Stage 3 · Budget and market

What does your budget buy in the current market?

A budget should lead to a realistic age, history and seller-channel shortlist. This snapshot shows where the current asking-price market is concentrated—and where extra caution is needed.

Choose the band after keeping an ownership reserve

The year range shown is the middle 50% of dated, priced used advertisements in each band. It describes the market centre, not a rule: condition, layout, history, support and seller obligations can justify substantial differences.

Under $80,000

262 ads assessed

1996–2013middle 50% of model years

2007median model year

94% private245 private · 17 dealer

0% rental-linkeddealer accounts linked to rental fleets

What appeared: Predominantly older Japanese van or bus conversions and older coachbuilt motorhomes. Condition, moisture history, payload and parts support matter more than the badge.

Buying direction: This is overwhelmingly a private-sale market. Allow a substantial repair reserve and treat a motorhome-specific independent inspection as essential.

$80,000–$99,999

104 ads assessed

2014–2018middle 50% of model years

2017median model year

61% private63 private · 41 dealer

17% rental-linkeddealer accounts linked to rental fleets

What appeared: A transition band containing later van conversions, KEA and other locally familiar used motorhomes, plus some rental-linked stock.

Buying direction: Compare a private vehicle directly with dealer and ex-rental alternatives. The private price needs to compensate for weaker recourse and a greater inspection burden.

$100,000–$149,999

236 ads assessed

2018–2022middle 50% of model years

2019median model year

45% private107 private · 129 dealer

17% rental-linkeddealer accounts linked to rental fleets

What appeared: The broadest late-model choice in the snapshot, including KEA, Roller Team, Dethleffs, Swift and Bürstner advertisements, with dealer, private and rental-linked routes all represented.

Buying direction: This band gives the strongest opportunity to compare like with like across seller channels. Test the private discount and the refurbishment evidence on ex-rental stock.

$150,000–$199,999

118 ads assessed

2020–2024middle 50% of model years

2023median model year

36% private43 private · 75 dealer

26% rental-linkeddealer accounts linked to rental fleets

What appeared: Mostly late-model used and some new or near-new stock. The snapshot included Jayco, KEA, Roller Team, Dethleffs and Swift advertisements.

Buying direction: Dealer stock leads this band. Compare warranty, preparation, payload and local support—not only age and kilometres.

$200,000 and over

65 ads assessed

2021–2025middle 50% of model years

2024median model year

38% private25 private · 40 dealer

5% rental-linkeddealer accounts linked to rental fleets

What appeared: Late-model premium and new stock, including TrailLite, Laika, Swift, Carthago and Jayco advertisements in the snapshot.

Buying direction: A high price does not remove layout, payload or support risk. Require precise specifications and written commitments before treating two vehicles as comparable.

Evidence note: 785 used Trade Me advertisements had both a model year and asking price in the 9 August 2026 extract. Counts are advertisements, not confirmed unique vehicles or completed sales; duplicate physical stock can be advertised more than once. Dealer websites are not yet included in this snapshot.

Popular brands by identifiable New Zealand registrations

Popularity helps reveal familiarity and the potential size of the local knowledge base. It does not prove build quality, parts availability or support for a particular used vehicle.

1Roller Team1,262identifiable additions, 2016–2026

2Dethleffs1,013identifiable additions, 2016–2026

3Auto-Trail842identifiable additions, 2016–2026

4Benimar782identifiable additions, 2016–2026

5Carado706identifiable additions, 2016–2026

6Jayco695identifiable additions, 2016–2026

7Bürstner630identifiable additions, 2016–2026

8Swift402identifiable additions, 2016–2026

Evidence note: NZTA registration descriptions support an identifiable body-brand classification for 67.6% of the 2016–2026 additions assessed. Unknown records and chassis-only labels such as Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and LDV are excluded from this ranking. These counts are classified additions—not current active-fleet market share, sales, or a quality league table.

What is currently in the market

The strongest numerical choice in this used snapshot sits below $80,000 and between $100,000 and $150,000, but they are very different markets. The lower band is older and almost entirely private; the $100,000–$150,000 band is much newer and gives the clearest dealer, private and rental-linked comparison.

Rental-linked advertisements are most visible from $80,000 to $200,000. Treat direct fleet sales as trader sales with fleet knowledge, while still assessing the extra habitation use that kilometres do not record.

Use the names as search leads

The snapshot shows familiar body brands across the middle bands, including KEA, Roller Team, Dethleffs, Swift and Bürstner. At higher prices it also shows TrailLite, Laika and Carthago. These are examples of advertised supply, not recommendations.

Recheck live availability before viewing. An advertisement can be withdrawn, relisted or duplicated, and the final advertised price is not necessarily the sale price.

Next in the journeyTest brand and parts supportA brand's numerical presence is only the start. Confirm support for the exact body, model year and habitation systems.Continue →