New or pre-owned motorhome in Ireland, which should you buy?
Deciding between a new or pre-owned motorhome in Ireland comes down to more than budget. Warranty cover, how quickly the vehicle loses value, how you plan to pay for it and whether you want a layout built to your own specifications will all help determine which route makes sense. This guide walks through each factor so you can arrive at a viewing with a clear head. It is worth a read, so grab a cuppa.
New or pre-owned, what are you really choosing between?
Ideally, we all want a brand spanking new motorhome. But it is not always the best choice either. A new motorhome comes straight from the manufacturer with no history to check, no marks or stains, it has the latest chassis technology and full warranty cover from day one, especially for the roof. A pre-owned motorhome has already taken the sharpest fall in value, the drop that hits every motorhome hardest in its first years, which usually means more motorhome for the money. Just maybe not the one you really wanted.
The wee table below sets out the main differences at a glance.
| Factor | New motorhome | Pre-owned motorhome |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Higher cost | Lower for similar layout |
| Depreciation | Steepest in the first years | Largely absorbed by the first owner or owners |
| Factor | New motorhome | Pre-owned motorhome |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty | Full manufacturer and structural cover incl roof | May be partial or probably expired |
| Custom layout | Built to your own specification | Limited to what is in stock |
| Ready to travel | Lead time to build and deliver | Often available now |
Neither option is automatically the smarter buy. A young family planning years of touring holidays might value the reassurance of a full warranty. A retired couple testing the waters before committing to bigger trips might prefer a well maintained pre-owned model at a lower price. The right answer depends on your budget, how long you intend to keep the vehicle and how much risk you are comfortable carrying. For many this is all totally new territory.
Warranty cover on a new or pre-owned motorhome
This is usually the deciding factor for first time buyers. New Knaus motorhomes typically carry a two year manufacturer warranty, alongside a much longer structural warranty, commonly ten years, covering water ingress into the GRP body shell. Water ingress is one of the most expensive faults to put right on any motorhome. If it can be put right. The roof is critical.
To keep that structural warranty valid, the vehicle needs an annual habitation check carried out by an approved technician. Missing a year can void the cover even when the motorhome is otherwise in good condition, so it is worth asking any seller, new or pre-owned, whether the service history is complete.
With a pre-owned motorhome, the manufacturer warranty may have expired or be partway through its term, depending on the age of the vehicle. Some pre-owned motorhomes still carry the balance of their original structural warranty, which is so so worth checking before you buy rather than after. A dealer who has already carried out a mechanical inspection and can show a clean habitation record takes a lot of the guesswork out of this.
Considering a pre-owned Knaus? Our pre-owned motorhomes come with a full mechanical inspection so you know exactly what warranty position you are buying into.
Depreciation and how motorhome values hold up
Like any vehicle, a new motorhome loses the most value in its first year or two on the road. Buying pre-owned means someone else has already taken that early hit, maybe a few hits, which is one of the strongest financial arguments for going pre-owned when your priority is value for money.
The other side of this is that a new motorhome, particularly a well regarded brand like Knaus, tends to hold its value more steadily once the first couple of years have passed. Buyers researching a new build now are often the same people who will want a strong resale figure in five or six years, so the brand and build quality you choose at the outset still matters even when you are buying new.
Condition, mileage and how well a motorhome has been looked after affect resale value just as much as age. A motorhome that is ten years old with a complete service history and no damp problems can hold its value better than a five year old one that has been neglected. Damp is a killer.
Financing a new or pre-owned motorhome
Most buyers in Ireland finance a motorhome through hire purchase, or HP, which means a deposit followed by fixed monthly instalments over an agreed term, typically five years, before you own the vehicle outright. Personal contract purchase, or PCP, is more often tied to new vehicles and is used less here, largely because it runs over a shorter term with a larger final payment.
New motorhomes are generally easier to finance since lenders can value them precisely against the manufacturer list price. Pre-owned motorhomes can still be financed, though some lenders apply an age limit on the vehicle at the end of the agreement, so it is worth checking this early when you are looking at an older pre-owned model.
Whichever route you choose, get a firm figure for the total cost of the finance, not just the monthly payment, before you commit. A lower monthly cost on a longer term can end up costing more overall once interest is added.
