How Much Does an RV Inspection Cost? Can It Save Money Long Term?

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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton

How Much Does an RV Inspection Cost? Can It Save Money Long Term?

Are you buying your first RV? Understanding the cost of an RV inspection is crucial for every RV owner or potential buyer. So, how much does an RV inspection cost? Typically, the price ranges from $200 to $700, depending on the size of the RV and the depth of the inspection required.

• RV inspection costs vary based on factors like size and type.
• Basic inspection: $200 to $400; checks electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
• Comprehensive inspection: $400 to $600; includes detailed report.
• Larger or luxurious RVs may cost up to $800.
• Additional services like roof inspection add extra fees.
• A $600 inspection saved the client $5,000 in potential repairs.

Often, after buying these vehicles, RV owners tend to make some adjustments according to their requirements. But this can only happen when you have a keen eye for details.

One way or the other, you have to inspect the vehicle. To do that, you should hire an inspector to check whether all the necessary items are in place and see whether they comply with all the laws.

RV inspection can save you from many future troubles, such as unnecessary water leakage, system malfunction, connectivity failures, and more. Even if you own one, periodic vehicle inspections will save you from such issues.

So, what is the RV inspection cost? How much money should you set aside while purchasing your RV? And more importantly, why do you need an RV inspection in the first place? I am going to answer these questions in this post.

Why Do You Need to Inspect Your RV?

See, an RV is not just a vehicle; it has many different utilities for the people using it – kitchen, bathroom, air conditioner, Wi-Fi, Internet, GPS, and whatnot.

Bringing all these terrific features inside a motorized vehicle requires inspection and maintenance. Purchasing and keeping an RV requires maintenance. Purchasing an RV is just like buying your home.

You don’t want to spend loads of money on an RV and later find out it’s just a box with lots of useless stuff. And even if it looks OK from the naked eye, there could be some potential issues you might miss during the inspection.

A simple gas leak can go unnoticed. You might think that your electrical ports are working fine, but there might be a possibility of a short circuit due to a naked wire that’s coming in contact with the body of the vehicle.

The ceiling might look new, but what about the rust and all the mess it might be hiding behind?

If you’re on the same page, let’s dive into details and find out how much a pre-purchase RV inspection costs and how it is done.

Pre-Purchase RV Inspection Cost

As mentioned earlier, if you’re buying a used RV, you might need to check it to ensure it meets all the required standards.

Elements of Pre-purchase Inspection

An inspection can highlight potential issues that might cause problems for you later. There are different things to look for while inspecting.

You might not know about any possible electrical problems or leakage from a water system inside the vehicle. There are a lot of small parts inside that can cause problems for you if they’re not checked.

Inspection of the mechanical parts and the exterior of the recreational vehicle before the purchase is done. These are the essential parts that help run the car and can include a piece as small as a screw on the tire.

These types of inspections usually cost $150 for examination and more than $500 for full inspection, based on the kind of RV you’re getting inspected.

Small Vs. Large RV Inspection

Smaller RVs are more accessible to check and can be inspected by small workshops. They can easily be put on a lift so that the mechanic can have a good look at it. Larger vehicles are more challenging to examine and would cost you way more than the usual price.

Larger RVs, or simply Class A recreational vehicles, have a much larger chassis and work on diesel. Not every mechanic deals with diesel-run motors. You would have to look for a specialized inspector, hence adding on some extra bills.

Inspection Duration

A proper inspection lasts about three to six hours, depending on the examination. The inspection of the RV’s interior generally costs more than the cost of the inspection of its motorized parts.

There are certain safety marks the inspector has to check and make sure that everything works properly. Now, do you need routine inspections of your RV? The simple answer is Yes! And here’s why you need it.

Necessary / Routine Inspections

Routine inspection is needed when you own the vehicle, and you must keep it functional at a particular mark to meet all the required standards. This includes safety checks and the emissions from your car.

Emission Testing

Emission testing is needed when your vehicle has been driven for over 8000 km. A safety check ensures that all your lights, braking systems, suspension, and tires are in the proper condition.

If any of these malfunction, it can cause you problems that can add to future costs. This might be more than the cost of repairing that particular part. You might have to replace it altogether.

Duration

An in-depth mandatory examination can take eight hours to a full day. This is done to check everything carefully and not miss the slightest details.

