Where did all the private sellers go?

[2into1]

Flicking through the Cali's for sale here, I noticed that 11 are from one dealer and another 3 from a second dealer (or maybe ex rental?). Take those 'trade' vans out of the page and there are only 5 vans from presumably private sellers.

That's a heck of a turnaround from how things used to be.

What's going on? I know late T6 and 6.1s are very strong because of uncertainty around the Multivan Cali, but that doesn't directly explain where all the private sellers have gone.

 

[pjm-84]

Batten down the hatches.....unless you're downsizing.....

I've zero interest in changing any of our vehicles at the moment, although I have just bought a Burstner. If anything I will downsize, one, possibly two cars when I take a step back from full time employment

 

[Hawthorn37]

Flicking through the Cali's for sale here, I noticed that 11 are from one dealer and another 3 from a second dealer (or maybe ex rental?). Take those 'trade' vans out of the page and there are only 5 vans from presumably private sellers.

That's a heck of a turnaround from how things used to be.

What's going on? I know late T6 and 6.1s are very strong because of uncertainty around the Multivan Cali, but that doesn't directly explain where all the private sellers have gone.

That’s an interesting observation. There appeared to be dozens only a year ago. Just perhaps the higher number for sale between 2022 and 2024 was as a result of post Covid move away from DIY holidays to jetting to the Med once again?

 

[sidepod]

Dealers bought up stock to replace their lack of trade ins when nobody rushed to buy the 7?

 

[Corradobrit]

January

 

[LRGS253]

Personally I have taken mine off because nothing is happening in December/January. Had zero interest. The dealer adverts are lifetime until they sell and they pay more, hence all of theirs stay on. I've advertised mine since October and had 1 viewing and the van is immaculate, maybe a bit over-priced. Now have it on Autotrader. I will put it back on here next month for another 6 weeks as new van arrives in March.

 

[SusiBus]

I've sold my previous T5/T6/T6.1 on the forum. Get very little interest until the early Spring, at the earliest the second week in March. It's often quiet sudden when the phone starts ringing, nothing one week, then several the next. Hold steady if selling.

 

[Mountain Beach]

There are definitely fewer private sellers. I have noticed that too.

I have also noticed a number of Calis selling from this site (from private sellers) to dealers, who then add a chunk on and resell using Autotrader or similar. The technique obviously works as the vans seem to sell that way. I have been interested in 2 vans where that as happened and just been too late to buy privately. Something in me stops me paying more for the same thing from a dealer.

 

[WelshGas]

There are definitely fewer private sellers. I have noticed that too.

I have also noticed a number of Calis selling from this site (from private sellers) to dealers, who then add a chunk on and resell using Autotrader or similar. The technique obviously works as the vans seem to sell that way. I have been interested in 2 vans where that as happened and just been too late to buy privately. Something in me stops me paying more for the same thing from a dealer.

Depends what price you put on the Consumer Protection, Guarantees, and vehicle service etc: that a Dealer offers over a Private seller.

 

[Mr B]

If you watch the classifieds you'll see hardly any of the Lichfield ones are selling (prices seem a little ambitious to me) and have been listed for months and months.

Take from that what you will but I'm sure in the Spring the market will pick up.

Also, I watched a Van not sell and go from Liverpool VW Van Center to another VW Centre and still not sell - although the second van centre added £4k to the price

Obviously not in a hurry to move them on.

 

[Mr B]

Depends what price you put on the Consumer Protection, Guarantees, and vehicle service etc: that a Dealer offers over a Private seller.

This saved me on a purchase - I had to return the car and invoke the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

'You have a short-term right to reject a car for a full refund within the first 30 days if it's faulty.'

No questions asked, full refund. It was well worth it and made me realise the value of buying from a dealer.

Always used to think Dealers were ripping you off but they take on significant liability compared to a private sale.

 

[pjm-84]

Quite common for a private sale to go to a dealer. I think all the vehicles, bar exception, that I've listed privately have gone to dealers. So much easier to deal with, as they are used to buying cars.

I put a private seller in touch with a dealer who bought one of my cars. He was just so hesitant, why was the car cheaper then others? and by the time he called back the next day to organise someone to check paint depths, a dealer had bought and collected it.

 

[Velma's Dad]

I don't know if it's part of the general decline in the proportion of private sales for all used car types. Personally, I stopped trying to sell anything privately (apart from classic cars) a few years back back, after having to field the calls from scammers, persistent bottom fishers and just well meaning people who don't have a clue. For me, I just 'price in' mentally when I buy a car that I won't be getting the absolute top private sale price when I come to sell it. As I've had my Cali for ten years and it's had a lot of good use camping, touring and towing, it doesn't really owe me anything now anyway!

 

[pjm-84]

Snap...don't ever sell a pickup ....the bottom feeders come out in droves. Listed it at 11am on a Saturday, sold and collected at 3pm that day by a dealer who drove across the country.

 

[larrylamb]

As I've had my Cali for ten years

So, you haven't got a T7 now?

 

[LRGS253]

Mine will be listed again in a couple of weeks as a private sale. It is immaculate and very well looked after.

 

[Xeroid]

Flicking through the Cali's for sale here, I noticed that 11 are from one dealer and another 3 from a second dealer (or maybe ex rental?). Take those 'trade' vans out of the page and there are only 5 vans from presumably private sellers.

