Questions for the seller
| Ask | Why |
|---|---|
| What type of leisure battery is fitted, and when was it installed? | Age and chemistry decide usable capacity and whether the chargers suit it. |
| Which chargers are there: mains, solar, alternator, generator? | Each one needs to suit the battery. Model numbers let you check. |
| Who installed the solar, inverter or extra battery? | A dealer or installer invoice is a better sign than no record. |
| Is there a battery monitor, and what does it show after a night off hook-up? | It is the quickest evidence of how the system really performs. |
| Is there any electrical inspection or habitation check report? | It shows what was tested and when, and what was not. |
| Has anything stopped working, tripped or been replaced? | Repeated faults point to a cause, not just a failed part. |
Paperwork worth asking for
In the UK, the 230 V installation of caravans and motor caravans falls under BS 7671 Section 721, and the IET explains that a periodic inspection and report is how its continued safety is checked. Ask whether such a report exists and how old it is.
Habitation checks from workshops in the Approved Workshop Scheme typically include the 12 V and 230 V systems and the leisure battery. Guides from insurers note that extras such as solar panels or additional heaters may not be covered as standard, so read what the report actually lists.
Checks during the viewing
- Unplug from hook-up and note the battery reading or monitor state of charge.
- Switch on lights, water pump, fridge on 12 V and the heater fan, one at a time.
- If there is an inverter, run something modest from it and listen for the fan.
- Plug back into hook-up and check the charger starts charging.
- If the sun is out, check the solar controller shows charge current.
- Look, without touching, for scorch marks, loose wires, unprotected cables or household-style extension leads fitted inside.
Six photos to take
- The leisure battery label, including any date code.
- The battery area showing cables, fuse and isolator.
- The mains charger or power unit label.
- The solar controller label and display.
- The inverter label, if there is one.
- The control panel and any battery monitor screen.
With these you can check compatibility at home, ask an installer a precise question, or put the components into the calculator.