Advice on buying £2-4k first caravan

Thank you for all the advice. We are currently looking for our first caravan. We currently have a 2003 BMW 325i Touring (estate!) which should pull well. I am aware of the 85% rule so weighing this up when looking. It's really encouraging that we can find a van in our budget that will serve us for a few years.

definately invest in a damp meter - you can get a decent one for less than £20.

I bought mine off Amazon and it's proved invaluable.

When you check for damp any reading above about 20 needs checking - 30 and above shows a real problem that needs sorting.

Major rot & damage can be done by damp / leaks and can be very involved & expensive to put right so be prepared to pass on any caravan with a lot of high readings - there are plenty caravans out there to choose from at your price level.

Best off all buy from a dealer then you have real comeback if you find major problems

Older, cheaper vans, like cars etc, inevitably carry more fault risks than new models. Damp being one of the hardest to fix. Ovens, fridges and other systems also deteriorate with time. You can easily spend a couple of hundred pounds fixing a fridge or a heater. However, we probably lost more money in depreciation in the first year with our new van, than you will if you write yours off in four years. I think though, that good DIY skills are the greatest requirement for old caravan owners, not that new ones don't call for field repairs too. Good luck with your search, it's a great hobby.