Are you looking for an alternative to renting a holiday home? A motorhome offers you real freedom, allowing you to see a lot of the country while enjoying a certain level of comfort. So you're thinking of buying a motorhome and spending your camping holidays in your own vehicle. This article explains how much a motorhome costs.
Understanding the cost of a motorhome
To get a good idea of the cost of a motorhome, it's essential to consider not only the purchase price, but also the expenses associated with its use. Insurance, for example, is an unavoidable expense. The average cost varies between €200 and €600 a year, but can be much higher for certain top-of-the-range models.
Maintenance also represents a significant part of the budget. For a diesel motorhome travelling 10 to 12,000 km a year, you need to budget around 110 euros a month.
Finally, there are additional expenses, such as fuel, roadworthiness tests, winter storage, and possibly motorway tolls (although motorhome drivers rarely use the high-speed network)...
Variation in rates according to vehicle type
The price of a motorhome can vary considerably depending on the type of vehicle you choose.
- Fitted vans are generally more affordable, costing between €35,000 and €100,000. They are appreciated for their versatility and ease of driving.
- Profile motorhomes and MPVs represent a more substantial investment. Prices range from €60,000 to over €300,000 for top-of-the-range models, offering maximum comfort.
- Finally, integral motorhomes are among the most expensive vehicles. Their luxurious design and top-of-the-range equipment justify a price tag that can exceed €100,000.
It's a good idea to assess your needs and budget before buying a motorhome.
The influence of options on the final price
The options on a motorhome have a decisive effect on the final price. These options can range from safety equipment to comfort features.
- Safety equipment: certain safety equipment such as alarms, gas detectors or a reversing camera can increase the price. However, they also increase the safety of your vehicle.
- Comfort equipment: comfort options such as air conditioning, solar panels or interior blinds also have an impact on cost. They offer a better travel experience but require additional investment.
- Specific fittings: fittings such as a fitted kitchen, bathroom or extensive storage space can also push up the price.
It's a good idea to assess your needs and budget before choosing the options for your vehicle. Remember, some options can be added at a later date, allowing you to spread the costs over time.
Cost of a new or used motorhome
When it comes to buying a motorhome, prices can vary considerably.
The cost of a new motorhome can range from €52,000 for a van and €78,800 for a basic integral model, to over €820,000 for a top-of-the-range liner. The average price for a profile is around €74,100.
Prices for used motorhomes are generally lower, but depend on a number of factors, such as the age of the vehicle, its condition, the mileage and the equipment included. For example, a used converted van may be available for as little as €8,700.
Note that these figures are indicative and may vary depending on the market and dealers.
To find out the average selling price of a motorhome by model, consult the Cote Officielle de l'Occasion, compiled by the Dica (Fédération nationale des distributeurs de véhicules de loisirs), which provides an average selling price for a motorhome.
Buy or rent: price comparison
When it comes to choosing between buying and hiring a motorhome, prices play a crucial role.
Rental prices are influenced by a number of factors, including the season, the type of vehicle, its location and its age. Prices generally vary between €80 and €180 per day.
When it comes to buying a motorhome, the initial cost is obviously higher. The average cost of a new motorhome is between €60,000 and €80,000. However, the purchase can be economically justified for use of more than 8 or 9 weeks a year.
It is also important to take into account the costs of maintenance, insurance and storage, which are added to the purchase price. In the case of rental, these costs are generally included in the price.
Motorhome price trends: retrospective and forecasts
Impact of COVID and the war in Ukraine on motorhome prices
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the motorhome market. With travel restrictions and the desire to get away from it all, demand for these vehicles has risen sharply. According to the European Caravanning Federation, the number of vehicles registered in Europe rose by 33% between 2020 and 2021, taking us to 2 million motorhomes in circulation in 2023 for 5 million enthusiasts, including 505,000 motorhomes in circulation for 1.4 million enthusiasts in France (source: FFCC - Fédération française des campeurs, caravaniers et camping-caristes).
This increase in demand has led to a rise in prices. The cost of both new and used motorhomes has risen. From entry-level models to luxury vehicles, all have been affected by this trend.
Since 2022 and the start of the war in Ukraine, there have been further sharp increases (+15.4% in one year and +22.7% in two years, between 2021 and 2023): between shortages of chassis and semi-conductors, rising raw material prices and the cost of transport, prices are being revised upwards.
However, despite these increases, the appeal of motorhomes has not waned. Customers are looking for 'freedom' and a form of assurance that they can travel despite health restrictions.
It should be noted that this situation has also had an impact on the motorhome rental market, with an increase in rates.
Expected future price trends
Current forecasts suggest that motorhome prices will continue to rise in the years ahead. This trend is linked to a number of factors.
- On the one hand, demand remains strong despite rising prices, both for new vehicle purchases and for the second-hand market. Buyers are prepared to invest more to benefit from the freedom of travel offered by a motorhome, particularly in the current climate of health restrictions.
- Production costs are also rising. Motorhome manufacturers are faced with rising raw material prices and shortages of certain parts, such as semi-conductors. These additional costs are being passed on in sales prices.
In particular, converted vans, which are very much in demand, should see a significant increase in their prices.
Finding a campsite for your motorhome
Are you now the owner of a magnificent motorhome? Most campsites accept motorhomes. To find them on Campingfrance.com, you can select the "motorhome" criterion in the "Which campsite?" section, or go directly to the list of campsites offering pitches for motorhomes.