Buying a Used Caravan: The Documents to Check (UK 2026)
The pre-purchase document checklist for a UK used caravan — CRiS check, habitation service history, damp readings, ownership proof — and the red flags that signal a stolen or damp-damaged van.
By Jamie Dawson · Editor
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Updated 08 Jun 2026
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3 min read read
Quick answer: When buying a used UK caravan, check four things: the CRiS record (reveals theft, outstanding finance, and keeper — the caravan equivalent of an HPI check), the habitation service history (especially year-on-year damp readings), proof of ownership / bill of sale, and warranty documents. The single most important check is CRiS for theft/finance, and the single biggest risk is damp. Budget for an independent damp survey if the service history is thin.
The pre-purchase checklist
| Document/check | Reveals | How |
|---|---|---|
| CRiS check | Theft, finance, keeper, identity | cris.co.uk / HPI caravan check (£10-£20) |
| Habitation service history | Maintenance, damp readings over time | Ask seller; look for Approved Workshop stamps |
| Damp readings/survey | Water ingress damage | Service history + independent survey |
| Bill of sale | Ownership transfer, terms | Written agreement at purchase |
| Warranty documents | Remaining manufacturer cover | From seller |
| Gas/electric safety | Safety of systems | Recent habitation service or test |
1. CRiS check — do this first
The CRiS (Central Registration & Identification Scheme) check is the caravan equivalent of an HPI check on a car. Using the 17-digit CRiS number etched on the windows, it reveals:
- Whether the caravan is recorded as stolen
- Outstanding finance (which transfers with the caravan)
- The registered keeper
- Whether the identity has been tampered with
See our CRiS registration guide. Never buy without a clean CRiS check.
2. Habitation service history
The service history shows the caravan has been maintained and — crucially — damp monitored year on year. Look for:
- Annual habitation service stamps (ideally from Approved Workshops)
- Year-on-year damp readings (rising readings = developing problem)
- Gas and electrical safety results
- Any remedial work and reseals
A caravan with no service history is higher-risk. See our habitation service records guide.
3. Damp — the biggest risk
Water ingress is the number-one caravan killer. Check:
- The service history damp readings
- Soft spots in walls, floor, around windows (press gently)
- Staining, discolouration, or a musty smell
- Window and seam seals for cracking
- The corners of the caravan (where ingress often starts)
For any caravan over a few years old, an independent damp survey (£50-£100) is cheap insurance against buying a rotten frame.
4. Proof of ownership
Like a car's V5C, CRiS records the keeper, not the owner. Get a written bill of sale recording:
- Buyer and seller details
- Caravan make, model, CRiS number
- Price and date
- Condition statement
- Both signatures
Red flags when buying a used caravan
- CRiS number missing, etched-off, or mismatched across windows (stolen/ringed)
- Seller won't allow a CRiS check or rushes the sale
- No habitation service history
- Soft floors, musty smell, staining (damp)
- Outstanding finance on the CRiS check
- Price well below market (often signals theft or hidden damp)
- Seller has no fixed address or wants cash only
For motorhomes — extra checks
Motorhomes have a DVLA V5C (they're motor vehicles) AND need habitation servicing. Check both the V5C (HPI check for the vehicle side) and the habitation service history. See our motorhome V5C guide.
FAQs
Is buying from a dealer safer than private?
Dealers offer Consumer Rights Act protection (satisfactory quality, as described) and usually pre-check CRiS. Private sales are "buyer beware" — do your own CRiS check and damp survey.
How much should I budget for pre-purchase checks?
CRiS check £10-£20, independent damp survey £50-£100. Cheap relative to the cost of buying a stolen or damp-rotten caravan.
Can I get a caravan independently inspected?
Yes — mobile caravan engineers and Approved Workshops offer pre-purchase inspections covering damp, gas, electrics, and bodywork. Worth it for higher-value purchases.
What if the caravan has outstanding finance?
Don't complete until the finance is settled. The finance company owns the caravan until then and can repossess it from you.
Related guides
- CRiS registration: the caravan logbook explained
- Caravan habitation service records
- Buying a used caravan: documents to check
- Motorhome V5C and registration
Last reviewed 2026-06-08 by Jamie Dawson, Editor.