First time buyer help

Hi, I've just joined the caravan club and I'm looking to buy my first caravan (very excited). My budget is only small around the £1200 mark which means I will be buying a older van. reading the buying advice given on this website, it states vans only have about a 14 year lifetime.... I can't afford new, am I likely to be buying a whole lot of trouble?? Mant thanks in advance