Motorhome paperwork explained
A motorhome is a registered road vehicle, so the paperwork looks more like a car sale than a caravan sale. Gathering it before you enquire makes everything afterwards quicker.
The exact documents needed at completion are confirmed by the buying team for your vehicle and circumstances, so you know what to have ready before collection.
The V5C registration certificate
The V5C — the logbook — records the registered keeper, not legal ownership, but it is the document every buyer expects to see. Check before you enquire that your name and address are correct and that you hold the current version. If it's missing, a replacement can be applied for from the DVLA, and it's better to start that early than at the point of collection.
MOT and road tax
Note the MOT expiry date and have the most recent certificate or test record to hand, including any advisories. The MOT history is publicly checkable, so declaring advisories costs you nothing and building a valuation on an accurate picture is what keeps that figure stable. Tax status is worth confirming too — a van that's on a statutory off-road notification is fine, but affects how it can be moved.
Service history for the vehicle
- The service book with stamps, or invoices from the garages that did the work.
- Cambelt replacement evidence where the engine requires it.
- Recent work such as brakes, tyres, clutch or exhaust.
- Any warranty or recall work carried out.
Habitation service history
The living area has its own annual inspection. Reports with damp readings, gas soundness certificates and any remedial work carried out all help — see habitation checks and damp.
Keys, handbooks and manuals
Both vehicle keys where possible, habitation door and locker keys, the converter's handbook, and manuals for the heating, water heater, fridge, oven and any fitted extras. A missing second key is not a problem — it just needs to be mentioned rather than discovered.
Extras and aftermarket work
Paperwork for a solar installation, tow bar, tracker, alarm, air suspension, chassis upgrade or a payload uprating all support the value of that work being done properly. Keep the invoices with the rest of the file.
Finance and inherited vehicles
If there is outstanding finance, a settlement figure from the lender is the key document — see selling with outstanding finance. If the motorhome came to you through an estate, the inherited motorhome guide covers what's usually needed.
A simple checklist
- V5C in your name, current version.
- Latest MOT certificate and awareness of any advisories.
- Service book and invoices for the base vehicle.
- Habitation service reports, including damp readings.
- All keys, handbooks and appliance manuals.
- Invoices for extras and aftermarket work.
- Settlement figure, if finance is outstanding.
- Proof of identity and address for completion.
You can photograph documents and upload them with your valuation request.
Paperwork sorted? Start your valuation
Tell us about your vehicle and our buying team will come back to you about a possible offer. It's free and there's no obligation to sell.