A caravan check is a professional, purchase-oriented on-site inspection of a used caravan carried out by an independent appraiser — directly at the seller's, with no interest in the sale. checkdenwagen.de is an independent provider of on-site used-car inspections operating throughout Germany, based in Berlin with a network of inspectors across the country. Unlike a motorhome, a caravan has neither its own drive nor its own registration as a motor vehicle — it is towed by the tow car and depends entirely on the condition of the overrun brake, the drawbar and the stabiliser coupling. At the same time, the body is under constant moisture pressure from the weather: leaking roof-vent seals, cracked window-frame seals or a lifted roof panel let water penetrate the sandwich body, where it does invisible damage for years. These are exactly the caravan-specific risks our check inspects systematically: moisture measurement in the wall, floor and roof, the condition of all sealing and rubber parts, the overrun braking system with brake linings, axle and wheel bearings, tyre condition (age via the DOT code, flat spots), the drawbar with coupling head and gas-strut stabilisation, furniture and interior as a moisture indicator, the gas system (visual inspection of the accessible parts), the electrics with the on-board battery and shore-power connection, and, where applicable, the manoeuvring mechanism or mover condition. The inspection catalogue covers more than 100 points; the inspection takes around 1.5 hours on-site. You receive the digital photo report with all findings within 24 hours by email.
Caravan check before you buy: price on request · on-site
A used caravan may have stood outdoors for years — moisture damage in the body, brittle roof seals, a worn-out overrun brake or a leaking gas system are the most expensive surprises after the purchase. Our independent on-site check inspects more than 100 points directly where the vehicle is located and delivers your complete digital report within 24 hours. Price on request.
The 9 critical weak points of used caravans
Water ingress and moisture in the sandwich body
The biggest damage risk with a used caravan: water penetrates the sandwich body — made of a GRP outer skin, insulation and a plywood inner shell — through the tiniest leaks. Once it has got in, moisture destroys the plywood over months and years without anything being visible from the outside. Moisture meters show elevated readings in the wall, floor and roof — a central checkpoint of our inspection that a simple visual check reliably overlooks.
Roof seals, window and roof-vent seals
Every roof vent, every roof window and every aerial entry point is a potential leak. UV radiation and temperature swings make rubber and butyl sealing compounds brittle within just a few years. Cracks or detachments are often only visible on a targeted visual inspection from certain angles that a hurried buyer at the pitch does not adopt. Our check records the condition of the seals at all exposed points on the roof systematically.
Overrun brake and brake linings
Unlike motorhomes, the caravan brakes via an overrun braking system: when the tow car brakes, the drawbar pushes against a braking system that actuates the wheel brakes. Worn brake linings, corroded brake cables, a sticking adjusting mechanism or a defective overrun damper element are typical findings — and safety-relevant. Our inspection catalogue records the entire overrun braking system, including a manual function test.
Axle, wheel bearings and suspension
Caravans often stand at the pitch for months and cover just a few thousand kilometres a year. Wheel bearings can wear despite low mileage due to standing still, corrosion and a lack of lubrication. Rubber suspension elements (e.g. in AL-KO axles) harden over time; broken or deformed rubber buffers cause swaying movements when towing. Our check assesses the axle condition, bearing play and suspension behaviour by visual and hand inspection.
Tyres: DOT age, flat spots, tread depth
Caravan tyres age even with few kilometres driven: UV exposure and standing still outdoors lead to embrittlement, sidewall cracks and internal flat spots that can cause a tyre to blow out while driving. The DOT code on the sidewall reveals the year of manufacture — many caravans come with tyres that legally count as 'old' even though the tread still looks deep enough. Our check records the DOT code, tread depth and sidewall condition of all wheels.
Drawbar, jockey wheel and stabiliser coupling
The drawbar connects the caravan and the tow car and bears considerable forces while driving. Corrosion on weld seams, bent or welded-on repair points and a worn coupling head are safety-relevant findings that are never mentioned in the listing. Stabiliser couplings (AL-KO Secure or similar) must be correctly adjusted and checked for wear. The jockey wheel is checked for smooth operation and correct locking.
Furniture, upholstery and interior smell as a moisture indicator
Swollen cabinet-door frames, warped furniture fronts, a musty smell or visible spotting on upholstery and ceiling panels are reliable indicators of advanced moisture damage — even when the moisture meter shows no reading at that moment. The condition of the interior is therefore a separate inspection area, assessed together with the moisture measurement.
Gas system: visual inspection within the permitted scope
A gas-system safety inspection under G 607 requires an approved testing centre and is not part of our check. What we do provide: a visual inspection of the accessible gas lines, fittings, hose connections and the bottle holder for obvious defects, mechanical damage and visible corrosion. Obvious defects are documented in the report and flagged as a note for further inspection by an approved body.
Electrics, on-board battery and shore-power connection
Caravan electrical systems comprise the 12 V on-board network (lighting, pump, heating control), the 230 V shore-power system (CEE connection, sockets) and, where applicable, a solar system. Corroded plug contacts, blown fuses, an exhausted on-board battery and an incorrectly fitted earth connection lead to failures — and in some cases to fire risk. Our check records all accessible electrical components for visible defects and tests the function of the lighting as well as the charge level of the on-board battery.
Have your dream car inspected on-site
No-obligation enquiry, tailored quote — straight from the inspector on-site.
