All About the Costs of Buying and Owning a Motorhome

A variety of factors affect the cost of buying and owning a recreational vehicle. To find the ideal motorhome that fits your needs without breaking the bank, or costing a fortune down the line, it's important to get a handle on all these factors.

Mass produced versus custom-built

How you prioritise what you want in an RV will dictate which direction you go here. Mass produced motorhomes are generally:

• More affordable — due to economies of scale
• Built to standard specs and models — limiting customisation options
• Delivered relatively quickly — as they come off assembly lines
• More likely to hold resale value — particularly if they’re from a reputable brand.

On the other hand, custom-built motorhomes:

• Are designed and constructed to your requirements — with a high degree of personalisation to better suit your lifestyle

• May have superior workmanship — with greater attention to detail and closer quality control

• Can be challenging to onsell — because the motorhome was tailored to suit the original owner’s needs

• Are usually more expensive — due to the bespoke nature of building RVs this way.

Take a look at our guide on custom-built motorhomes for more detail on this kind of RV.

Layout

The design of a motorhome's interior, or its layout, shows how the living area, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and storage spaces are all arranged together.

The layout of a motorhome can significantly influence its cost. Standardised layouts are used by many of the big players to lower costs through automation, improve operational efficiencies and make the most of economies of scale.

Simpler, more traditional layouts are generally less expensive to produce as they rely on standard designs that have been slowly refined over time. More complex layouts need to be planned carefully so that the space is optimised while still being functional and structurally sound.

Find out more about motorhome layouts.

Warranties

A motorhome warranty is a kind of risk mitigation — for you as the buyer, and for the manufacturer. It provides you with protection against defects and malfunctions. Expect a motorhome warranty to last between three and ten years.

From the perspective of manufacturers, the length of their warranties give an indication of their confidence in the quality and reliability of their products. Manufacturers’ financial risks are often factored into the selling price of their motorhomes.

Learn more about motorhome warranties.

Age and mileage

A motorhome’s age and mileage can greatly impact its cost. And as you’d expect, buyers are willing to pay more for motorhomes and campervans that are newer and have travelled fewer miles.

Both age and mileage are indicators of an RV’s current condition, expected lifespan and possible future servicing and maintenance costs.

Deciding whether to purchase a new motorhome or a used one may also come down to age and mileage versus cost. You may find used motorhomes on the market at comparable prices to new ones — because they have lower mileage and higher specs.

Chassis

The chassis is the foundation of any motorhome. If you buy a motorhome on a reputable chassis, it will be more likely to:

• Support greater weight — so you can carry more toys
• Take larger and potentially more luxurious layouts
• Be more reliable
• Feel safer on the road.
  
  

A dependable chassis will influence a motorhome’s value — as will its weight. If you intend to cut costs by choosing a motorhome with a lighter chassis, be sure to assess whether the payload capacity will be enough when your RV’s fully loaded.

See our buyers’ guide to motorhome chassis and construction.

Engine

A motorhome’s engine also influences the total price you’ll pay. A bigger engine will be able to handle more weight and give your motorhome more power on hills. Check the vehicle’s specs to see what type of engine your prospective motorhome comes with.

Quality engines, such as the Fiat Ducato, have safety features like:

• Electronic stability control — helps prevent loss of control in emergencies by automatically adjusting brakes and engine power
• Hill holder — holds the brakes when you’re starting uphill to prevent your motorhome rolling back down
• Rollover mitigation — helps prevent rollover by adjusting braking and engine power to maintain stability.
  
  

If a motorhome manufacturer is aiming to meet a certain price point, such features can be the first to be removed.

Upgraded engines will likely have features that improve driving performance, such as:

• Cruise control — automatically maintains a set speed to reduce your driving fatigue on longer journeys
• Full brake control — lets you manually apply the brakes on the motorhome for optimal stopping power
• Blind spot assist — warns you about vehicles in your blind spot, using sensors and visual or audible alerts.
  
