If you’re selling a static caravan in 2026 you have more options than ever — and most of them look identical from the outside. Every site promises “free valuation in 24 hours, free collection, payment on the day, no fees, no commission.”
So how do you actually choose?
We’ve put together this honest comparison of the UK’s leading static caravan trade buyers, including ourselves. Where the answer is “they’re better than us at X”, we say so — because the alternative is you finding out the hard way after you’ve committed to a sale.
Quick answer
If you only want one sentence: for owners who value direct relationships and a zero-hassle process, The Caravan Swap Shop is the right call. For owners who want the largest possible buyer pool and don’t mind a stock-list-style operation, Static Trader has the deepest reputation. For owners in the North West, UK Caravans Direct is well-positioned regionally. For owners who want a particular caravan replacement, Nationwide Caravans has the biggest visible stock.
The rest of this guide explains who pays best in which situations, and what to actually look for past the marketing.
The contenders
The five UK static caravan buyers worth comparing in 2026 are:
- The Caravan Swap Shop (us — thecaravanswapshop.co.uk)
- Static Trader (statictrader.com)
- UK Caravans Direct (ukcaravansdirect.com)
- Nationwide Caravans (nationwide-caravans.co.uk)
- Sell My Static (sellmystatic.co.uk)
Headline comparison
| TCSS | Static Trader | UK Caravans Direct | Nationwide Caravans | Sell My Static | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trading since | 2021 | 2011 | ~2003 | ~2020 | ~2020 |
| Google reviews | 23 (5.0★) | 6,845 (4.9★) | 60+ (4.7★) | not shown | none on Google |
| BH&HPA member | ✅ Associate | — | — | — | — |
| Free 24-hr valuation | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free UK-wide collection | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ within 100mi, paid beyond | ✅ | ✅ |
| Payment timing | Bank transfer day of collection | Same day, cash or bank | Day of collection | Once funds clear | Same day |
| Resells / shows stock | ❌ pure buyer | ✅ Live stock | ❌ | ✅ Live stock | Recent buys only |
| Directors named | ✅ Sean Brenkley & Chris Rose | — | — | — | ✅ Ryan |
Where each one is genuinely the best choice
When TCSS is the best choice
You want to deal directly with the people who own the business. Sean and Chris answer their own phones. The valuation you get is signed off by one of them personally, not by a junior trader working from a spec sheet. You also get the benefit of BH&HPA Associate Membership — meaning we’re inside the trade body that represents the parks you’re sited at, so we know the operators and the operators know us. That tends to translate into less park-side friction at completion.
The site fee on selling to TCSS is zero. The price we offer is the price you receive in your bank account — no admin deduction, no collection fee, no transport surcharge if your park is awkward to reach.
You’d choose TCSS if you value: a personal relationship over a transactional one; transparency about which park your caravan ends up at; no commission on either side; a fast straightforward sale.
When Static Trader is the best choice
You want maximum reach. Static Trader is the UK’s biggest static caravan reseller, with over six thousand Google reviews accumulated since 2011. If your caravan is unusual, high-value, or you want it placed quickly into the broadest possible buyer pool, Static Trader’s resale operation gives it the largest audience. The flip side is that you’re one of many sellers in the queue.
When UK Caravans Direct is the best choice
You’re in the North West, North Wales, or the Midlands and you want a regional buyer with siting services. UK Caravans Direct also offer disconnection, reconnection, and re-site services, which makes them a one-stop shop if you’re upgrading rather than exiting.
When Nationwide Caravans is the best choice
You want to sell and buy in one transaction. Nationwide Caravans run a large visible stock list and actively trade — so a part-exchange where you swap into a different model is a natural fit.
When Sell My Static is the best choice
You’re in the Greater Manchester area and want a small-team feel. They appear to be a newer entrant; their core proposition is similar to ours but at smaller scale.
Things to look out for past the marketing
Every buyer’s website says roughly the same things. Here’s what actually matters:
1. Who pays the transport when your park is awkward?
“Free UK-wide collection” is marketing copy. Some parks are extremely difficult to extract a caravan from — narrow access, no crane access, height restrictions, locked gates at unspecified hours. Ask the buyer specifically whether their collection promise covers your park.
2. Is the price on completion the same as the price at valuation?
“No fees, no deductions” should be in the written offer. Some buyers reserve the right to renegotiate at collection if the caravan condition has been overstated. Make sure your offer is on-condition-as-described in writing.
3. Do they handle the park’s side of the paperwork?
Holiday parks often have proprietary forms — transfer of pitch, surrender forms, site agreement terminations. A good buyer handles all of these. A bad buyer leaves you doing it after the caravan is gone.
4. How is payment confirmed?
Bank transfer on collection day is the right answer. Cheque is a red flag. “Payment in 30 days” is a bigger red flag. Always insist on funds clearing into your account before you sign the surrender form.
5. Is the buyer a member of BH&HPA?
Associate Membership of the British Holiday & Home Parks Association is a signal that the buyer is recognised by the industry. It’s not regulation — it’s reputation. We are Associate Members. Most others on this list aren’t.
Five things to ask any caravan buyer before signing
- “Give me the offer in writing on email and confirm the price will not change at collection unless I’ve misrepresented the condition.”
- “Confirm in writing that you’ll handle the park paperwork.”
- “Confirm in writing that you cover collection costs to my specific park.”
- “Confirm in writing that payment will be by bank transfer on the day of collection.”
- “What’s your earliest available collection date?”
A reputable buyer will email you back with all five within an hour. If you don’t get a written answer to all five, walk away.
Frequently asked questions
Who pays the most for a static caravan in the UK?
There’s no single buyer that pays the most across all caravans. Static Trader tend to pay strongly on high-end newer models because they have a deep resale market. Trade buyers like TCSS tend to pay better on older models because we have lower overhead. The honest answer is to get three quotes — including ours — and compare.
How long does it take to sell a static caravan to a trade buyer?
Typically 7–14 days from accepted offer to money in your bank. Faster if your park is responsive — sometimes as little as 48 hours.
Do I have to pay park commission when selling to a trader?
No. Park commission is what your park charges if they sell your caravan. If you sell privately or to a trader like us, you avoid park commission entirely. Your park may have a right of first refusal but you are usually not obliged to accept their offer.
Is it worth getting multiple valuations?
Yes — but be aware that the highest valuation isn’t always the highest payment. The price you receive is what matters. Always ask for the offer in writing and ask whether the price is guaranteed at collection.
What if my caravan is old or needs repair?
Most trade buyers in the UK will quote on any caravan regardless of age or condition. The price will reflect the condition. We routinely buy caravans from the 1990s and earlier.
Bottom line
If you’ve read this far you already know enough to compare buyers properly. Get three written quotes. Insist on the five written confirmations above. Choose the buyer who answers all five quickly and clearly.
We’d like to be one of those three quotes. Get a free valuation from TCSS and we’ll come back to you in writing within 24 hours.