So you’re thinking about buying your first motorhome. You’ll naturally be feeling anticipation and a buildup of excitement — awesome! Still, an RV is a significant purchase with ongoing maintenance costs so you’ll need to do your due diligence.
Consider what you want from a motorhome and how you want to use it. Then, browse our guide to find out what your ideal motorhome will cost up front and over time.
What kind of motorhome do you need?
Aim to find the right balance between your dream motorhoming lifestyle and your budget. That balance will depend on what your plans are and how much you have to spend.
If you want to retire and travel indefinitely in a motorhome or go on off-road adventures, a high-spec RV with powerful solar panels and batteries will allow you to live off the grid.
If you’re thinking about going to favourite camping spots a couple of times a year, perhaps something more basic at a lower cost will do.
Ask yourself the following questions to help decide on size and features. Check out our Top Ten Questions to Ask Dealers When Buying a Motorhome in NZ.
How many people will use your motorhome most of the time?
If there are only two of you, think about who will predominantly use it. If you have a family with kids, consider how many beds you’ll need and how they’d be best arranged. Be careful about compromising for infrequent guests.
Do you plan to stay at holiday parks or freedom camping spots?
You’ll need a supply of LPG, a reliable house battery and a power inverter if going off-grid is your thing. And if you also have solar power, you’ll be able to enjoy even more time in the wilderness.
Are you content with the basics or prefer a few creature comforts?
For example, a separate shower and toilet layout may win you over, or an extra large garage space for your outdoor toys may be a necessity.
Take a look at the types of motorhomes available in New Zealand.
How much does a motorhome cost upfront?
The short answer is that it varies. Are you buying new or used? Old or young? A New Zealand-made motorhome or a German-manufactured one?
Whatever your budget and preference, be sure to take into account the total cost of ownership. Let’s start with what you’ll pay upfront.
To buy new or secondhand
Sometimes, you can’t beat purchasing something brand new. A motorhome straight off the factory floor will bring you peace of mind, knowing it’s under warranty for the first few years.
But budgets don’t always stretch that far, and there’s an excellent secondhand market of RV dealers in New Zealand. Ex-rental campervans are often extensively refurbished and come with a warranty.
If you’re considering secondhand, make sure the after sales support is second-to-none.
Check out everything you need to know when buying a used motorhome or a premium ex-rental motorhome.
Important factors to consider
It’s vital to understand who you’re buying from and what’s included in the price. Before making a purchase, consider:
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The price — does it include GST and on-road costs?
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What's covered under the warranty and for how long — are maintenance and repairs included?
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The reputation of the dealership — is it well regarded with a proven track record, excellent customer reviews and after sales service?
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How well-established the motorhome brand is in New Zealand — has it been around for a while, and is it well supported?
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How often you'll need to service the RV and how much that will cost — how easily available are parts and support?
Look at these other factors that influence the cost of a motorhome. Also, think about whether importing a motorhome from the UK is a more economical option.
Overview of the sale price of a motorhome
Nothing beats spending time researching new and secondhand markets to get a feel for what people are paying. The table below provides ballpark figures for the cost of certain types of recreational vehicles.
Cost |
Type of Vehicles |
| Under $50,000 | Older secondhand RVs with high kilometres that could be ex-rentals or converted vans or buses* |
| $50,000 - $100,000 | Early 2000s, imported or ex-rental, secondhand recreational vehicles that are van-style conversions on a reliable chassis* |
| $100,000 - $140,000 | Low spec, new import recreational vehicles, or NZ new entry-level motorhomes |
| $140,000 - $180,000 | Late model, Kiwi-made motorhomes that are self-contained with good specs |
| $180,000 - $250,000 | High-end recreational vehicles with interior designs and plenty of extras |
| $250,000 - $350,000 | The pinnacle of lux motorhomes with interior designs, optional extras for your lifestyle and high specs |
*This may not be certified self-contained (CSC) — meaning it’s unlikely to be suitable for freedom camping.
What are your ongoing costs of owning a motorhome?
With any major purchase, it can be easy to feel like you already ran the marathon after making the upfront payment. But sometimes people don’t fully consider the ongoing costs (the last 10 km to the finish line) of owning a big ticket item.
Below we’ve outlined the regular costs you should expect to pay when owning a motorhome.
Vehicle registration
You’ll need to register your motorhome each year. It’s super easy to renew your rego from anywhere between one and 12 months. How much it costs will depend on the length of your renewal.
Visit the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) to see the costs of renewing your vehicle licence.
If you’re planning to buy a motorhome from overseas, Waka Kotahi has a handy guide on the requirements for registering a new motorhome for New Zealand roads.