  

Such upgrades along with the type of transmission can significantly affect the cost of buying a motorhome.

Discover the benefits of Fiat’s Ducato Series 8 motorhome platform.

Craftsmanship

Whereas most cars are built with a heavy reliance on robots, mass produced motorhomes are still hand-built across the globe — so build quality varies depending on:

• The manufacturing processes used
• Worker training and skill levels
• The manufacturer’s focus on quality versus cost.
  
  

It’s not a given that the most expensive motorhomes are the most well built — or that value motorhomes don’t have high standards of build quality.

Take time to look at the care taken to fix fittings, furniture, wiring and even screws. Gaps or misalignments you can see are an indication that the motorhome may have further poor quality workmanship behind the panels — which you can’t see.

Craftsmanship is just one of many aspects that affect motorhome price.

For more in-depth coverage, read our article on all the factors that influence the cost of a motorhome.

A crucial part of preparing to buy and own your own recreational vehicle involves working out your budget.

It’s important to recognise what type of motorhome you need and what you can expect to pay for it. Likewise, it’s vital to understand what your ongoing costs will be and even the cost of selling your motorhome when it's time.

The kind of motorhome you need

This comes down to balancing how much you have to spend with your ideal motorhome travel lifestyle. Some factors to consider to get your spend right are:

• The number of people that will consistently be using your motorhome
• How you intend to camp most of the time — at commercial campgrounds or freedom camping
• Whether you’re happy with basic amenities or need more creature comforts — for instance, a basic wet bathroom may be all you want but premium mattresses are must-haves.

Take a look at what kinds of motorhomes are available in New Zealand.

The initial cost of a motorhome

The upfront cost of a motorhome can vary greatly depending on whether it’s new, used, locally-made or manufactured in Europe.

A few considerations include:

• Checking the total purchase price — look for GST, on-road costs and any additional charges
• Understanding the warranty — make sure you know exactly what it covers and for how long
• The reputation of the dealership — check their reviews and track record of looking after their customers
• Researching the motorhome brand — and whether it’s well supported when you need parts and accessories in the future.

Check out the difference between German and New Zealand-made motorhomes.

The ongoing costs of owning a motorhome

Owning a motorhome involves covering ongoing costs — just like having your own private car. Some examples of common expenses associated with owning a motorhome are:

• Vehicle registration — you’ll need to re-register your motorhome annually
• Warrants or certificates of fitness (WoF/CoF) — to certify that your RV has passed its compulsory periodic safety inspection
• Insurance — be sure your expensive asset is covered for the unexpected
• Road user charges (RUCs) — if your motorhome runs on diesel, you’ll have to purchase RUCs
• Water tightness — you’ll need to get your motorhome routinely checked for any signs of water ingress, to maintain warranty cover and reduce the chances of expensive repairs
• Storage — you may need to pay to keep your motorhome undercover in the off season
• Replacement parts — budget for occasional replacements like brake pads and various filters
• Servicing — to help maintain the condition of the motorhome
• Fuel — an inevitable but variable cost depending on the motorhome’s engine type, weight and fuel type.
  
  

Read our guide on working out a budget for your first motorhome.

Are you an avid RV traveller who hires motorhomes or campervans when you need them? There may be a time when you choose to own a recreational vehicle rather than continue renting them.

So how do you know when the right time is to buy? Firstly, check you have the capital available to spend on buying a motorhome.

Next, work out the average annual cost of owning your preferred motorhome. Then, determine how many weeks hiring the same RV is equal to your annual cost. If your hire cost per year is more than your expected annual cost of ownership, it may be time to buy.

Buying a motorhome

The initial purchase price will determine whether you have the funds to buy. However, it’s also important to take into account all of the ongoing costs of ownership while working out a budget for your motorhome. Furthermore, remember to consider motorhome repair costs related to general wear and tear.

To understand your ongoing expenses, read about the costs of buying a motorhome.

Renting a motorhome

Once you’ve determined the average amount it would cost to own your ideal motorhome each year, check how far that money would go if you rented one.

