What is my caravan worth?

There is no official price guide for caravans in the way there is for cars. No CAP or Glass's, no registration lookup that spits out a number. That is why so many owners end up guessing, or taking the first figure a dealer offers them.

What actually decides the value

Five things move the number more than anything else.

• Age and model. A well regarded layout from a good year holds value far better than a rare one nobody asks for.
• Damp. The single biggest factor. A reading of a few per cent in one panel is very different from a soft floor and delaminated walls.
• Layout and berths. Fixed beds and end washrooms sell quickly. Unusual layouts sit around.
• Condition inside. Upholstery, blinds, the state of the washroom. Cosmetic, but it sets the tone.
• What comes with it. Motor mover, awning, service history and both keys all add real money.

Why we ask what you are hoping for

People are often surprised that the form asks for your asking price. It is not a trick to anchor you low. It is so nobody wastes a week finding out we are nowhere near each other.

If what you want is realistic, we will say so and move quickly. If it is a long way from what the caravan is worth, we will tell you straight away and explain why, and you can go away and think about it. Either way you get an honest answer the same week rather than a month of polite messages.

Getting a more accurate number

The more you tell us, the tighter the valuation. Worth including on the form:

• Berths and layout, and whether the bed is fixed or made up
• Any damp you know about, and roughly where it is
• When it was last serviced or damp checked
• Extras included: mover, awning, solar, air con
• Where it is kept and how soon you want it gone

Being straight about faults works in your favour. An offer made on accurate information is an offer that still stands when we arrive.