Should You Sell Your Motorhome in January? The Practical Answer (Based on 2025 Market Data) 

For many motorhome owners, the decision to sell is driven by a change in lifestyle, upgrading plans, or simply the cost of keeping a vehicle that is no longer being used. One of the most common questions we are asked is whether January is a good time to sell a motorhome. The short answer is yes, particularly when selling directly to a specialist motorhome buyer rather than relying on the private market. 

Here is why. 

Understanding the Seasonal Market – and Why It Matters Less When Selling to a Dealer 

It is well established that private motorhome sales follow seasonal patterns. Demand typically rises in spring, peaks around March and April, and slows through autumn into winter. January is traditionally quieter, with fewer private buyers actively browsing classifieds or visiting forecourts. 

For private sellers, this often means longer advertising periods, time-wasters, price negotiations, and the risk of having to relist later in the year. However, when selling to a dealer or specialist buyer, seasonal demand is far less relevant. Professional buyers purchase stock year-round, based on market data, resale demand, and vehicle condition rather than consumer sentiment or weather. 

In practical terms, this removes the uncertainty that January brings for private sellers. 

What 2025 Market Data Tells Us 

The UK motorhome market in 2025 has remained stable, but more measured than the post-pandemic peak. While demand for used motorhomes continues to be strong, pricing has normalised. New motorhome prices remain high, supply is constrained, and buyers are increasingly cautious and informed. 

Depreciation is now a major consideration. Used motorhomes typically lose around 20 per cent of their value in the first year, followed by 10 to 15 per cent annually thereafter. Holding on to a vehicle purely to “wait for spring” does not stop depreciation, and in many cases simply delays the inevitable price adjustment. 

Dealer feedback throughout 2025 shows that condition, service history, and realistic pricing are far more important than timing. Specialist buyers are actively purchasing in January to secure stock ahead of the spring selling season. 

Why January Can Be a Smart Time to Sell to a Dealer 

Selling your motorhome in January to a professional buyer offers several practical advantages: 

• Certainty of Sale 
There is no need to wait for buyer demand to pick up. Dealers buy immediately, removing months of uncertainty. 

• No Advertising or Viewings 
Private sales often involve repeated enquiries, inspections, test drives, and renegotiations. A dealer sale avoids all of this. 

• Fixed Pricing Based on Market Reality 
Specialist buyers value motorhomes using real-time market data, not speculative asking prices. This provides clarity and avoids drawn-out negotiations. 

• Avoid Ongoing Ownership Costs 
Insurance, storage, servicing, and depreciation continue whether you sell now or later. Selling in January stops those costs immediately. 

• Ideal Timing if You’re Upgrading 
Many owners sell in January to free up funds for a replacement later in the year, without being rushed into a sale. 

When Waiting May Not Make Sense 

If your plan is to sell privately and you are prepared to wait several months, manage enquiries, and potentially negotiate heavily on price, spring can bring higher levels of interest. However, there is no guarantee of achieving a better net result once time, depreciation, and costs are factored in. 

For owners who value speed, certainty, and a straightforward transaction, delaying purely for seasonality often offers little real benefit. 

What This Means for You 

• January is not a bad time to sell a motorhome – it is simply a quieter time for private buyers. 
• Specialist motorhome buyers operate year-round and are actively purchasing stock in January. 
• Selling to a dealer removes risk, delay, and hassle, while providing a clear and immediate outcome. 

If you are considering selling your motorhome and want a fast, transparent valuation with no obligation, Sell My Motorhome will buy any motorhome, regardless of age, condition, or season. Our process is designed to give you certainty and convenience, without the stress of private selling.