When going on a Road Trip in Australia, we often wonder if it’s worth renting or buying a van. Renting a campervan or motorhome in Australia can be costly, but renting is sometimes easier and more reassuring than buying your own vehicle. We have listed the advantages and disadvantages of buying and selling a campervan in Australia. You will find tips for buying a vehicle as well as information and tips to rent a van for cheap in Australia.
Table of Contents
Buying a Campervan in Australia: The Road to Ownership
When hesitating to buy a vehicle, it is important to make a list of the pros and cons. Here are a few to guide you.
BENEFITS
- Total Freedom: Own it, love it, customize it! Your van, your rules. Deck it out with all the fairy lights and comfy cushions you want.
- Long-Term Investment: If you’re planning an extended stay in Australia, buying a campervan can be a cost-effective choice. It’s your home-on-wheels for as long as you need it.
- The possibility of negotiating the price: Nothing prevents you from negotiating the price with the backpacker who will sell it to you. It may be worthwhile to find a compromise.
- Resale Value: When it’s time to say goodbye, you can sell your campervan to another traveler. If you maintain it well, you might just recoup a good chunk of your investment.
DISADVANTAGES
- Upfront Costs: Buying means upfront spending. You’ll need to budget for the purchase price, insurance, registration, and potential repairs.
- Responsibility: With great vans comes great responsibility. Maintenance, repairs, and dealing with breakdowns are all on you.
- Searching time: Allow about 2 to 3 weeks of searching for the right vehicle, and again for reselling it. Meanwhile, you may have to stay in a hotel/hostel, which represents extra costs, especially in big cities.
- Rather complex administrative procedures for the registration of the vehicle (renewal, change of ownership …).
What to check when buying a vehicle?
If you are choosing your vehicle without assistance, it is important to be vigilant on a few things: age of the vehicle, mileage, interior equipment, any repairs or maintenance on the vehicle by previous owners, fuel consumption and registration (Rego).
Don’t forget to test drive before buying! If the owner does not want you to test drive, stay away from it. If you do not feel comfortable looking at the engine or have concerns about the vehicle, take your vehicle to a mechanic before buying!
🚗 GREAT DEAL : Your customized vehicle available as soon as you arrive in Australia !
If you’re planning to go on a Road Trip as soon as you arrive in Australia, the best option is to go through backpackercars.com. They offer all types of vehicles for sale (cars, vans, and 4x4s) and customize them according to your needs. The advantage is that all mechanics are checked, the paperwork is in order, and you can leave with it as soon as you arrive in Australia.
📍 Vehicles available in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth
📝 Avoid all the paperwork
👨🔧 Avoid unpleasant mechanical surprises with a reliable vehicle
🚗 Pick up your vehicle as soon as you arrive in Australia
🚨 BONUS : 1 year of free assistance (Roadside Assistance) with our PROMO CODE : BACKPACKERS
How much does it cost to buy a van in Australia?
The selling prices of a van are quite variable. They depend on the brand, age, number of kilometres, size, equipment, condition of the vehicle and the city where you are buying.
Depending on all these criteria, vans are generally sold between $8,000 and $10,000. Some vans will only have a mattress in the back, while others will have a small kitchenette, a sunroof or a shower area with a water supply!
Read also : Buying a vehicle in Australia
Renting a van in Australia: The Easy Breezy Way
BENEFITS
- Flexibility: Only in Australia for a short whirlwind tour? Renting is perfect for shorter trips or if you’re not ready to commit to one vehicle.
- Equipment: Vehicles are often better equipped. Newer vehicles, double battery system etc …
- Insurance: You will have 24-hour roadside assistance and you can buy a full comprehensive insurance (Insurances offered by rental companies can be quite expensive. It is better to get insurance from a specialised company like Rentalcover.)
- Convenience: Pick it up, hit the road, and return it when you’re done. No worries about selling it or taking it for repairs.
- Fixed Costs: Renting means no surprises. You pay the rental fee, maybe some insurance, and you’re set. No unexpected repair bills!
DISAVANTAGES
- Planning: You have to plan your trip, so you return the rental car at a certain time in the chosen city.
- Availability: During peak seasons, finding a rental might be tough, and prices can skyrocket. Plan ahead to avoid disappointment.
- Cost involved: A rental car may cost more than buying, depending on the season (high or low) and the length of stay. You usually have to pay a bond: This can be substantial.
- Limited Personalization: Rental vans come as they are. You might miss out on making it feel like ‘your’ space.
In any case, it is important to compare both options to make the right choice!
Buying or renting: How to pick the best option?
It is up to you to study the two options according to your stay in Australia. It will also depend on the period and the city where you arrive. For example, if you arrive during high season (school holidays, high summer), rental prices will be higher. As for the purchase, if you arrive in Brisbane, you will have less choice in the purchase of a van than if you arrive in Sydney for example (more backpackers in the latter).
To direct you to the best option, use the comparator below with your dates of stay. This will give you an idea of the price of renting a van. Then look on Gumtree or different Facebook pages to check the sale section. Depending on your criteria, you will get a “purchase” budget to compare with the rental one. Next, think carefully about the pros and cons of each option. Because beyond the price, there are also important factors such as flexibility, ease, security etc.
Campervan Rental in Australia: compare prices
MotorHome Republic is an agent specialized in campervan & motorhome rentals in Australia and New Zealand. It is the best way to compare prices from all different rental companies in Australia. On top of that, they always have good discounts!
Why get a van in Australia?
Australia is the land of the van life! Its land is so vast and its landscapes are so diverse, that the best way to enjoy it is to travel by van. Why is that? Because you can take as much time as you need. For example, drive 50 km one day and 600 km the next. Spend a night at an amazing freecamp and decide to stay an extra night on a whim. In a van, you can sleep by the ocean or in the middle of a forest. If the weather is bad, you can use the space in the cabin to listen to the rain while you go about your business.
A van is like a small house, but with an engine and wheels. Inside, you can store all your life and have the best time of your road-trip. You’ll see, your heart will be heavy with memories when you part with it. Whether you bought it or rented it!
Conclusion: Your Adventure, Your Choice
Whether you buy or rent, a campervan is your key to an unforgettable Australian adventure. Buying suits the long-term traveler who loves a project and a bit of risk. Renting is for those seeking a hassle-free, short-term journey. Whichever path you choose, epic stories and stunning sunsets await you in the land Down Under. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags, grab your mates, and start your Aussie road trip adventure!
