Bailey Seville or Swift Charisma 230

[Myfirstcaravan]

Hi there, I'm looking to get my first caravan, and I'm looking at either a 2011 Swift Charisma 230 £6500 (no motor mover) or a Bailey Unicorn Seville 2012 £6600 (with motor mover). We'll need a motor mover so would need to get one fitted. Both suit our needs. I was wondering whether anyone has any opinions as to which is more highly regarded. Any advice would be much gratefully received.
Thanks very much.

 

[Mel]

Both Bailey and Swift have known issues. I have had both and the faults that accompany them. So for any second hand van of that age, it is the condition of the individual van that is important. Check over each, get all the paperwork and check the service records, the damp reports, history and any warranty work. Get a recent full damp check. If necessary get a mobile tech to give the van a once over for you. Get a good warranty from the supplying dealer.
Then it is just down to personal preference.
Don’t make the motor mover the pivotal ( see what I did there) decision feature. If it was supplied when the van knew 13 years ago and has had a lot of use, it may be heading towards the end of its useful life.
Good luck
Mel

 

[borderbilly]

Neither, buy a lunar.

 

[Mel]

Neither, buy a lunar.

Do you mean the outfit previously known as “Leaky Lunars” that went bust, are no longer in production and spares may not be easy to come by. I suppose it is worth considering 😀

 

[RogerL]

Do you mean the outfit previously known as “Leaky Lunars” that went bust, are no longer in production and spares may not be easy to come by. I suppose it is worth considering 😀

Lunar used the same suppliers/brands as other UK caravans - like most UK brands, once the customer gets all the initial build problems out of the way they give many years of good service - and retain their lightweight advantage.

 

[borderbilly]

Do you mean the outfit previously known as “Leaky Lunars” that went bust, are no longer in production and spares may not be easy to come by. I suppose it is worth considering 😀

Yes, but if you search on here about ops having problems, it is all mainly bounce back baileys or %!-_÷£ swifts.

 

[Dustydog]

Yes, but if you search on here about ops having problems, it is all mainly bounce back baileys or %!-_÷£ swifts.

I’ve had Elddis, Swift and Bailey. All had issues including my neighbours Leaky Lunar!
They all by design came with inherent built in faults.

In my case and others on here ,we have sorted out the factory issues, self repaired and improved the design defects . My 17 year old is living proof all the original issues can be resolved and a reliable caravan can result.

Just a great shame you can’t buy a new perfect caravan🤬