How buying a static caravan with the Offer Race works

The seller lists free

VanHols checks every caravan before it goes live. The seller chooses an Offer Race of 7, 14, 21 or 28 days.

Buyers make offers

Create a free account with your email and make an offer. Each offer must beat the top offer by at least £100. Offers in the last 10 minutes add 10 minutes, so no-one can snipe at the last second.

The seller chooses

The seller picks the offer they want – it doesn't have to be the highest – or none at all. Nothing is binding until the park approves the buyer.

Reserve for £200

The chosen buyer has 48 hours to pay the £200 reservation fee by card. The caravan is then marked Reserved and you both get each other's contact details.

The park says yes

You apply to the park. If the park refuses you in writing within 28 days, send us the letter or email and we refund the £200 in full. The caravan then goes back on sale.

Fees, upfront. Selling is free – no listing fee, no commission, no deposit. Buyers pay one fee to VanHols: a £200 reservation fee, only if the seller chooses their offer, on top of the price agreed with the seller. Example: an agreed price of £18,500 + the £200 reservation fee = £18,700 in total. The £18,500 is paid to the seller, not to VanHols. Parks set their own site fees and some charge a transfer fee – ask the park.

Questions

Do I need an account?

To make an offer, watch a caravan, message a seller or sell, yes – it's free and takes a minute. Just your email: we send you a 6-digit code to confirm it, and there's no password. The same account works for buying, selling and letting a caravan on VanHols.

Can I take an offer back?

Not during the race, so please only offer what you're ready to pay if the park approves you. If the seller chooses you and you decide not to go ahead, simply don't pay the reservation fee – after 48 hours the seller can choose someone else.

When is the £200 refunded?

In full if the park refuses you in writing within 28 days of paying it (upload their letter or email on the caravan's page – we may also check with the park sales office), if the seller pulls out, or if you paid after the 48 hours ran out. It isn't refunded if you change your mind.

Why can't I share my phone number before reserving?

Keeping contact details on VanHols until a buyer reserves protects both sides from time-wasters and scams, and it's how the reservation fee stays fair. Once the fee is paid, names, emails and phone numbers are shared automatically.

Does VanHols inspect the caravans?

No. We check every listing before it goes live, but we don't inspect, value or guarantee caravans. View the caravan, check its age, condition and paperwork, and ask the park about site fees, the licence and any transfer fee before you pay the seller.

What if a seller pulls out after accepting?

The buyer gets their £200 back and the seller gets a withdrawal mark – two and they can't sell on VanHols again. If a seller pulls out and then sells to the same buyer within 6 months, they owe VanHols £200.