buying a campervan

Buying a campervan in Australia? Cracking idea: it’s a studio apartment with wheels, until a surprise leak reminds you it’s still a vehicle.

Check for rust (sills, roof seams, underbody), damp smells, and service history; a fresh timing belt and receipts beat seller poetry every time. Make sure the layout fits your life—bed length, storage, and payload/GVM so you don’t end up overweight before the esky goes in, and confirm seat/berth compliance is legit. Test electrics (12V/240V), fridge, water pump, and gas compliance; then drive it at 100 km/h to see if it tracks straight or sings the rattly song of its people.

Budget for rego, insurance, tyres, and a first big service in AUD, because romance doesn’t cover maintenance. If it still feels right after all that, grab it and go find a beach—preferably one with low tide and high coffee.