The value retention of Motorhomes

The demand for Motorhomes has increased significantly in recent years. There are several reasons for this: the growing need for freedom and flexibility in holidays, the aftermath of the corona period in which travel closer to home became popular, and the rising costs of air travel. More and more people are therefore discovering the convenience of traveling with their own home on wheels.

This increasing interest directly translates to the market: both new and used Motorhomes are in demand. Anyone looking to buy one will quickly notice that the offer is wide. But what about purchase prices? And how stable in value is a Motorhome: is it a good investment when you look at the residual value?

What does a Motorhome cost, new or used?

Anyone seriously looking at a Motorhome will quickly see that prices vary widely. New Motorhomes generally start around 40,000 euros and can go up to over 80,000 euros or more, depending on type, brand, and equipment.

On the used market, entry prices are lower, but demand remains high there too. For a decent used Motorhome, you can quickly pay between 25,000 and 60,000 euros, depending on age and condition. Precisely because of these relatively high prices, value retention plays an important role in the consideration.

Motorhomes depreciate less quickly than you think

Compared to cars and Caravans, Motorhomes prove to be surprisingly stable in value. Where a car is often only worth about 40 percent of its new price after three years, this is around 70 percent for Motorhomes. This amounts to an average depreciation of about ten percent per year in the first years.

In euros, this does mean serious amounts. For a Motorhome of 60,000 to 80,000 euros, it quickly amounts to 2,500 to 4,000 euros in value loss per year. In some cases, this can even go up to approximately 10,000 euros per year for new models, especially in the initial phase.

But as mentioned, after those first few years, depreciation clearly flattens out. A well-maintained Motorhome can then remain relatively stable in value for years.

Brand, model, and maintenance also play a major role. Well-known brands and well-documented maintenance history generally ensure a higher residual value.

Interestingly, Motorhomes on average travel relatively few kilometers, often around 7,500 to 12,500 km per year. This limits wear and tear and thus depreciation.

Savings or financing?

For many buyers, the purchase price is a significant barrier. Value retention is a relevant factor here: the better the residual value, the smaller the 'loss' over the term.

For those who cannot or do not want to pay for the purchase entirely from their own resources, borrowing money for a motorhome can be a good option. In practice, many Motorhome owners opt for a personal loan. With this, you borrow a fixed amount with a fixed term and interest. This provides clarity: you know exactly what you pay monthly and when the loan will be repaid. Terms are often between five and ten years, depending on the loan amount.

An important point of attention is the relationship between the term and depreciation. Because Motorhomes are relatively stable in value, the value often remains closer to the outstanding loan amount than, for example, with a car. Nevertheless, it is wise never to finance longer than the period in which you expect to use the Motorhome.

In addition, it is wise to take into account additional costs. Think of insurance, maintenance, storage, and taxes. These come on top of your monthly loan payments and together determine the total cost.

Value retention is more than just numbers

The value retention of Motorhomes is therefore relatively strong, especially compared to other vehicles. But with a larger supply or changing regulations, the market can adapt and with it the residual value. Ultimately, the selling price is always determined by what a buyer is willing to pay at that moment.

That doesn't automatically make a Motorhome a good investment, but it is an asset where the loss of value is often less 'painful' than expected. And what is also important to remember: the value is not only in euros, but also in freedom and flexibility.