🚐 Buying a Used Campervan in Ireland: What to Know Before You Hand Over the Cash

Jun 11, 2025
5 min read

a rusty campervan — A Rusty Campervan Ireland

Ireland is made for campervan adventures — from the windswept Wild Atlantic Way to the peaceful shores of Lough Derg. But if you’re thinking about buying a used campervan in Ireland, especially one that's 15–20 years old, there are a few crucial things you need to check before making the leap.

Older vans can be full of character and charm — but they can also hide some costly surprises. Here's what to look out for.

🔧 1. Chassis Rust: The Silent Dealbreaker

When it comes to old campers, rust is enemy number one. And not just surface rust — we’re talking about structural rust on the chassis.

The chassis is the backbone of the van. If it's weakened or corroded, it's not only expensive to repair — in many cases, it's simply not feasible to rebuild. A rusted chassis can mean the end of the road for a van, no matter how nice the interior looks.

Always ask for copies of the last few years’ CVRT reports. These can highlight any history of rust-related failures. While it's possible that a previous owner carried out rust repairs before a test — meaning it might not show up on the report — it's still a useful indicator of how the van has fared over time.

💡 Top Tip: Always get underneath the van or have a professional do a pre-purchase inspection. Use a torch, look for flaky or soft metal, and tap it gently with a screwdriver. Check sills, rear spring hangers, suspension mounts, and the subframe.

⚙️ 2. Engine Condition, Mileage & Service History

Once the chassis passes inspection, the next big ticket item is the engine. Mileage is a factor, but how it’s been serviced matters more. A well-looked-after engine with 200,000 km is often more reliable than a neglected one with half that.

Ask for:

Service history
Receipts for parts or repairs
Timing belt or chain replacement records (essential in older vans)
Oil leaks or blue smoke on start-up (bad signs!)
Check that the VIN number on the vehicle matches the Log Book

👨‍🔧 A test drive is a must — listen for odd noises, watch how it starts from cold, and pay attention to power delivery, gear changes, and brakes. Always check the ground after moving the van, look for oil leaks!

🛋️ 3. Conversion Quality vs. Base Vehicle Condition

It’s easy to be swayed by a cool looking camper interior — but remember, the base vehicle is more important than the cushions and cupboards. A great looking conversion won’t count for much if the van breaks down in your driveway — or worse, leaves you stranded on a country road in the middle of nowhere. At night.

Prioritise:

Solid chassis
Reliable engine with service history
Mileage
Camper on Log Book
Solid and checked camper electrical system

That said, a good conversion adds value — and it's worth checking how well it’s built. Look for:

Moisture damage or leaks

Musty smells

Overall cleanliness

Ask if you can check the windows for leaks with a hose pipe

⚡ 4. Electrical Safety: Not Just Wires & Switches

Electrics can look neat on the surface but still be dangerous underneath. A bad 12V setup or dodgy inverter can pose serious fire or safety risks.

If the seller did a DIY conversion or doesn’t have clear documentation, get the system professionally inspected before use. Look for:

Fused circuits at all key points
Proper cable sizes (no speaker wire for 12V sockets!)
Quality components like Victron or Sargent
Safe battery storage and ventilation
Leisure battery terminals are not overloaded

🧯 Always ask about fuse ratings, battery charging method (alternator? solar? mains?), and the location of isolation switches. See below for a handy checklist.

⚡ Campervan Electrics Checklist (for Buyers)

Visual Inspection:

Wires are tidy, labelled, and secured (no loose or dangling cables)
No signs of melting, burning, or corrosion
All wires run through grommets where they pass through metal
Cables are correctly sized (not thin like speaker wire)

Fuses & Safety:

Each circuit has a fuse (check near battery and fuse box)
Fuse ratings are marked and appropriate for the wire size

Charging System:

Leisure battery charges from the alternator while driving
Hook-up (EHU) system works and charges the battery
If solar is installed, controller works and is correctly set

Function Test:

Lights, sockets, water pump, fridge, hob ignition all working
Test 12V and 240V systems separately
Inverter (if fitted) works and shuts off safely under load

Equipment Quality:

Reputable brands used (e.g. Victron, Sargent, CBE, Blue Sea)
All electrical items look securely mounted and ventilated

Paperwork:

Ask for the SQI Engineers report, RGI Gas Certificate (if applicable)
Ask for receipts for Inverters, Chargers etc.

⚠️ If anything seems unsafe, unfinished, or unclear — get a professional to inspect it before buying.

🤝 5. Trust Your Gut — And the Seller

The campervan world is full of lovely, helpful people. But like any second-hand market, there are also some less-than-trustworthy sellers.

A good seller will:

Take time to answer your questions
Show you how everything works
Be transparent about the van’s history
Have documentation ready

If something feels off — rushed, vague answers, or unwillingness to let you inspect the van — walk away. There will always be another van.

🕰️ 6. Buying a Campervan in Ireland Takes Time — And Patience

If you're starting your search for a campervan in Ireland, be prepared: it’s not always a quick or straightforward process.

While there may be plenty of vans listed on platforms like DoneDeal, the reality can be frustrating. Some sellers simply don’t respond to messages. Others give vague, one-word replies. It’s not uncommon to discover that the log book (VRC) is missing, or the person selling the van isn't the registered owner. Or you travel across the country and the seller isn't there to meet you.

This kind of experience can be discouraging, especially if you’re new to buying campers. But it’s also part of what makes it so important to spot the difference between a time-waster and a genuine seller.

✅ A genuine seller will be responsive, helpful, and happy to answer your questions.

✅ They’ll offer details about the van’s history, conversion, and condition.

✅ They’ll show you around the camper and give you the time and space to inspect it properly.

When someone is proud of the vehicle they're selling — and has nothing to hide — it usually shows.

⚖️ 6. Laden & Gross Vehicle Weight: Don’t Overload It

Once a van is converted, it needs to stay within legal weight limits — known as the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). If the conversion was heavy and the van is small, you might unknowingly exceed the limit when you pack it for a trip.

Check:

The van’s GVW (on the VIN plate)
The weight of the conversion (ask the builder)
Payload left after conversion
How much water, gear, passengers, and fuel you're adding

Overloading a van can cause handling issues, invalidate your insurance, and even result in fines or points.

🛡️ 7. Campervan Insurance in Ireland

Getting campervan insurance in Ireland is generally straightforward — if the van is:

Properly converted (usually with a bed/seating area, fixed hob, storage and a table)
Registered as a camper on the log book
Roadworthy and has current CVRT

Many insurers will ask for:

Photos of the inside and outside
Photos of the gas locker
The original logbook

📝 Final Thoughts

Buying a used campervan in Ireland can be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make — but it pays to be cautious.

Start by checking the chassis and engine, dig into the service history, and make sure the electrics are safe. Take your time, ask questions, and don’t let a lovely set of fairy lights distract you from a rusty wheel arch.

When in doubt — bring a mechanic or campervan builder with you.

💡 Want peace of mind? At Trekvana Campers, we sell professionally built, gasless VW T6 campervans using trusted components like Victron and Sargent — so you can hit the road with confidence.

👉 Browse our vans at trekvanacampers.ie