- Caravans and Motorhomes
Caravan and Motorhome Pre-Purchase Inspection
Buying a used caravan, camper trailer or motorhome? We inspect it where it’s parked across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. Every van is different, so call 1800 372 001 for a quote and we’ll agree what to check.
What We Check
What a Caravan Pre-Purchase Inspection Covers
A caravan pre-purchase inspection looks at the things that make a used van expensive to own: water getting in, a tired chassis and running gear, and paperwork that doesn’t line up. A caravan has no engine or gearbox, so instead of the 150-point car list, the inspector checks the body and seals for leaks and soft spots, the chassis, drawbar and coupling, the axles, springs, brakes and tyres, and the fittings inside. A motorhome gets the vehicle checks as well, from the engine to the road test. Every van is different, so call 1800 372 001 for a quote: tell us the make, size and age, where it’s parked, and anything that worries you, and we’ll agree what to check.
You get a report with photos the same day, and we inspect across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.
Quote
By phone, before you book
The Checks
What We Look at on a Caravan
The questions that decide what a used van is worth:
Water and Seals
Stains, soft walls or floors, and tired seals around windows, hatches and joins
Chassis and Drawbar
Rust, cracks and repairs on the chassis, drawbar, coupling and safety chains
Running Gear
Axles, springs, shock absorbers, brakes and the breakaway system, where fitted
Tyres and Wheels
Tyre age and condition, including the spare, and the wheels
Paperwork
What the Seller Has to Give You
When a registered caravan or motorhome changes hands in Queensland, the buyer has 14 days to transfer the registration, and the seller has to provide some of the paperwork. Under the Queensland Government’s transfer rules, that means:
- A current safety certificate: for a motorhome up to 4.5 tonnes, or a caravan with an ATM of 750 kg to 4,500 kg
- A gas certificate less than 3 months old, if there's a gas system (caravans and motorhomes aren't exempt)
- The registration transfer form, signed by both of you
- Before you pay, a $2 PPSR search: caravans can be recorded as written off too
A licensed gas fitter issues the gas certificate, and an approved inspection station the safety certificate. Our inspection is separate: it tells you the van’s condition before you commit.
Towing
Towing It Home
Before you hitch up, make sure your car can tow it. Queensland’s towing rules let you tow a van whose ATM is above your car’s rated towing capacity, as long as it isn’t loaded beyond that capacity.
Towing Capacity
Your car's limit is in the owner's manual. Stay under it.
Weigh It
Not sure what the van weighs loaded? Use a public weighbridge.
Tow Bar Rating
The tow bar and coupling need to be rated for the loaded van.
Areas
Where We Inspect Caravans
At homes, caravan parks, storage yards and dealers across South East Queensland:
- Brisbane
- Gold Coast
- Sunshine Coast
And the areas around them, from Ipswich and Logan to Moreton Bay, Redland and Tweed Heads.
Motorhomes
Caravan or Motorhome?
A motorhome is a vehicle and a home in one, so it needs both checked: the engine, gearbox, brakes and steering as well as the living space. The rules differ too. In Queensland, a motorhome sold by a licensed dealer generally comes with a statutory warranty, but a caravan doesn’t. Motorhomes over 4.5 tonnes GVM need a certificate of inspection rather than a safety certificate.
How much does a caravan inspection cost?
It depends on the van, so we quote by phone. Call 1800 372 001 with the make, size, age and location.
Do you inspect camper trailers?
Yes, and caravans, pop-tops and motorhomes. Tell us what it is when you call.
Do you check the gas and 240-volt systems?
We look at what’s visible and report anything that concerns us. The gas certificate has to come from a licensed gas fitter, and 240-volt wiring is a job for a licensed electrician.
Can you inspect a van at a caravan park or storage yard?
Yes, if the owner or the park lets us get to it. We arrange the time with you and the seller.
When do I get the report?
The same day, as a digital report with photos.
Get a Caravan Inspection Quote
Call 1800 372 001, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm (Sundays by appointment). Tell us what the van is and where it’s parked, and we’ll quote and book the inspection.