WoF/CoF
To certify that your motorhome has passed its compulsory periodic inspection of safety, it’ll need either a valid warrant of fitness (WoF) or certificate of fitness (CoF).
Light motorhomes
A WoF certifies lighter vehicles, including motorhomes with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 3,500 kg or less.
Heavy motorhomes
A CoF certifies heavier vehicles, including motorhomes with a GVM over 3,500 kg.
Find out more about the key differences between a motorhome WoF and CoF.
Insurance
Insurance has to be a non-negotiable inclusion in your list of ongoing expenses. Your motorhome will be one of your priciest assets and it needs to be protected.
The cost of insurance will depend on your vehicle’s age and worth — with anything from $600 - $2,500 a year likely.
Check out our ultimate guide to motorhome owners’ insurance in New Zealand.
Road user charges
Most motorhomes on NZ roads will be diesel-fuelled, and road user charges apply to them. The cost of these charges vary depending on the type of vehicle and its weight.
You can find road user charge rates on Waka Kotahi’s website.
Water tightness
Water leaks can be an issue for all motorhomes. Seals can deteriorate and the cost of not finding leaks early can be significant. Look for warning signs including:
- Damp and damaged inner woodwork
- Mould and mildew.
Invest in a moisture detector when you purchase your motorhome. To check your RV for leaks after buying it, see our handy index of water tightness agents nationwide.
Learn more about how to prevent water damage to your motorhome.
Storage
Do you have somewhere protective to store your motorhome when you’re not on the road? If you need a storage facility for part of the year, this is another cost to consider before purchasing an RV.
Find out more about storing your motorhome and the costs involved.
Replacement parts
Any vehicle you invest in will need replacement parts occasionally. Some motorhome parts that will regularly need replacing are:
- Seals — seals will inevitably deteriorate over time, so you’ll need to check and replace them frequently
- Tyres — stay safe on the road by renewing your tyres for around $1,000 every three to six years.
At Wilderness, we stock a wide range of parts from our manufacturers, which you can easily order when you need a replacement.
Servicing
Like owning a car, servicing your motorhome regularly helps it stay well maintained.
Servicing every year (around 10,000 to 15,000 km) is about right, but for peace of mind, consider getting it serviced before any long road trips.
Fuel
If your motorhome runs on diesel, it’ll cost less per litre than petrol and be more fuel efficient — however, you’ll have to pay road user charges.
The heavier your motorhome, the more fuel it’ll consume. On average, expect it to consume 9-18 litres per 100 km. With fuel prices continually rising, it’s another significant ongoing cost to add to your calculations.
Check out the table below for a summary of the yearly expenses you can expect on your new motorhome.
Annual ongoing costs of owning a motorhome*
Expense |
Cost |
Frequency |
| Vehicle registration | $200 - $360 | Annually |
| WoF/CoF | $150 - $400 | Annually |
| Insurance | $600 - $2,500 | Annually |
| Road user charges | $84 per 1,000 km | Depends on usage |
| Water tightness test | $200 - $400 | Annually |
| Storage | $25 - $300 | Monthly |
| Servicing | $500 - $1,500+ | Annually |
| Fuel | 9 - 18 litres per 100 km | Depends on class and usage |
| Replacement parts | Varies widely | As needed |
*All costs are approximate as at the time of reviewing this blog in August 2024.
What’s the cost of selling your motorhome?
An often forgotten cost associated with a major asset like a campervan or motorhome is the cost of moving it on once you’ve had your time with it.
Has your motorhome held its value over the period you’ve owned it? Much of the answer to that will depend on:
- How frequently you’ve serviced it, and
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How well you’ve maintained it.
And all of that can be summed up in one word — depreciation.
Depreciation
A number of variables can affect the rate of depreciation of an RV. Make, model, age and kilometre count can all have an effect.
Then, there’s supply and demand when you choose to sell. Plus, more expensive motorhomes will have a higher depreciation factor than cheaper models.
Other factors include:
- Brand — strong brands with strong market presence depreciate slower
- Usage — privately owned motorhomes will usually depreciate slower than ex-rentals
- Cab chassis — where in the world it’s manufactured can affect depreciation
- Fitting of aftermarket products — higher spec accessories that are professionally fitted help maintain a positive appearance
- Market events — significant world events that hamper supply chains like a pandemic or war can affect depreciation.
Check out our motorhome and campervan depreciation guide for more information. Then, plug your prospective RV's price into this motorhome depreciation calculator.
Rent out your camper in the short term
If you’re not using your motorhome as much as before and are considering selling it, an intermediary solution could involve renting it out — at least until market conditions improve favourably.
One New Zealand platform that helps facilitate renting is Camplify. It connects owners with travellers so you can earn some income from your campervan while it’s not in use.
