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🤬

 

[birdman101]

Over 50 years have had most makes. Elddis will never consider again, Bailey would not consider another if looking to change, unless they sorted their floor problems out. The most caravans we have had and also presently are Swifts. No major problems ,only 2 minor with previous caravans, Microwave replaced under warranty and a Fridge control unit replaced under warranty, none down to build problems.

 

[audiorob]

As has been said overall condition, service records and DAMP test report are likely to be the most important. Without looking it up a fitted motor mover would cost upwards of £600 and depending on what is included in the sale (although some items maybe available secondhand) factor in for example £50 each for aquaroll and wastemaster. Then there’s the cost of insurance which is not compulsory but recommended!
Lastly an important one - tyres should be renewed between 5 and 7 years regardless of appearance - as indicated by the 4 digits in the lozenge shape on the sidewall / so 24 21 would be the 24th week of 2021. Bargaining power if they are past it!
Good hunting!

 

[birdman101]

If buying from a main dealer with no part exchange you should be able to negotiate a mover fitted FOC. Our Daughter did on buying her first Used Caravan from Granthams.

 

[audiorob]

Added to Birdman's post above you may get a starter kit - which could include things from a battery through to a number plate... our was about £600 retail at the time. If buying from a dealer you should expect some warranty. Either way private or dealer ask for a full demo to check that everything works and in necessary video the handover!

 

[otherclive]

You can buy aftermarket warranties for caravans just like for cars. The T&C need to be looked carefully to make sure that they give what you require.

Here’s one used by the trade and private owners. I had an MB&G policy when I bought my last caravan from Martins of Exeter. It was part of their package.

Caravan Warranty | Caravan Warranties | UK

Are you looking for the best caravan warranties for you? We are fast developing a reputation for our truly excellent caravan warranties

mbginsurance.co.uk

 

[Woodentop]

The OP might get some deeper guidance if we knew his (general) location. Dealers vary considerably across the country, and of late there have been a number of closures.

 

[Myfirstcaravan]

Thank you so much to everyone for taking the time to reply, that's so helpful and really appreciated. The Swift is a private seller and the Bailey is from a dealership in Horsham. I'm based in West Berkshire, there is a dealership in Reading/Oxford/Swindon but they seem a bit more expensive.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I don't think this has been mentioned already in this thread, but you do buy s/h from a dealership any warranty work will have to be done by the selling dealer. So do bear that in mind and if possible use comparatively local dealers rather than those at a distance. You will be amazed how quickly any apparent cost saving is eaten up if need to make a number of journeys to get problems sorted. Shop local if possible.

 

[Dustydog]

Thank you so much to everyone for taking the time to reply, that's so helpful and really appreciated. The Swift is a private seller and the Bailey is from a dealership in Horsham. I'm based in West Berkshire, there is a dealership in Reading/Oxford/Swindon but they seem a bit more expensive.

They have been around a very long time, have won many top awards and on the whole are a decent family run company. In the present poor economic climate I believe most dealers will be willing to negotiate.
If you go for the private I endorse Mel’s advice for an independent check by a qualified mobile engineer

 

[otherclive]

I don't think this has been mentioned already in this thread, but you do buy s/h from a dealership any warranty work will have to be done by the selling dealer. So do bear that in mind and if possible use comparatively local dealers rather than those at a distance. You will be amazed how quickly any apparent cost saving is eaten up if need to make a number of journeys to get problems sorted. Shop local if possible.

When I bought my last caravan pre owned from Martins of Exeter (Coldplay) it was still within Swift warranty periodicity but because the previous owner had not had the services uploaded to Swift database it wasn’t eligible for warranty repairs at the time of purchase. But a normal part of Martins sale package was a 12 month M&BG very comprehensive warranty package. So after purchase I spent a lot of time tracking down the caravans previous service invoices which required overcoming a number of objections (privacy, gdpr, commer in confidence) but eventually got the required information to enable Swift to accept it under warranty. So a fully stamped service book made no difference. Swift required all invoices to be uploaded to their data base. No invoices no warranty.
After 11 months I had it serviced at Tilshead Caravans who identified cracks atop the rear panel. The M&BG warranty excluded cracks to plastic or grp bodywork. Fortunately Swift accepted the warranty claim and a new rear panel was fitted some 5 months later. £2-3k saved though.


It’s a veritable minefield with caravans and their warranty after service. Cars are times easier if still within the makers warranty timeframe.

 

[birdman101]

I know the company at Oxford and our Daughter looked at one there. But she travelled to Granthams 80 mile from her home,and got exactly the same age and model caravan for £2000 less and they fitted free mover and gave 12 month warranty. Also if she took it back they would do the next years service free. She has not bothered to go back with it for the service. Having had caravans myself for over 50 years, I could not believe the condition of the 11 year old caravan as looked as though it had never been used and I found it totally faultless

 

[davyayr]

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.

The Unicorn range has always been popular due to its quality and price. I have had various brands over the years and my latest Unicorn is my favourite so far.
All things being equal, if it were me and assuming reports in each van are good, the motor mover would make me go for the Bailey.
Every brand has issues, even the £50k vans.

 

[borderbilly]

Ask yourself, do you really need a MM? Me personally dont need one, yes they are great if you are elderly and infirm, but in my eyes everyone that pulls a caravan should be able to go back with it, after all its not rocket science.

 

[otherclive]

Ask yourself, do you really need a MM? Me personally dont need one, yes they are great if you are elderly and infirm, but in my eyes everyone that pulls a caravan should be able to go back with it, after all its not rocket science.

I’ve been to some sites in Britain or abroad where the juxtaposition of pitches with the opposite pitches and things like trees, lighting posts etc make safe manoeuvring virtually impossible. Notwithstanding the need many have to get it onto a drive.

Clearly you need to get out more.

 

[borderbilly]

I’ve been to some sites in Britain or abroad where the juxtaposition of pitches with the opposite pitches and things like trees, lighting posts etc make safe manoeuvring virtually impossible. Notwithstanding the need many have to get it onto a drive.

Clearly you need to get out more.

I get out loads, hence plenty practice reversing, try it, its easy.

 

[Mel]

We went to Castlerigg hall near Keswick. Great site, fabulous views. However it is on a steep slope and the hedged pitches are on rows of terraces. The pitches themselves are level. The terraces are not wide enough to reverse a Caravan and the owners helped push anyone onto the pitch if they didn’t have a motor mover. Sorry Borderbilly but unless you had a tow car that could hover over a precipice; reversing wasn’t an option.
Similarly we were on a site in Bridlington a few weeks ago. Absolutely rammed, and the rows between the vans were narrow. Again reversing wasn’t a possibility. Nothing to do with skill; basic mathematics.
There are probably lots of other examples where reversing just won’t work. A driveway on a narrow road with parked cars for example.
Mel

 

[Buckman]

Motor movers should be mandatory on caravans and not an option!

 

[Kevin M]

@borderbilly, i would take you on in any reversing challenge but still wouldn’t be without a MM, it means I can handle the van alone especially so when at home on my gravel drive (either hitching up or when back home).
It’s not always possible to reverse.
I am fit and healthy but see many elderly people able to still partake their hobby due to the MM.