The value retention of motorhomes

The demand for motorhomes has increased significantly in recent years. This has several causes: the growing need for freedom and flexibility in holidays, the aftermath of the corona period in which traveling 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 translates directly into the market: both new and second-hand 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 second-hand?

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 well over 80,000 euros or more, depending on type, brand and equipment.

On the second-hand 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. While 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 a average depreciation of about ten percent per year in the first years.

In euros, that certainly means serious amounts. For a camper 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, for new models, this can even go up to approximately 10,000 euros per year, especially in the initial phase.

But as mentioned, after those first years, depreciation clearly flattens out. A well-maintained camper can then remain relatively stable in value for many 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, campers 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 hurdle. The value retention is a relevant factor: 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 camper can be a good option. In practice, many camper owners opt for a personal loan. With this, you borrow a fixed amount with a fixed term and interest rate. 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 campers are relatively value-retaining, 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 you expect to use the camper.

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

Value retention is more than just numbers

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

This does not automatically make a camper 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.