Ownership

How long do static caravans last?

A well-kept static caravan can last 15 to 30 years. On a holiday park, though, that is rarely the number that matters. The park's age limit, written into your agreement, usually decides when your ownership ends.

What the operators and makers say

• Haven · around 10 to 20 years on average
• Parkdean Resorts · 15 to 25 years for a well-cared-for caravan, sometimes longer
• Willerby (manufacturer) · thirty years with the right care

These are build-life figures from companies that sell caravans. Damp, frost damage and how often the caravan is used make a bigger difference than the make.

Why the age limit matters more

Most holiday parks set a maximum caravan age. When your caravan reaches it, the park can ask you to replace it or remove it, whatever condition it is in. It is a term of your agreement rather than a law, so it varies from park to park and is not always mentioned in the sales conversation.

These are the age limits we hold so far, ranging from 10 to 21 years:

• Hendwr Caravan Park and Farm · 10 years · stated by the park · Denbighshire
• Haven Perran Sands Holiday Park · 15 years · stated by the park · Cornwall
• South Cliff Holiday Park · 20 years · stated by the park · East Riding of Yorkshire
• Lyons Snowdon View Caravan Park · 21 years · worked out from an owner report · Gwynedd

Buying a caravan that is already eight years old on a park with a fifteen year limit means seven years of ownership, not twenty. That one number changes the value of the whole purchase, so ask for it in writing.

What to ask before you buy

• What is the park's maximum caravan age, and is it in the agreement?
• Can the park extend it if the caravan is in good condition?
• What happens at the limit: part exchange, removal, and who pays for removal?
• How long is the pitch licence itself?

The cost of ownership calculator uses the age limit to work out when you would have to replace the caravan and what that does to the real yearly cost.

Common questions

How long does a static caravan last?

Built to last 15 to 30 years with care, according to the operators and makers. But on a holiday park the number that decides how long you keep it is the park's age limit, a term of your agreement after which the caravan must be replaced or removed. The limits we hold range from 10 to 21 years.

What is the 10, 15 or 20 year rule for static caravans?

It is the park's maximum caravan age. Once your caravan reaches it, the park can require you to replace it with a newer one or take it off the pitch. It is not a law, so it varies by park and should be written in your agreement.

What happens when my static caravan reaches the age limit?

Usually you are offered a part exchange against a newer caravan, or you remove the old one at your own cost. Part exchange values for old caravans are often low, which is why the age limit matters so much to the real cost of ownership.