The signs are there but overpriced campervans might be the least of our worries . . .
It’s the ONLY crash we’ve ever want in our lives – the fabled price crash and the opportunity to grab that Cali you’ve always wanted. But the real question is; whether there really will be a price crash for used Cali’s? The signs are all there. After all, you need only hop on a service like Auto Trader to face 100s of used Cali’s for sale. Some of which have been up there for weeks on end!
So what’s the deal? Will there be a price crash for used Cali’s? Let’s look at the situation:
Post-COVID clarity
As a country, we're still recovering from a period of widespread hysteria – a time when EVERYONE had to lockdown and keep clean. Yet, once those shackles were loosened and we ventured outside, Cali-lovers had to act fast if they wanted a chance of purchasing one. But with SO MANY companies cashing in on demand in the hope of reaping a profit, people have suddenly stopped rushing to buy campervans. Why is that?
Rise of the staycation
Now, we're not all that friendly with this term. For us, a holiday down the road can be just as good as one abroad, but what-with Brexit and the pandemic, staycationing has become a more WIDESPREAD CRAZE. So much so that staycation has become an accepted phrase. Now, as so many of us were unable to socialise during lockdown, many of us saved our pennies for a rainy day . . . it just so happened that we decided to put our pennies towards campervans – which has caused the sellers’ market to SKYROCKET.
But the prices DON’T reflect the purchase
Look, we LOVE a Cali as much as the next person. However, motorists have NEVER seen so many Cali’s for sale this time of year. So what gives? Why are there STILL SO many campervans left on the market? Well, for one, you used to be able to pay just over £5k for a van and £2k for a conversion. Nowadays, a 10-year-old van – with more than 100 miles on the clock – can be listed as good as new. Prices these NUTS are DIZZYINGLY high, and many of us have finally seen sense.
On top of this, the cost of living has SHOT up
For anyone sitting under a rock, we’re not only recovering economically from a global pandemic. Now, we’re also having to deal with the ripple effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Whatever the reason, the cost of living crisis has surged skyward – leaving many of us counting our pennies in response to RISES in fuel, energy and food prices. In addition to this, inflation is now running at 7% – its highest rate for 30 years – so overpriced Cali’s are sadly the least of anyone’s concerns . . .
Supply vs. demand
Due to a lack of new stock, the value of second-hand vehicles continues to rise – and it doesn’t look like it’ll decelerate any time within the next year or two. So, yes – there are more Cali’s on the market. Therefore, a price correction WOULD make sense. However, given the current factory lead times, some expect used T6.1s will REMAIN at a premium rate. That said, even if the prices were to fall by 20%, they would still be HIGHER than costs pre-pandemic . . . it’s as if we can’t catch a break!
Let’s take a collective sigh, step back and remove any emotional longing for our Cali’s. Logically thinking, we’d expect the used market to have become more – shall we say – fluid? Yet right now, EVERYONE'S tightening their purse strings, and rightly so. Sure, sellers are setting their own idyllic and dreamy prices. But that’s just what they are – dreams.
So for those asking whether there will be a price crash for used Cali’s, we recommend putting a pin in such luxuries for now. Just until we can gain a little more clarity on the situation.
““You’d never know they’ve been used; abused for over 4 years (if only my vans lasted that long), dirty seat cover, short cycle, straight back on 30mins start to finish…like new! Priceless x””