Buying a used A-Class motorhome for under £25,000

2000 NEISMANN + BISCHOFF ARTO 59B  £21,750 OCT MOTORHOMES
Miles: 51,500  Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato 2.8TD Berths: 4  Belts: 3
Length: 6.05m  Width: 2.25m  Height: 2.90m  MTPLM: 3,500  Payload: n/a

Description: Right-hand-drive "A-Class" motorhome with double skinned floor; large drop down double bed; full length settee making either a single or a double bed; drop leaf dining table with side shelves; single swivel arm chair; rear kitchen with hob; 3-way fridge, sink / drainer and cupboard storage; wardrobe and T/V cabinet, overhead lockers and under seat storage; shower room with cassette toilet

Plus: Superb driving experience; brand new windscreen
Minus: The windscreen fear factor; no oven

Mart's impressions
What a great price this is for a motorhome that so many people aspire to. I know what you're thinking; one look at that vast expanse of windscreen might frighten the novice, yet coach drivers cover more miles in a month than most motorhomes do in a year and broken windscreen are very uncommon. OCT Motorhomes somehow managed to break the one in this Arto on the premises, but they must have been trying really hard. What is interesting is that the replacement arrived from the Continent within three days – quite a comforting thought if you were worried about it. I won't mention the actual cost, only to say that as long as you pick your insurance well, you should only be about £100 out of pocket.



Mart's verdict
Perfect for fans of wide open spaces. This generally well-loved motorhome can't fail to be a great buy at this price. Don't be taken in by its apparent size either, as it's on a par with an Autocruise coachbuilt Stargazer or Starquest.

2002 EURA MOBIL INTEGRA 635 HS    £24,995 OCT MOTORHOMES
Miles: 39,500  Base vehicle: Fiat Ducato Al-Ko 2.8JTD Berths: 4  Belts: 2
Length: 6.44m  Width: 2.28m  Height: 3.08m  MTPLM: 3,850kg  Payload: 800kg

Description:  Isringhausen pilot seats; power steering; cruise control; double floor; U-shaped lounge seating; separate shower; air conditioning; cab roof bed; oven; washroom with toilet and separate shower; Trumatic blown-air heating and hot water; awning; tow bar

Plus: Superb cab; cruise control, very high specification
Minus: The weight could be an issue for some drivers

Mart's impressions
The Integra has a more conventional look about it than the Arto, mainly because the windscreen doesn’t go so far up to the roofline, also giving it a more substantial and robust look. There is a door on each side, immediately behind the front seats, both providing easier access than the original cab versions. There is a locker door at the rear, nearside, which gives you access to the storage space between the double floor. You will have to be a bit careful about what you put in here, because there is nothing to prevent items from rolling into accessible nooks and crannies. You could get some quite bulky fishing rod holdalls in here, but it isn’t suitable for wider items such as surf boards. There is a cycle rack attached to the rear wall.



Mart’s verdict

The Integra is so well built that you feel both comfortable and secure when sitting inside. It doesn’t use the space anywhere nearly as well as the Arto, but gives ridiculously good value for two people at this price.

Insurance:  (same as the Arto) £249.73 unlimited cover through Shield Total Insurance (55 year-old male with no claims or driving convictions living in a low-rated postcode area). Excess £100, or £50 through the approved fitter.

A greatly extended version of this feature appears in the March issue of Caravan Motorhome & Camping Mart - on sale 11 February 2011.
Click here to order your copy.