Custom orders versus buying what is already on the yard
One advantage of buying new that pre-owned cannot match is the ability to order a custom layout. As the national Knaus Tabbert agent in Ireland, we can work with you directly on your own specification, from berth count and kitchen layout to chassis options, rather than choosing from whatever happens to be in stock.
This matters more than it might seem. A motorhome is a significant purchase you will likely use for years, and the gap between a layout that suits your family and one that almost suits it becomes obvious after a few trips. When a specific configuration matters to you, a custom order through our new motorhomes range is worth exploring before you settle for the nearest available pre-owned match.
That said, custom orders take longer to arrive than driving away in a pre-owned motorhome that is ready now. When timing matters, for example if you already have a trip booked, that lead time needs to factor into your decision.
Condition checks on a pre-owned motorhome
Buying pre-owned rewards a careful look before you commit. Damp is the biggest risk with any motorhome. Water ingress around windows, roof seams, and habitation doors can cause expensive structural damage that is not always obvious on a quick viewing. Ask for a damp meter reading and a full service history, and be wary of any seller who cannot provide either.
Beyond damp, check the condition of the chassis cab separately from the habitation area. These are often serviced by different specialists, so a motorhome with a spotless engine history can still have a neglected habitation side, and the reverse is also true. A thorough mechanical inspection covering both should be part of any pre-owned purchase.
When you already know what you are looking for but cannot find it in current stock, our sourcing service tracks down specific pre-owned models to your requirements and carries out that inspection on your behalf before you buy.
Find your ideal setup
Whether you are leaning towards a brand-new vehicle or a quality pre-owned model, customising your layout to fit your travel style makes all the difference. Try out the Donegal Motorhomes Configurator to build, tailor, and explore the exact features, options, and specifications that match your budget and adventure goals in Ireland.
Find your ideal setup
Whether you are leaning towards a brand-new vehicle or a quality pre-owned model, customising your layout to fit your travel style makes all the difference. Try out the Donegal Motorhomes Configurator to build, tailor, and explore the exact features, options, and specifications that match your budget and adventure goals in Ireland.
Why buy through Donegal Motorhomes
Liam Ruxton established Donegal Motorhomes in Letterkenny, County Donegal, in 2003. Over 20 years on, the business remains Ireland’s national Knaus Tabbert agent, supplying both new and pre-owned motorhomes from the same yard. That length of time in the trade means every pre-owned motorhome is inspected by a team that also builds and services new Knaus vehicles day to day, so the same standard applies whichever route you choose. Liam knows more about motorhomes than most people in the country. He can configure them in his head. He can source them across Europe. He is a bit unusual is our Liam.
We also run a dedicated habitation service to keep your warranty valid year after year, whether your motorhome came from us or elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
Is a new or pre-owned motorhome better for a first time buyer?
Many first time buyers prefer pre-owned since it lowers the initial outlay and lets you learn what layout and features actually suit your travel style before committing to a custom new order. A full warranty and inspection on the pre-owned vehicle takes most of the risk out of this route. Usually your first pre-owned model will not be your last, or your for ever motorhome, it is just a way of testing the waters.
How long is the warranty on a new Knaus motorhome?
New Knaus motorhomes typically carry a manufacturer warranty of around two years, plus a longer structural warranty against water ingress into the body shell, commonly ten years, provided the annual habitation check is kept up to date.
Can I still get warranty cover on a pre-owned motorhome?
Some pre-owned motorhomes still carry the remainder of their original structural warranty. Ask the seller for the service and habitation history before you buy so you know exactly what cover, if any, transfers with the vehicle. Get this in writing.
Can I design my own Knaus motorhome online?
Yes, you can set your preferred layout, chassis and options before speaking to us. Start with our Knaus motorhome configurator and we will turn your build into a firm quote.
How long is the warranty on a new Knaus motorhome?
New Knaus motorhomes typically carry a manufacturer warranty of around two years, plus a longer structural warranty against water ingress into the body shell, commonly ten years, provided the annual habitation check is kept up to date.
Talk to Donegal Motorhomes
Whichever way you lean, the decision is easier with someone who works across both new and pre-owned every day. As Ireland’s national Knaus Tabbert agent for over 20 years, Donegal Motorhomes can talk you through a custom new order, a fully inspected pre-owned model, or a sourcing search for something specific. Contact our team in Letterkenny to talk through what suits you, in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. Give Liam a call and get started. He does not charge consultation fees, although he should do.