The cost of hiring a motorhome varies throughout the year because the rental market is highly seasonal. Therefore, a smart move is to look at the rental cost over the:

• Peak season — in summer with the highest prices
• Shoulder season — in autumn and spring with moderate prices
• Off-peak season — in winter with the lowest prices.
  
  

See our rental example for the weekly cost of renting a motorhome in different seasons.

Non-financial factors

Although cost will be a primary part in your decision to rent or buy, other elements will also come into it.

Unless you live near Auckland or Christchurch, you’ll have to travel to pick up a rental motorhome — or need to hire one from a private owner in your town or city. However, this may not be an issue If you only plan to rent a couple of times a year.

If you want to take frequent motorhome holidays and prefer to personalise your vehicle, or add accessories that fit with your lifestyle, buying may be your best option.

On the other hand, if the responsibility of regularly cleaning, maintaining and servicing an RV doesn’t appeal to you, renting may be an ideal long term decision.

Be sure to also weigh up non-financial factors before deciding to buy.

Continuing to rent or deciding to buy

Ultimately, the decision to buy comes down to the right moment for you. Becoming an owner may now be the right time — especially if you hire frequently and want flexibility and customisation. 

Continuing to hire for the time being may depend on cost, having limited free time and a reluctance to maintain your own RV.

Check out our comprehensive blog about comparing the cost of buying versus renting a motorhome.

It’s not only the initial cost of purchasing a recreational vehicle and the ongoing costs of maintaining one that you’ll need to budget for. There’s also the cost of selling it when you want to move on or trade up.

The gradual decrease in value of an asset over time is known as depreciation. Just like cars, motorhomes and campervans also depreciate — as normal wear and tear leads to a fall in your asset's overall worth.

This decrease can come as a surprise if you don’t factor it into the initial purchase price. It’s therefore important to be prepared for your motorhome’s expected depreciation — to help avoid financial surprises down the road.

Factors that influence the amount of motorhome depreciation

A number of aspects affect a motorhome's depreciation, such as:

• Purchasing new — in normal times, your new motorhome will drop in value as soon as you drive it off the yard
• Normal wear and tear
• Usage and care — the mileage (along with the vehicle’s age) and how well your motorhome has been looked after
• Brand reputation and perception — motorhomes from premium brands will likely have less depreciation compared to less reputable ones with known issues
• Market events — leading to economic downturns and fuel price fluctuations which can affect demand and supply, and may alter the depreciation cycle
• Aftermarket accessories like solar panels — their quality, and how well they’re fitted, can impact the resale value of your motorhome.
  
  

Get more detail on the factors affecting the depreciation of recreational vehicles.

Calculating depreciation on your prospective motorhome

At Wilderness, our experience importing and selling new motorhomes for over ten years shows they typically depreciate by ten to 15 percent in the first year — depending on the make and model. The depreciation rate then slows down, averaging around eight percent per year.

How to reduce your motorhome’s depreciation expense

There are a few things you can do to slow your motorhome's rate of depreciation, like:

• Weather protection — limit its exposure to UV and extreme weather when you’re not on the road
• Routine maintenance — such as scheduling checks and testing yearly for water ingress
• Refurbishments — new curtains and upholstery can make a motorhome feel new again on the inside.
  
  

Read our complete guide to motorhome and campervan depreciation.

Car and motorhome insurance may be similar in some ways, but there are a few unique elements to insuring an RV that are important to know.

Motorhome insurance is offered by a couple of the main car insurance players — AMI and AA. However, there are also specialist motorhome insurance providers like Covi and Star Insure to consider.

What motorhome insurance covers

Motorhome insurance is sometimes referred to as a blend of car and home insurance. It covers:

• The base vehicle — plus the body and all its parts
• Factory-installed furniture and equipment — like the fridge, heater and stove
• Accessories — including reversing cameras, solar panels and satellite dishes
• Agreed modifications — such as custom paintwork
• Liability for damages and accidental injury.

