The first view over a Madeira cliff road is not the moment to wonder which switch controls the headlights, where the warning triangle lives, or whether a small scratch was already there. A campervan arrival inspection checklist takes a few calm minutes at handover and gives you the confidence to set off, park up and enjoy the island at your own rhythm.
This is not about hunting for faults or turning the start of your holiday into paperwork. It is about getting familiar with your home on wheels while the handover team is there to help. Ask questions, take a few photos and make sure the practical details are clear before the open road calls.
Your campervan arrival inspection checklist
1. Start with the handover and booking details
Before looking around the vehicle, confirm the essentials together: the rental dates, return time and location, emergency contact process, insurance excess and any agreed extras. If another driver will share the driving, make sure they are properly listed and understand the handover too.
Ask how to get help outside normal hours and what information the support team will need if you call. Save the contact number in your phone before you leave. It is a small job that feels very useful when you are in a quiet mountain spot with patchy signal.
2. Photograph the exterior before you drive away
Walk slowly around the campervan with the handover representative. Look at the front, rear, roofline, bumpers, mirrors, wheels and windscreen. Take clear, time-stamped photos or a short video of the vehicle’s condition, paying particular attention to existing marks, chips and dents.
Mention anything not recorded on the condition report, however minor it seems. Good daylight makes this easier, so do it before loading bags or heading off. Check that doors, windows, mirrors and any pop-top roof or awning mechanism close securely. You do not need to be an expert – you only need an agreed record of how the van arrived with you.
3. Check tyres, lights and the driving position
Madeira’s roads reward steady, confident driving. They can also be narrow, steep and full of bends, so take a moment to get comfortable behind the wheel. Adjust the seat and mirrors, find the indicators, wipers, lights, hazard lights, horn and demister, then ask about any controls that are unfamiliar.
Look over the tyres for obvious damage and confirm that the spare wheel or repair kit is present if supplied. Ask where the high-visibility vests, warning triangle and first-aid kit are stored. Check the fuel level against the handover record and clarify the required fuel type and return level. Filling with the wrong fuel is an expensive way to interrupt a brilliant road trip.
4. Learn the dashboard before it asks for attention
Turn on the ignition with the team beside you. Ask which warning lights should appear briefly, which should go out, and what to do if a light remains on during your trip. Find the handbrake, reverse gear, cruise control if fitted, air conditioning and charging points.
If the campervan has a reversing camera or parking sensors, test them before leaving. They are especially welcome when manoeuvring into a tight parking bay or a scenic overnight stop. Remember that a camera supports good observation – it does not replace it.
5. Test the living-area power and solar system
A properly equipped campervan gives you freedom, but that freedom works best when you know how the systems connect. Ask the handover team to show you the leisure battery display, interior lights, USB points, fridge controls and main power switch. If solar panels are fitted, find out what they charge, where the reading is displayed and what can reduce charging performance.
It is worth checking whether the fridge runs differently while driving, parked or connected to campsite electricity. Battery use depends on the season, shade, how long you stay put and which appliances you use. A sunny coastal pitch may keep things topped up nicely, while several days under trees or heavy use of high-draw equipment can change the picture.
6. Run through water, gas and kitchen equipment
Turn on the tap and check the sink drains normally. Confirm the fresh-water level, how to refill it and whether water from the tank is intended for drinking. Ask how grey water is managed and where it may be emptied. Never assume that a roadside drain is appropriate.
If your campervan has gas, ask the team to demonstrate the safe operation of the hob and any heater or hot-water system. Find the gas shut-off valve and understand when it should be closed. Check that pans, crockery, cutlery, a kettle and cooking utensils match what was promised in your booking.
Give the fridge door a quick test too. It should close firmly, particularly before driving on Madeira’s winding roads. A simple cupboard and fridge check can save you from cleaning up a holiday’s worth of groceries after the first hairpin bend.
7. Understand the sleeping setup and ventilation
Set up the bed once before your first night, even if you do not plan to sleep until later. Ask how cushions convert, where bedding is stored and how roof panels, blinds or mosquito screens work. If there is a pop-top, follow the demonstration closely and keep hands clear of moving parts.
Check the window catches and ventilation options. Fresh air matters, but secure ventilation matters more. Do not sleep with a gas appliance running, and use the carbon monoxide and smoke alarms as intended. Ask what the normal indicator lights or test buttons look like, rather than trying to guess later.
8. Check the shower and outdoor gear
An exterior shower is one of those campervan details that feels luxurious after a beach stop or muddy walk. Confirm where the water connection is, how it is activated and whether it uses the fresh-water supply. Test it briefly, then make sure you know how to stow the hose and switch it off.
If your hire includes outdoor chairs, a table, levelling blocks, a cable, beach gear or an awning, inspect the pieces and ask how they pack away. Equipment can vary by vehicle and booking, so use your confirmed inventory rather than assuming every van carries the same kit.
9. Ask about parking, height and road limitations
Your campervan is both transport and your place to relax, so choose stops with care. Ask for the vehicle height, width and length, then save those measurements on your phone. Height barriers, low branches and narrow lanes become much easier to judge when you know the numbers.
Plan conservatively on steep roads and give yourself time for viewpoints, fuel stops and turning around. A route that looks short on a map can take longer than expected across the island. Where overnight parking is permitted, park respectfully, keep noise low and leave the place cleaner than you found it.
10. Take a final five-minute reset
Before you pull away, confirm that all doors, lockers and windows are shut, the roof is secured, loose items are stored and the step is retracted if fitted. Keep your driving documents, keys and support number somewhere accessible but safe.
Then take a short, quiet first drive. Listen for anything unusual, make sure the brakes and steering feel normal, and pull over safely if a dashboard warning appears. Contact support early if you are unsure. Most questions are quick to solve, and asking is always better than continuing with doubt.
A good arrival check does not make the trip less spontaneous. It removes the little uncertainties that can distract from it. Once you know how your campervan works, you are free to follow the coast, pause for the view and let Madeira set the pace.