Campervan & Motorhome Pre-Purchase Inspection
A campervan is two vehicles in one: a van with mileage and a small house on wheels. Most mechanics check the engine and brakes — then stop. We inspect both halves: the base vehicle with our 145-point protocol, and the habitat with a dedicated motorhome checklist.
🚐 Inspected by someone who actually lives this
The inspection is led by the founder of 1in.pt — a full-time motorhome owner who has driven all over Europe in his own campers: first an alcove (capucine) motorhome, today a Mercedes Marco Polo. After the purchase he can also help you plan upgrades: solar panels, LiFePO4 batteries, autonomy for off-grid living.
€250 — full inspection (base vehicle + habitat), 2–4 hours on site. Travel is billed separately by distance — tell us where the camper is and we quote the exact total upfront. Lift/workshop inspection of the chassis and underbody: +€100, arranged in advance.
Habitat check — where campers hide their problems
- Water ingress: roof, vents, skylights, window seals, wall seams — the #1 killer of motorhomes
- Gas system: certificate, visual condition, regulator age, leak signs
- Electrics: 12V and 230V circuits, charger, inverter, battery age and state (AGM / LiFePO4)
- Solar setup: panels, controller, wiring quality
- Heating and boiler (Truma / Webasto type), fridge on all power sources
- Water system: pump, tanks, boiler, toilet and cassette
- Furniture, locks, bed mechanisms, awning; amateur conversion red flags
Base vehicle check
- Full 145-point protocol: body, paint gauge, welds, OBD diagnostics, test drive
- Chassis rust points typical for Ducato / Sprinter / Transit bases
- Weight reality check: payload left within 3,500 kg for a category-B licence
- Documents: homologation as a motorhome, IPO history, mileage cross-check
How the 145-point inspection works Real inspection cases ISV calculator (incl. motorhomes) Where we inspect
Frequently asked questions
How much does a campervan inspection cost?
A full inspection is €250 — base vehicle plus the complete habitat check, usually 2–4 hours on site. Travel is billed separately by distance: send the location and we quote one fixed total before you book.
Do you travel outside Lisbon — Algarve, Ericeira, the coast?
Yes. Campers are often parked at the coast or down south — we come to the vehicle anywhere in Portugal, with travel priced by distance and agreed upfront.
Can you help after the purchase — solar, LiFePO4, autonomy?
Yes. The founder runs his own motorhome full-time and can advise on solar panels, LiFePO4 batteries, chargers and off-grid autonomy — ask during the inspection.
Do you also inspect regular cars?
Yes — a standard pre-purchase car inspection is €150. The €250 rate applies to campervans and motorhomes because of the extra habitat checklist.
Found a camper? Send us the listing
WhatsApp us the link and location — we reply in ~15 minutes with the earliest slot and a fixed total price.