Types of motorhome insurance cover

Similar to car insurance, you’ll also find different kinds of motorhome insurance cover.

Comprehensive cover

Comprehensive cover insures you for damage to your motorhome and accidental physical loss. It also typically provides coverage for loss or damage caused by fire, theft or unauthorised use — like when someone borrows your RV without your permission.

Third party cover

This type offers minimum cover at the lowest premium. You’ll only be covered for any damage you might cause to another person’s vehicle or property.

Third party fire, theft and illegal conversion

Here you’ll get intermediate coverage for accidental physical loss from fire, theft, unauthorised use and collisions involving uninsured vehicles.

Storage cover

You may take out this type of cover if you plan to store your motorhome or park it up for a period of time.

Insurance policy factors to take into account

It’s important to compare key sections of each insurance company’s motorhome policy to determine who’s offering you the best deal.

Base insurance

Parts of your base insurance policy require close reading, including:

• How the insurance value of your motorhome is assessed
• Which contents are included in your coverage — and up to what limits
• What fixtures, fittings and accessories are in your cover — and to what extent
• Whether you’re covered for glass — and not just windscreens.
  
  

The agreed insurance value (for new motorhomes) or determined insurance value (for older ones) will need to be reviewed annually. This is to ensure you’re not paying too much — because, like cars, motorhomes depreciate over time.

Contents cover is another part of your base policy, and like home contents insurance, all the items kept permanently inside your motorhome can add up. It’s worth taking time to calculate the total cost of items like furniture, bedding, linen, appliances and blinds.

When it comes time to sell your motorhome, items like fixtures, fittings and accessories will be sold as part of it. This is why they’re included in your base insurance policy.

The detail around cover for glass is also worth looking at closely. It can include anything from windscreens to sunroofs to headlights on your motorhome — depending on the policy.

General exclusions

Knowing what your policy won’t cover is just as vital as knowing what it will. Be sure to take note of each policy’s list of exclusions, like:

• Breakdowns or failures
• Bodily injury
• Unlicensed and under 25 drivers
• Using incorrect fuel
• Accidents — involving reckless driving or unlawful substance use
• Wear, tear and depreciation.
  
  

Read your policy closely to ensure you understand exactly what isn’t covered.

Added value services

Be careful not to focus on helpful extras (freebies) that are often offered to comprehensive policy holders. It’s more important to focus on the base policy to check if something vital isn’t covered.

The nice-to-haves can include roadside assistance, trailer cover and emergency accommodation — plus travel after an accident.

Spend some time going through our ultimate guide to insurance for motorhome owners so you have a clear idea of everything involved.

A warrant of fitness (WoF) is a familiar part of owning a vehicle. It’s essential for ensuring vehicle safety and adhering to New Zealand road regulations. Similarly, a certificate of fitness (CoF) is required for heavier vehicles — including some motorhomes and campervans. Generally, WoFs and CoFs will vary depending on the type of RV.

The differences between a WoF and a Cof

A WoF is needed for lighter vehicles while a CoF is the equivalent for heavier ones. Gross vehicle mass (GVM) is what determines which one you’ll need. For instance, with a GVM of:

• 3500kg or less you’ll need to get a WoF annually — or every six months if your motorhome was first registered before the year 2000
• More than 3500kg you’ll have to get a CoF every six months.
  
  
  

You can also expect the cost of each type of inspection to be different. An annual WoF test is between $50 and $75. On the other hand, each CoF inspection costs from $150 to $200 — and you’ll have to complete it twice a year.

Check out our guide on motorhome weight and payload in New Zealand.

The pros of buying a motorhome on a WoF

You’ll enjoy a few advantages by purchasing a recreational vehicle that requires a WoF, such as:

• Lower annual costs — yearly inspections cost about half the price of CoFs
• Convenience and time — there are more WoF testing stations and when compared to CoFs, inspections take about half the time
• Maximum driving speed — you can drive at the same speed as cars whereas an RV on a CoF has a limit of 90km/h
• Fuel efficiency and handling — a lighter overall motorhome weight contributes positively to these two factors.
  
