend you the money.
This can be a good option and can save you money on high-interest rates. However, it’s important that you stick to the agreed payment plan, or your personal relationships may suffer.
Savings
For those who have savings, you could use this money to finance a campervan. However, if you only have an emergency savings fund, it’s not a good idea to use this as you may need it for more urgent expenditures such as buying a new boiler or fixing a damaged roof.
You should also compare how much you’d be losing in terms of the interest on your savings compared to how much you would be paying out on a loan.
Broker finance
If you don’t want to take out a loan or you can’t because you have bad credit, then broker finance or a broker agreement is a good option for you.
If you haven’t used a broker before, you should know that they’re not lenders. Instead, they use their connections to find you the best rates from banks and other financial institutions.
In the same way that car dealerships work, a broker who specializes in campervans could help you secure a loan for a fee.
Equity release
If you own your own home, you could opt for equity release to purchase a campervan. This is when you take out an advanced loan against the value of the property. Again, make sure that you can afford the repayments, or the bank may take your home.
How to save money on buying a campervan?
If you’re looking to reduce the overall cost of buying a campervan, then you may want to consider buying a used or second-hand vehicle rather than a brand-new one.
These can be significantly cheaper, and as long as you carry out the proper checks, it can last you for many years. Ideally, you should look for a used caravan that’s between three and four years old: any older and it’s more likely to have succumbed to wear and tear or have problems that may be costly to fix.
It’s also beneficial to shop around and look for finance from specialists, for example, Auto Finance Online, and to look to make a purchase at the end of the high season, as this is when you can grab the best bargains.
Don’t be afraid to haggle, especially if you’re buying from a private seller, as you may be surprised at just how low they’re willing to go.
Lastly, if you have a bit of time on your hands and some DIY know-how, then you may want to think about buying a fixer-upper that you can repair and really make your own.
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