Cost

Depending on your mechanic’s charges and goodwill, this can cost you anywhere from $300 to more than $1500.

Things You Need to Get Checked

Here are some things you need to inspect in your RV. Inevitably, with each of them comes their costs.  

• Aesthetics

You should first notice the ambiance or aesthetics inside when buying an RV. It’s just the feeling you get when you step inside the RV for the first time. It can be the smell inside, the color, the structure, or anything.

• Washroom / Toilet

It is one of the essential features an RV should offer. You need to check if the toilet is working fine if the drainage system is in proper condition, and if the showers and all the taps are working fine.

A check on the heating system in the washroom is necessary if you live in a cold climate.

• Seepage

The most common problems on an RV are the seepage problem and the rust due to moisture or rainfalls. The roof can get severely damaged if it’s not cared for, and you need to get it inspected very often and care for it yourself, too.

There can be signs of rust or simply bubble-like formations on your vehicle’s paint that tell there is water damage. Any cracks or leakage from any pipe can lead to this problem.

The RV’s basement or interior ceiling can easily get damaged, which might not be easy to notice.

This is due to numerous water pipes that might be going over or beneath the surface as a part of the water system on the RV. An inspector can look thoroughly for such issues and brief you about them.

Kitchen and bathroom sinks need maintenance; check them to see if they’re leaking from somewhere or not.

• Electrical Features

It would be best to have a port to charge your phone or laptop or use any electrical appliance. A power backup is also necessary, for that you need to check if your generator is working fine and all the things related to it.

A solar panel can be helpful in situations, so if your RV has a solar panel, you need to check if the battery backup is perfect and the solar panel has no issues.

• Entertainment Features

Recreational vehicles do have different entertainment options to keep you engaged. Some come with just radio sets; others have an option for a Television screen, too, such as in Class A RVs. Some class

RVs also have an option to attach a customized stereo system that lets you enjoy the music. Checking these things would add to your luxuries and provide the best experience.

• Lighting

Lights help you see in the dark. They are the most important feature, yet some people do not pay much attention to it. All the headlights in the RV, indicators, and interior lighting, such as bulbs and LEDs, should all work fine.

• Tires, Suspensions, and Body Parts

A check on these parts is necessary. Even if one of these is malfunctioning, it can be fatal.

Tires should have the best grip, as RVs are generally used on highways and areas far from settlements. Replace them if they have any signs of wear and tear.

Suspensions are just as necessary as the tires. All the suspensions should be working fine and strong enough to bear the shocks they might get on the journey.

Body parts, including the bumper and fenders, windows, or other parts, should be in their best condition.

• Furniture

Many RVs offer decent furniture options, if not the best. Class A vehicles would even have couches or recliners featured inside.

Sleeping place is one of the main reasons why you bought the RV. A check on the mattresses or the sofa cushions can guarantee an excellent place to rest while outing.

• Air Conditioning

Along with the water-related issues, what most people complain about an RV is its air conditioning system.

A problem in the cooling system can be because the condenser is not functioning well, the fan is damaged, or even something as little as the seal on your windows or doors.

How Often Should You Service an RV?

Determining how often you should service an RV involves considering several factors. While it’s recommended to have your RV serviced at least once a year, the frequency could also depend on the mileage and overall use of the vehicle.

Regularly servicing your RV can help prevent expensive repairs in the future and ensure its longevity. The optimal time to conduct a thorough check-up is usually at the onset of spring, owing to the increase in vacation frequency.

Moreover, assessing any potential damage that may have occurred during the harsh winter months is crucial. Thus, annual servicing is an essential part of RV ownership and maintenance.

Summary

The cost of an RV inspection can fluctuate significantly based on the size and type of the vehicle, with prices generally ranging from $200 to $800.

A basic RV inspection, which typically checks the electrical system, plumbing, and HVAC, may cost between $200 and $300.

For a more comprehensive inspection that includes a detailed report, you can expect to pay somewhere in the range of $400 to $600.

If you own a larger or more luxurious RV, the cost could increase to $800. Additional services, such as a roof inspection, could also add to the total cost.

Despite these upfront costs, investing in an RV inspection can save you significant money in the long term. For instance, a $600 inspection could reveal issues that, if left unaddressed, could result in $5,000 worth of repairs.

Thus, when asking, “How Much Does an RV Inspection Cost?” it’s essential to consider the initial outlay and the potential savings.

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