What the caravan check inspects — the complete scope
More than 100 checkpoints — systematic
The inspection catalogue covers all safety- and value-relevant areas of a towed caravan: body moisture, seals, chassis, brakes, drawbar, gas system (visual inspection), electrics, interior, documents and equipment. No point is skipped, no finding glossed over.
Moisture measurement with a meter — not just a visual check
Moisture in the sandwich body is the main damage risk with a used caravan. Our inspection catalogue includes a targeted moisture measurement in the wall, floor and roof using a moisture meter — and documents every elevated reading with a photo and location detail in the report.
Overrun brake and chassis complete
Overrun braking system (linings, cables, damper, adjuster), axle condition, wheel-bearing play, suspension and the nose-weight gauge are all recorded in full. The functional brake test is part of the inspection.
Drawbar, coupling head and stabiliser coupling
Drawbar weld seams, coupling-head wear, stabiliser-coupling adjustment and jockey-wheel mechanics are each assessed individually — points that are directly decisive for driving safety when towing.
Documents and registration history
The registration document, service booklet, roadworthiness inspection sticker (where required) and any existing inspection reports are checked for completeness and plausibility. The previous owner's mileage figures are cross-checked against the overall condition of the body.
Digital photo report within 24 hours
All findings — moisture readings, brake system, roof condition, interior, documents — are documented with annotated photos. You receive the complete digital report within 24 hours by email: clearly structured and ready to use directly as a basis for your decision.
Price on request — transparent and individual
Caravan checks are calculated on request. Tell us the listing link and where the caravan is parked — we will get back to you with a concrete quote. Tel. 030 301 32 327.
Choose your package for a reliable used-car inspection
Standard Check
Travel included
- Certified experts
- Engine check
- Transmission check
- OBD fault readout
- Brake inspection
- Paint thickness measurement
- Accident check
- Visual bodywork inspection
- Tire tread check
- Visual interior inspection
- Electronics function test
- Vehicle document check
- Photo documentation
- Seller rating
- Market price assessment
- Vehicle price comparison
- Repair cost estimate
- VIN lookup
Premium Check
Travel included
- Certified experts
- Engine check
- Transmission check
- OBD fault readout
- Brake inspection
- Paint thickness measurement
- Accident check
- Visual bodywork inspection
- Tire tread check
- Visual interior inspection
- Electronics function test
- Vehicle document check
- Photo documentation
- Seller rating
- Market price assessment
- Vehicle price comparison
- Repair cost estimate
- VIN lookup
- Everything in Standard plus market value, repair cost estimate, seller rating & VIN lookup.
What the caravan check does not provide — a clear distinction
The caravan check from checkdenwagen.de is an independent, purchase-oriented condition assessment — not an official expert opinion, not a roadworthiness inspection (HU) and not a TÜV certificate. It makes no legally binding statement about the caravan's roadworthiness in the sense of the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO). No G 607 gas inspection: the gas-line safety inspection under DVGW worksheet G 607 requires a certified specialist and test equipment and is not part of our scope of service. Our inspection catalogue does include a visual inspection of the accessible gas lines, hose connections and fittings and documents obvious defects — this does not replace a full gas-tightness inspection. If you want to be on the safe side, commission an additional G 607 inspection by an approved workshop after the check. No valuation report: the check is not a market-price analysis and not an expert market-value assessment. If you need a verifiable basis of valuation for insurance, inheritance or a legal dispute, it is best to contact us directly — by phone (030 301 32 327) or via the contact form. We discuss the scope transparently and individually.
How your caravan check works
Submit your enquiry — free and with no obligation
Send us the listing link, the postcode of the pitch and your contact details. A brief note on the type (floor plan, number of axles, special equipment such as a mover or solar) helps us calculate the quote — but is not a required field. We get back to you with a quote, without a form marathon.
The inspector travels to the pitch or the seller's location
An experienced appraiser from our network arranges the appointment directly with the seller. The inspection takes around 1.5 hours on-site — with a moisture meter, inspection lamp and our own tools, with no regard for any sales interest. You do not have to be present.
Digital report within 24 hours by email
You receive your complete inspection report: moisture readings with location details, roof condition, brake system, drawbar, visual gas-system finding, electrics, interior, documents — all annotated and backed up with photos. Ready to use directly for your purchase decision or price negotiation.
What our customers say
“I had my 5 Series inspected before buying — the report was very detailed and made my purchase decision so much easier.”
Emre E.
Berlin
“When the vehicle wasn't available for the viewing after all, the refund was completely hassle-free. Very fair and transparent.”
Bartosz K.
Hamburg
“The Premium package gave me a clear overview of the expected repair and maintenance costs. Exactly what I needed.”
Amir O.
Munich
“Excellent knowledge of the German car market, the dealer landscape and price ranges. Highly recommended.”
Denis B.
Cologne
Frequently asked questions about the caravan used-car inspection
The price is quoted on request, because caravan checks are calculated individually depending on the size of the caravan, the location where it is parked and the scope you want. Give us a call (030 301 32 327) or send us the listing link — we will give you a transparent quote with no hidden costs.
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Learn moreBuy a caravan with confidence — inspected on-site, assessed independently.
Damp in the body, a worn-out overrun brake, a leaking roof vent: what the listing leaves out, our check reveals. Price on request. Tel. 030 301 32 327.