Buying a used mobile home: inspection checklist, red flags and what to look for

The inspection checklist

Whether you inspect the unit yourself or rely on a professional report, these are the areas that must be checked — in order of how expensive they are to fix:

• Chassis and subframe — look for rust, especially on cross-members and tow-bar brackets. Surface rust is cosmetic; structural corrosion is a deal-breaker.
• Roof — feel for soft spots (sign of water ingress). Check the roof edge seals and any skylight surrounds. Water damage from the roof down is the most common and costly problem.
• Floors — walk every room and feel for spongy patches, especially around the bathroom and kitchen. Soft floors usually mean water damage to the chipboard sub-floor.
• Windows and doors — open and close every one. Check for condensation between panes (seal failure) and for draughts around frames.
• Plumbing — run all taps, flush the toilet, check under the unit for leaks. Ask when the boiler was last serviced.
• Electrics — check the consumer unit for trip switches, test every socket and light. Older units may need re-wiring to meet current standards.
• Gas — smell for gas, check the hoses and connections. Any unit with gas appliances should have a current gas safety certificate.

Red flags: when to walk away

Some problems cost more to fix than the unit is worth. Walk away if you find:

• Structural chassis corrosion — the chassis is load-bearing and unrepairable once weakened.
• Widespread damp or mould — isolated patches can be treated, but damp throughout the walls or ceiling means the timber frame is compromised.
• Sagging roof or bowed walls — a sign the frame has moved, often irreversible.
• No documentation — no chassis number, no gas certificate, no provenance. It may be stolen or uninsurable.

Brands that hold their value

The major British manufacturers — Willerby, ABI, Swift, Atlas, Carnaby, Pemberton, Victory — use broadly similar construction methods. What matters more than the badge is the model tier (leisure vs residential), the age and the maintenance history. That said, Willerby and ABI hold the strongest resale value because of volume (parts are easier to source) and brand recognition.

French and Dutch manufacturers (IRM, Rapidhome, O'Hara, Trigano) dominate the continental market and are well-suited to southern European climates.

How Green Village inspects every unit

Every used unit listed by Green Village goes through a multi-point inspection before it is offered for sale. The inspection covers chassis condition, roof integrity, damp readings (with a calibrated meter), plumbing pressure test, electrical safety and cosmetic condition. The result is a detailed condition report with photographs, shared with the buyer before purchase.

Units that fail on structural issues (chassis, frame, roof) are not listed. Units with minor cosmetic issues are listed honestly, with the issues noted and reflected in the price.

In sintesi

• A used unit saves 40–60% — but only if you inspect it properly.
• Chassis, roof and floors are the three areas that can make or break a deal.
• Structural chassis corrosion and widespread damp are walk-away red flags.
• Green Village inspects every used unit and provides a condition report with photographs.
• Willerby and ABI hold the strongest resale value; what matters most is the tier and maintenance history.

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