Selling your caravan online can be exciting, but it also comes with a few things to watch out for. Most buyers are genuine, but every now and then someone pops up who feels a bit off. When you are dealing with a high value item like a caravan, it is completely fair to be cautious.
At Find My Van, we hear plenty of sellers who have had strange messages, pushy buyers or offers that simply did not sound right. Once you know the common red flags, selling safely becomes much easier and far less stressful.
Let’s walk through how to protect yourself so you can sell with confidence.
Be cautious of buyers who rush or avoid inspections
A real buyer will want to take their time, ask questions and inspect the caravan properly. Scammers usually rush through everything, hoping you will not notice the warning signs.
Be careful if someone:
- Wants to buy the caravan without inspecting it
- Offers more money than your asking price
- Tries to finalise payment immediately
- Claims they are overseas or interstate and cannot meet
- Avoids answering your questions
When the behaviour feels off, it usually is. Trust your instincts.
Stick to safe and clear payment methods
Payment is one of the biggest areas where scams happen, so this is a key part of safe selling.
Avoid:
- Bank cheques
- Money orders
- Third party payment apps
- Escrow sites you have never heard of
- Payment links the buyer sends you
- These can be faked, reversed or cancelled easily.
A cleared bank transfer is usually the safest option with private sales. Cash can also work, but never rely on a screenshot as proof of payment.
Only release the caravan once the funds are truly cleared in your account.
Protect your personal information
Do not overshare when speaking with new buyers. Scammers often collect personal details to use later.
Avoid sending:
- Your home address too early
- Registration papers
- Your licence photo
- Compliance plate numbers
- Any financial details
Share only what is necessary until you feel comfortable.
Meet buyers in a way that feels safe
When it is time for an inspection, choose a location and setup that feels secure.
A few simple habits help:
- Have someone with you
- Keep the keys with you
- Avoid test towing unless payment and insurance are confirmed
- Meet somewhere open and comfortable
Most buyers are great, but it never hurts to be sensible.
How to qualify a genuine buyer
This part makes selling much easier. A good buyer is usually easy to spot once you know what to look for.
A genuine buyer will:
- Ask normal, practical questions about the van
- Want to know the condition, history and features
- Talk about their towing vehicle
- Be willing to arrange an inspection
- Communicate clearly and consistently
- Avoid unnecessary pressure
A scammer often avoids details, changes their story, moves too fast or becomes vague when you ask simple questions.
If someone is happy to answer your questions, understands basic caravan terminology and is willing to view the van in person or online, they are usually legitimate.
You do not need to interrogate anyone, just pay attention to whether their behaviour feels steady and reasonable.
Watch out for overpayment tricks
This is one of the most common scams.
A scammer may offer to pay your asking price plus extra for transport, then ask you to refund the extra amount. Once you do, their original payment bounces, and you are left out of pocket.
If someone overpays, it is a red flag every time.
Be careful with transport company claims
Some scammers pretend they will send a freight company to collect the caravan, then ask you to pay the transport fee upfront. You are promised reimbursement later, but of course, it never comes.
A real buyer organises and pays for their own transport. You should not be out of pocket for their logistics.
Trust your instincts
If something feels strange, slow down and reassess.
Scams often have the same patterns, and once you recognise them, they are easy to spot.
Ask yourself:
- Does this buyer seem too keen or too rushed?
- Are they avoiding inspection?
- Is their story inconsistent?
- Are they suggesting an unusual payment method
- Genuine buyers are usually calm and straightforward.
If you want the safest and easiest option, use a caravan broker
Selling privately can work well, but it also means dealing with enquiries, filtering out scammers, negotiating prices and organising viewings. It can take up a lot of time and energy.
A caravan broker can take all the stress off your shoulders.
At Find My Van, we handle the entire selling process for you.
You get:
- Pre-qualified buyers
- Professional advertising
- Enquiries screened before they reach you
- Negotiations handled on your behalf
- Pricing and presentation guidance
- Online viewings arranged for distant buyers
- Secure payment coordination
You stay safe, the process becomes simpler and your caravan sale runs smoothly from start to finish.
Ready to sell your caravan without the stress?
You do not need to deal with scammers, low-ballers or payment hassles alone.
Find My Van can manage the entire process and help you sell safely and confidently.
Click the button below to schedule a call and let us take care of the rest.