That's a heck of a turnaround from how things used to be.

What's going on? I know late T6 and 6.1s are very strong because of uncertainty around the Multivan Cali, but that doesn't directly explain where all the private sellers have gone.

There will be a 2022 California "Coast" with less than 6000 miles, for sale very shortly, with lots of accesories and very high extra security added, having to sell unfortunatley due to wifes unexpected mobility problems, will be on the cali's for sale in the next week or so, with full details and photo's

 

[calikev]

Please do not use this thread to advertise your vans.

 

[sdes]

It would be nice if they (Lichfield) even varied the intro text….I get as far as “We are proud to offer this exceptional…..” and switch off!
But, yes, agree there seems to be a distinct lack of privately advertised vehicles on here now, pity.

 

[2into1]

Please do not use this thread to advertise your vans.

Yes, my post was an observation to prompt a discussion and to try to understand the current market. Best of luck to those listing on the forum classifieds.

 

[BananaDuck]

My view is that the limited presence of private sellers compared to dealers is driven by four distinct factors:
1. Safety Net
Campervans, especially the California, are high-value items.. At this price point, buyers naturally seek the security of consumer protection and warranties. Dealers provide this safety net, whereas private sales are inherently riskier. This demand for security steers buyers toward dealers, discouraging private individuals from attempting to sell independently.
2. Skewed Market History
Global events over the past five or so years have significantly distorted vehicle values across the board. Current market prices are still reacting to those disruptions and do not necessarily reflect where values would be on a standard depreciation curve. This has created a disconnect between perceived value and actual market willingness.
3. Hold vs. Sell
There is a fundamental difference in motivation between private owners and dealers:
Private Sellers: Many bought their vehicles at peak prices during the market highs. Faced with losing a significant amount of money through depreciation, they often refuse to sell. Instead of accepting a lower market value, they simply withdraw from the market and hold onto the vehicle.
Dealers: Dealers do not have the luxury of holding indefinitely; their business model relies on turnover. However, because they also acquire stock at high trade-in values, they are forced to apply their markup to that high base price. This keeps the visible listed prices high, even as private inventory dries up.
4. Industry Contraction
The cost-of-living crisis has caused a wave of insolvencies among camper and caravan dealerships. Rising operational costs (energy, rates, and staffing) combined with reduced consumer spending have forced some businesses to close. The remaining dealers cannot afford to engage in a "race to the bottom" on price; they must maintain strict profit margins to cover these increased overheads and survive, further calcifying the high price floor in the dealer market.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

If you watch the classifieds you'll see hardly any of the Lichfield ones are selling (prices seem a little ambitious to me) and have been listed for months and months.

Take from that what you will but I'm sure in the Spring the market will pick up.

Also, I watched a Van not sell and go from Liverpool VW Van Center to another VW Centre and still not sell - although the second van centre added £4k to the price

Obviously not in a hurry to move them on.

Having watched almost daily for the last few months, I can tell you that the 'Lichfield' dreamer dealer has had his fingers very badly burnt. He is still asking for £60k + for 22 and 23 plate Oceans when there are many 23 and even 24 for as little £56k. I'll be he's hoping for a big rush in March / April and suspect he'll be selling at a loss.

 

[larrylamb]

Having watched almost daily for the last few months, I can tell you that the 'Lichfield' dreamer dealer has had his fingers very badly burnt. He is still asking for £60k + for 22 and 23 plate Oceans when there are many 23 and even 24 for as little £56k. I'll be he's hoping for a big rush in March / April and suspect he'll be selling at a loss.

I think the Lichfield outfit and Braithwaites nr Penrith have become the middle men in the market. Selling older vehicles than VW dealerships usually, probably swallowing up all the p/x's VW take and private sellers wanting a quick sale. Might explain the lack of private sellers, most of whom will be holding on to sell in spring. Pricing does seem quite congested with older vehicles still highly priced vs many T6.1 IMO.

 

[BananaDuck]

This is my simplistic understanding.
The business model for vehicle sales seems simple on paper:
Selling Price = Purchase Price + Overheads + Tax + Profit Margin
However, the difficulty lies in executing this formula while actually making a profit. Here is why:
Manufacturer Mandates: Franchise dealerships (like VW) must comply with strict head office requirements regarding showroom size, layout, and style. These come at a significant capital cost to the dealer.
Stock Financing: Dealers finance their inventory, while new sale dealers may get an initial interest-free period (typically 6 months), after that, interest accrues daily. Used dealers usually pay interest from day one.
The Fog of Pricing: The "true" cost of a vehicle is heavily obscured. Between NDAs, cartels and manufacturer sales bonus schemes (backend rebates), the invoice price rarely reflects the dealer's actual base cost. As consumers, we never know if the real initial margin is £20k, £30k, or something else entirely.
End Game
If a dealer cannot cover these compounding costs, they face receivership. When this happens, their stock is often sold off at fire-sale prices to remaining dealers. These surviving dealers can then sell that discounted stock at standard retail prices, securing a massive profit margin while keeping market values artificially high.

 

[MC90]

Some private sellers are also turning to WBAC or Motorway etc for an easier transaction that avoids the scammers and tyre kickers.