Trading in a motorhome

Hello all,
Just wondering what others experience is re trade in?
Ordered a new Broadway FB at NEC show and a trade in value on our current motorhome was given. We agreed the deal based on this with the new motorhome to be collected from our local dealer.
A couple of days later we received an email from the local dealer requesting that I take my current van into their workshop and asking that I leave it with them for appraisal.
I’ve only ever had trade in on cars or caravans previously and they were never taken into the workshop for appraisal, only visually assessed.
Is this normal practice? 
Feeling a bit anxious that this is an attempt to reduce the valuation given at the NEC show for our current motorhome.

I've traded in my two previous vans and both were just visually checked albeit with  damp meter and close inspection taking around 20 minutes and this was on the day of collection of new to me van, so neither checked prior.
The first one wasn't as thorough as he was trading it out (too old for him). Both dealers stuck to their offers but I was confident they wouldn't  find anything to reduce their offers.

My experience was the same as Paul’s. A few days before the exchange they ran a damp meter over the vehicle and that was it. All ok. That being said we had arranged to meet at a motorway service area. I arrived early and saw my contact park some way away. For some reason he missed me. I decided to drive over and it took three goes to start! The first time it had not started first time in 5 years!

When I traded mine it I drove it to the NEC and insisted that the salesman looked it over to verify its condition before I signed on the line. Delivery was delayed by a few months and he tried to reduce the trade in by a few hundred of extra depreciation which I successfully defended.

I’m inclined to share Blackpoodle's anxiety. I’ve never come across this situation as all my trade-ins have been agreed at the time the deal was made. I’d have walked if any dealer decided to change the agreed figure at a later date.

I’ve got mixed feelings about this. Given the complexity of a motorhome (compared to a car) I don’t think it’s unreasonable for the dealer to want to undertake a reasonable inspection in the workshop before agreeing a trade-in price. I think the problem is that this can often be after a conditional price has been offered as part of the sales deal for another vehicle. At which point it can feel like you’re being held hostage at a time when you just want to take delivery of the new van.

The situation can arise when visiting a showroom at a weekend, reaching a deal with the sales guys, but at which time the workshop is closed so the trade-in vehicle can’t be fully assessed. I guess the same is true for agreeing a deal at a show. Whether or not it becomes an issue is down to trust and transparency between the two parties.

We encountered this at the Nick Whale dealership when agreeing a deal for our Kemerton on a Saturday. On a subsequent date (a weekday) they took the Symbol we were trading into their workshop for 30mins or so. There was a minor adjustment in trade-in price due to tyre wear I seem to recall, but it all felt fair and reasonable and wasn’t an issue for us. 

Tim

My experience at same dealer was similar , after agreeing trade in and while handing over our newer van their workshop made a long list of "defects" on old (2009) van and reduced trade in by £6000.00.
Made the deal unviable to us.
Took old van back to the local dealer i had bought it from a year before, still had some warranty on it, he bought it back on the spot for same price as original deal at N.W so i went back to a straight cash purchase at N W. 
My local dealer then resold my original for same as I paid for it a year earlier.
I heard of a similar Ripoff at N W , and I would not use them again for that reason, they did try to stitch me up.

I am now retired, having worked in the motor trade for over 40 years ,in sales, after sales and owning my own garage for the last 26 years. When starting in sales a part exchange was always “appraised” in the workshop (salesman rarely have the necessary knowledge mechanically) and the practice saved the garage paying too much for mechanically faulty cars. Over the years the appraisal of vehicles became virtually non existent as the “Sale became King” and the disposal of the P/X became secondary and far less important because supply far exceeded demand. I suspect that with the huge demand for Motorhomes during and post pandemic is making dealers (not unreasonably) wanting to maximise profit (demand is now outstripping supply in a big way). If dealing with an honest and reputable dealer and your vehicle is as described to the salesman I am sure they will honour the deal. Always remember they want to “buy” the P/X - otherwise they will not sell to you. Hope all is well with your purchase.

When looking to buy a new car the lead times were typically 9-12 months. On this basis I couldn't see how we could calculate a finance agreement as the trade in price component was undefinable.

What would you be exposing yourself to if you commit to buy by signing the vehicle order when a part of the purchase is unknown at that time.

When you consider how much the "habitation" component inflates the value of a motorhome it's not unreasonable to fully assess the vehicle but if the trade is based on that what have you signed for at the NEC?

I have always found that when dealing with car dealers it is like being in shark infested waters, i.e. what you have is no longer in 'fashion' and therefore commands a low trade in price, whereas the new car you want is in high demand, but with motorhome dealers the trades get raised into killer whale territory !

I remember some years ago looking to trade in our low mileage, pristine condition Harmony at a large local motorhome dealership and we were offered less than £5,000 against a less than spectacular, and much higher mileage £25,000 Amethyst.  I walked away and sold the Harmony privately for £9,500, which was still a bargain.

Hope they offer you what they agreed, despite their belated request for an appraisal.

Thanks all for the replies, it’s been really helpful.

After a very anxious couple of weeks in which I have experienced blood sweat and tears beautifying my much loved 2009 monocoque fibreglass Romahome R40 before its 2hr appraisal today, I’m happy to report that the NEC valuation has been agreed by Marquis Preston. 

I knew there wasn’t anything major wrong as it’s a really well made, low mileage van with lots of extras but there’s always a concern that something unexpected will be found or that a dealer may take advantage of the fact that the buyer is female and only has Mum along for support. 

Fortunately this was very much not the case unlike some car dealers I’ve encountered!
So glad today went well and that this potential anxiety has been relieved in advance of the new van pick up date. Truly our fears would’ve ruined the pleasure of the new van handover. 

Can’t now wait till we get the Broadway FB.

Ah, that was your mistake, you now mention the words Marquis Preston.  Unless the new van is perfect in every way Do Not accept it.   Read on here and elswhere for the horror stories

I've always sold my cars and caravans (haven't sold a motorhome yet) privately.  It can be a bit stressful but you get a much better deal overall.  It might be different right now but in the past I have received cash discounts of between 10% and 20% on all my new vehicles.

Good luck Blackpoodle23 with your new Broadway FB.  I am sure you will enjoy it and there is plenty of advice available to you on this Forum should you have any problems.