What makes this particular example interesting is the mileage, just over 38,000 miles for a nearly 20-year-old motorhome suggests either very careful ownership or perhaps someone who bought it with grand touring plans that never quite materialised. Either way, you’d be looking at a machine that’s barely been run in by motorhome standards.
The Autoquest 100 sits in Elddis’s entry-level range, but don’t let that put you off. Sometimes the simpler approach works better, especially when you’re dealing with the realities of British weather and the inevitable learning curve that comes with motorhome ownership.
Size and Practicality of the Autoquest 100
At 5.36 metres before you add the bike rack, the Autoquest 100 strikes a sensible balance between internal space and real-world usability. You’ll find this length manageable on most British roads, though you might think twice about tackling some of Devon’s narrower lanes or attempting that shortcut through a Cotswolds village on market day.
The 2.2-metre width is standard for this class, meaning you’ll fit comfortably in most parking spaces and won’t spend your entire holiday worrying about wing mirrors. When you’re navigating supermarket car parks or trying to squeeze into that promising-looking pub car park, those extra centimetres matter more than you might think.
With a payload of approximately 475kg, you’ve got reasonable scope for loading up with holiday essentials, though you’ll need to be more thoughtful than you might with a larger ‘van. Four people’s clothing, food for a week, and the inevitable accumulation of holiday purchases will eat into that allowance faster than you’d expect.
Driving the Elddis Autoquest 100
The Peugeot Boxer 2-litre engine with five-speed manual gearbox was a solid choice in 2004, and remains perfectly adequate for motorhome duties today. You won’t be winning any traffic light grands prix, but you’ll have enough grunt to maintain motorway speeds and tackle reasonable hills without too much drama.
What you might appreciate most is the familiarity – if you’ve driven a van or larger car, the Autoquest 100 won’t feel alien. The addition of reversing sensors should help with those inevitable moments when you’re trying to back into a pitch while a queue of fellow campers watches your every move.
The electric mirrors and windows add a touch of convenience that you’ll particularly appreciate when you’re adjusting mirrors for the first time or trying to pay at toll booths. Central locking means you won’t be walking around the ‘van checking doors like you’re securing Fort Knox.
Living Space in the Autoquest 100
Step inside and you’ll find a layout that makes sensible use of the available space. The front lounge area features two forward-facing seats and two rear-facing seats, with bench seating opposite, enough for four people to sit comfortably for meals or evening relaxation, though you might find it cosy if everyone’s trying to spread out with books and tablets.
Storage is addressed with cupboards above and below the seating areas, which you’ll appreciate when you’re trying to keep four people’s belongings organised in a relatively compact space. The large wardrobe should handle hanging clothes for the family, though you might need to be selective about what makes the cut for longer trips.
The inclusion of a fireplace is an interesting touch that could make autumn and winter touring more appealing. While it won’t heat the entire ‘van, it’ll certainly create a focal point for evening relaxation and take the chill off those cooler evenings.
Autoquest 100 Sleeping Arrangements
The four-berth layout combines a double bed above the cab with the lounge area converting to another double bed. The overcab bed is likely to be the more comfortable of the two, offering a proper mattress and the psychological comfort of a permanent sleeping space.
Converting the lounge each evening might become tedious on longer trips, particularly if you’re the type who likes to stay up reading while your partner heads to bed early. You’ll also need to clear away any evening activities before you can make up the bed, which can feel restrictive after a long day’s touring.
For families with younger children, the arrangement works well, parents in one bed, children in the other, with enough separation for everyone to get a decent night’s sleep. Teenagers might be less enthusiastic about the lack of privacy, but that’s a challenge with most motorhomes in this size category.
Kitchen Space in the Autoquest 100
The kitchen area centres around an Electrolux fridge, sink, and oven grill with four hobs, a perfectly adequate setup for holiday cooking. You’ll have enough cooking capacity to prepare proper meals rather than relying entirely on pub food and takeaways, though you might find yourself planning menus more carefully than you would at home.
Multiple cupboards provide storage for crockery, cutlery, and food supplies, though you’ll need to be organised to make the most of the available space. The sink appears to be a reasonable size for washing up, though you might find yourself doing dishes more frequently to avoid the pile-up that can quickly overwhelm a small space.
What you won’t find is masses of worktop space, so meal preparation becomes more of a choreographed affair. Simple meals work best, and you’ll probably find yourself gravitating towards one-pot dishes and anything that minimises washing up.
The Autoquest 100 Bathroom
The corner bathroom arrangement includes sink, shower, toilet, and mirror in what’s likely to be a compact but functional space. This layout makes efficient use of the available area, though you’ll need to master the art of the quick shower to avoid flooding the toilet area.
The Thetford cassette toilet is accessed from outside via its own locker, which means emptying duties don’t require you to manhandle the cassette through the living area. This external access is particularly appreciated when you’re dealing with the less glamorous aspects of motorhome ownership.
Having a proper bathroom, even a small one, transforms the motorhome experience compared to ‘vans where you’re relying on site facilities. You’ll have the freedom to wild camp or use sites with less impressive amenity blocks without compromising on basic comfort.
Autoquest 100 Systems and Storage
The 70-litre fresh water tank should provide reasonable autonomy for a family of four, though you’ll need to be more water-conscious than you might at home. The 40-litre waste tank is proportionally smaller, which means you might find yourself emptying grey water more frequently than you’d like.
External features include the awning, which extends your living space significantly in decent weather, and the bike rack for those who want to explore local areas on two wheels. The gas locker provides secure storage for your gas bottles, while the TV aerial suggests the original owners valued their evening entertainment.
The Truma blown-air heating system should keep the ‘van comfortable in cooler weather, though you’ll want to ensure the gas system has been properly serviced given the age of the vehicle. The 3-way fridge with freezer gives you flexibility in power sources and enough cold storage for a reasonable shop.
Other Motorhomes Worth Considering
If the Autoquest 100 appeals but you’re wondering about alternatives, the Elddis Autoquest 115 Review: Longer Wheelbase with Added Living Space offers a longer wheelbase with potentially more storage and living space.
The Compass Avantgarde 115 Review: A Sister Brand’s Take on Compact Touring provides a different take on the compact family motorhome from Elddis’s sister brand.
For those who might want even more space, the Elddis Autoquest 140 Review: Larger Layout with Extra Room Inside steps up to a larger footprint with correspondingly more interior room.
Final Thoughts
The 2004 Elddis Autoquest 100 represents honest, straightforward motorhoming without pretensions or unnecessary complications. It’s sized for real-world use, equipped with the essentials, and priced at a level where you can get into motorhome ownership without taking out a second mortgage.
The low mileage is genuinely appealing, suggesting you’d be buying something that hasn’t been thrashed around Europe or subjected to the wear and tear of constant use. However, remember that a 20-year-old motorhome will need attention regardless of mileage; seals perish, systems age, and components fail whether they’re used heavily or not.
This would suit families looking for weekend breaks and holiday touring, couples who want something manageable for retirement adventures, or anyone who values simplicity over luxury. Just don’t expect miracles from the space – it’s a compact family motorhome that delivers exactly what it promises, nothing more, nothing less.
Do you have a motorhome to sell? Call us on 01283 240237 or simply enter your reg number here to sell your motorhome!
