Let’s face it, last summer was so blissfully warm and sunny you wanted to get away to the peace and quiet of the countryside or the thrill and spills of the beach at practically every opportunity. There may have been just two things holding you up – the wheels to get you there and somewhere to stay overnight.

Invest in a motorhome now and any such problems in the year ahead will be properly done and dusted – you will have a spacious and reliable means of transport and comfortable accommodation once your journey is done.

So, let’s condense some of our top tips into a brief motorhome buying guide.

Think carefully about why you are buying one

We’re in no way suggesting that you begin to question your decision to invest in a motorhome. Far from it. Instead, we’d just like you to be sure you understand what you expect to get out of your motorhome – because that will tell you how you are going to use it.

That, in turn, will inform your thinking about the type of motorhome that is likely to be suitable for your needs. If you plan to use your motorhome regularly for long-distance trips around Europe and with several passengers aboard, for example, you are likely to incline towards certain types of vehicle over others. By contrast, if you are planning to use your motorhome only occasionally in the UK and just over the summer months you are likely to adopt a different approach.

Prepare your finances

Once you have the type of vehicle in mind, whether that is brand new or pre-used, you should start to get a reasonable understanding for the ballpark figure you will probably need to pay for that type of motorhome.

It’s always advisable to be sure in advance just how you plan to finance your motorhome (we can provide help if required). Apart from providing you with peace of mind, it also means you’ll be able to focus on driving a hard deal with the seller.

Don’t emotionally commit based on photos alone

All manufacturers understandably show their products in the very best light in their publicity material. Try to avoid losing your heart to a given motorhome based on that input alone.

There is absolutely no substitute for hard research into the models you are thinking about and, at the same time, getting your hands on them for a personal inspection and test drive.

A motorhome that looks fantastic in an online photograph and presentation might feel completely different to you once you can get to know it up close and personal, perhaps by driving in for an hour or two. So, keep an open mind from the outset.

Take expert advice

Buying a motorhome is not like buying a car. It is very much a specialist subject and any motorhome buying guide should make the point clearly that, unless you have prior in-depth knowledge, you should take expert advice and guidance before deciding on a given vehicle.

Think about parking and storage when not in use

Remember that local laws and your insurance policy might prohibit you from permanently parking your motorhome on the public highway when it is not in use.

Similarly, parking on your driveway or in your back garden might be an easy route to losing friendly relations with your neighbours.

There are often easy solutions to this type of challenge – just be sure you have thought through the issues in advance.

Don’t over-compromise on quality

Economy is always going to be a big issue for any buyer but cutting back on space or facilities in order to save perhaps a modest amount of money, might be something you’ll regret later on. Compromises may, of course, be necessary but go with your instinct where things such as fittings, furnishings and little luxuries are concerned.

Check your licence

The good news is that many motorhomes can be driven on a standard driving licence.

However, the position isn’t always entirely straightforward, as the weight of a motorhome plus the date you passed your test, might both have an impact on the type of vehicle you can drive on that standard licence.

Once again, it’ll be well worth your while to check your driving eligibility on the official government website – https://www.gov.uk/driving-motorhome.