  

The pros of buying a motorhome on a CoF

Motorhomes that require CoFs also have benefits, like:

• The likelihood of a larger payload — enabling you to carry more of your favourite gear such as golf clubs, surfboards and ebikes
• Carrying a bigger water tank — potentially allowing you to remain off-grid for longer
• More rigorous testing — as CoF inspections are more in depth and frequent than WoF inspections.
  
  

Find out more about WoFs and CoFs in our blog on warrants and certificates of fitness for motorhomes.

By examining the warranty sooner, you’ll know what to expect if you have issues — and you’ll better understand how much confidence the manufacturer has in their RV.

Motorhome warranty coverage

With a motorhome warranty, you’ll usually have cover on the:

• Base vehicle — coming from the vehicle manufacturer
• Conversion — backed by the motorhome manufacturer.

It’s also possible to have warranties on some appliances in your motorhome which are looked after by the individual appliance manufacturers.

Find out what’s included in the warranty of a motorhome from Wilderness.

Motorhome warranty periods

Warranties on custom-built motorhomes are usually for significantly shorter time periods than RVs constructed in factories. This is because the factory builds work to standard specifications — giving the manufacturer more confidence when deciding on their motorhomes’ warranty periods.

Water ingress warranty

A motorhome shell consists of a significantly larger number of components than a car. Consequently, the likelihood of water ingress getting into your motorhome is considerably higher.

Water damage inside your motorhome can be very costly to fix. It’s therefore in your best interests to find a motorhome constructed by a manufacturer that focuses intently on building watertight vehicles.

You’ll know you’ve found one if the water ingress warranty is near the top of the usual three to ten year range.

Learn more about water ingress in motorhomes.

Used motorhome warranties

If you decide to buy a campervan or motorhome that’s only a few years old, you may still get the balance of time remaining on it.

Discover all you need to know about buying a used motorhome.

Warranty responsibility

Although the manufacturer sets the term of your motorhome’s warranty, it’s the responsibility of the dealer to sort out any issues covered under it. You might find this a problem if you purchased your motorhome from overseas.

Learn more about motorhome warranties.

Importing a motorhome from overseas can be a tempting option — potentially offering a wider selection and lower upfront costs compared to buying locally. However, there's more to it than just choosing your dream RV.

Navigating the import process, from checking import costs to gathering documentation, is one of the major challenges you’ll face.

How importing a motorhome works

Importing a motorhome into New Zealand involves ensuring it complies with import regulations and meets biosecurity standards. You’ll also want to know what fees and taxes need to be paid.

Working through the process involves:

• Doing research and due diligence on your preferred model — take time to look at various options and holiday in a few different models if you can
• Selecting a dealer — look into the dealerships you’re considering buying from, check their brand reputations through customer reviews and motorhome forums, then contact them to compare responses
• Finding an importing agent either overseas or in New Zealand — to organise all or some of the importing and shipping processes for you
• Getting shipping insurance — ask for several quotes from different providers and don’t forget to also organise motorhome insurance so you can drive it home on arrival
• Paying import charges — in addition to shipping and insurance, be prepared for your motorhome to pay for an inspection fee, GST and duty
• Making modifications to gain New Zealand compliance — like changing gas, electrical fittings and power points, along with requirements to ensure it’s certified self-contained.

How importing compares to buying from a local dealer

The warranty will likely be your main concern if you end up buying a motorhome from overseas. This is because to exercise an international warranty, and get a problem fixed, you’ll have to take your RV back to the dealer you purchased it from — which may not be feasible.

By purchasing from a New Zealand dealer, you’ll have them available for any after sales support and help with warranty issues. Another benefit is the protection you gain under the:

• Consumer Guarantees Act
• Motor Vehicle Trading Standards.
  
  

For a more detailed look at the option of importing, read about the experiences of two Kiwi couples importing motorhomes from the UK.