Leaking Caravan
Discussion
A friend has bought a second-hand caravan in a private sale. The advert didn't list any issues with the caravan.
Having now owned the caravan for a few weeks, it's obvious there's a reasonably substantial leak at the front of the caravan. It has also become apparent the seller knew about this, because my friend took the caravan to a local guy to dianose and repair it, and the guy confirmed he'd already tried to fix it for the previous owner.
The seller isn't interested in helping in any way - either in refunding, contributing to the repair or repairing it themselves and is stating it was sold as seen. It was sold as seen, but is the seller under an obligation to highlight the substantial leak to the buyer? Is there any recourse for my friend? She's understandably pissed off.
Having now owned the caravan for a few weeks, it's obvious there's a reasonably substantial leak at the front of the caravan. It has also become apparent the seller knew about this, because my friend took the caravan to a local guy to dianose and repair it, and the guy confirmed he'd already tried to fix it for the previous owner.
The seller isn't interested in helping in any way - either in refunding, contributing to the repair or repairing it themselves and is stating it was sold as seen. It was sold as seen, but is the seller under an obligation to highlight the substantial leak to the buyer? Is there any recourse for my friend? She's understandably pissed off.
Paul Lazzaro said:
I don't know the wording, unfortunately. Just trying to help a friend out. I guess people are just different - I'd feel obliged to point out any issues with anything I was selling.
I guess the advert was very careful to ensure there was no comeback. There will only be a comeback if the advert ays Excellent Condition or something as it can be proved the seller knew it wasn't.If the caravan was mis-represented in the advert, ie. if it said no leaks, no damp etc.. then your friend, in theory, should have a case to return and get a refund.
However, actually going through that process and getting an outcome that is satisfactory won't be straight forward.
Not sure where they stand if it just doesn't mention anything about leak or damp.
OP, is it a Bailey? We bought one from new in 2004/5 and during our ownership of 15 years it had to go in for damp repair twice at a cost of £1000 each time.
When I came to sell it a small local dealer came to look with a damp meter and found yet more damp!
He still wanted it but knocked a fair chunk off the asking price.
At that stage we had had our monies worth out of it and just wanted rid.
Dealer said that era of Baileys are always damp.
However, actually going through that process and getting an outcome that is satisfactory won't be straight forward.
Not sure where they stand if it just doesn't mention anything about leak or damp.
OP, is it a Bailey? We bought one from new in 2004/5 and during our ownership of 15 years it had to go in for damp repair twice at a cost of £1000 each time.
When I came to sell it a small local dealer came to look with a damp meter and found yet more damp!
He still wanted it but knocked a fair chunk off the asking price.
At that stage we had had our monies worth out of it and just wanted rid.
Dealer said that era of Baileys are always damp.
GreatGranny said:
If the caravan was mis-represented in the advert, ie. if it said no leaks, no damp etc.. then your friend, in theory, should have a case to return and get a refund.
this^The seller does not legally have the declare any issues, only not to misrepresent the item. Unless the seller has said its dry, does leak or has no issues either in written or verbally when asked there is no case.
Will the guy who said hes seen this van before for this exact issue give evidence?
Wacky Racer said:
Anyone buying a used caravan or motorhome should go over all interior panels with a good quality damp meter (Even if it is a year old).
Unless the advert specifically stated no damp (or similar) as a private sale it is probably buyer beware.
Good luck anyhow,
Even if it's brand new from the factory!Unless the advert specifically stated no damp (or similar) as a private sale it is probably buyer beware.
Good luck anyhow,
Appalling - & I've often said it's a good job that caravan manufacturers don't build boats - but I did see quite a few at a caravan dealers that arrived wet from the factory, often from the bit of tape that sealed the rear panel to the rear of the roof panel.
A very low % of damp in a caravan seems to be considered normal.
Ex neighbour of mine was a caravan repair guy & he said he could EASILY make a living just doing damp repairs on caravans of ANY age.
He was an "approved warranty" repair guy for several of the manufacturers & yes, that did include damp repairs.
Basically they all do it, it is only a matter of the extent that they do whether it becomes a problem or not in the time of ownership.
He was an "approved warranty" repair guy for several of the manufacturers & yes, that did include damp repairs.
Basically they all do it, it is only a matter of the extent that they do whether it becomes a problem or not in the time of ownership.
E-bmw said:
Ex neighbour of mine was a caravan repair guy & he said he could EASILY make a living just doing damp repairs on caravans of ANY age.
He was an "approved warranty" repair guy for several of the manufacturers & yes, that did include damp repairs.
Basically they all do it, it is only a matter of the extent that they do whether it becomes a problem or not in the time of ownership.
Eribas don't generally suffer from damp due to their different construction method, their lower chassis just rusts instead! hashtag askmehowIknow He was an "approved warranty" repair guy for several of the manufacturers & yes, that did include damp repairs.
Basically they all do it, it is only a matter of the extent that they do whether it becomes a problem or not in the time of ownership.
But yes, I agree, the standard UK caravan seems susceptible to it.
Lots of videos on YouTube of people tackling the problem with varying degrees of success.
andburg said:
this^
The seller does not legally have the declare any issues, only not to misrepresent the item. Unless the seller has said its dry, does leak or has no issues either in written or verbally when asked there is no case.
Will the guy who said hes seen this van before for this exact issue give evidence?
Thanks for all the replies. The above one probably summarisee what I wanted to know. I can't offer much more because I haven't seen the ad or the caravan. The seller does not legally have the declare any issues, only not to misrepresent the item. Unless the seller has said its dry, does leak or has no issues either in written or verbally when asked there is no case.
Will the guy who said hes seen this van before for this exact issue give evidence?
But the repair guy has apparently given my friend written details of previous work carried out, so if it was "misrepresented" then hopefully there could be some recourse. If not, she'll just have to chalk it up to experience and not make the same mistake next time.
Has the repairer told your friend that he was able to successfully repair the water ingress?
That said, as it's a private sale & providing the seller didn't misrepresent the condition of the caravan then unfortunately I think your friend will struggle to get any redress.
Even if asked it is likely the seller would claim that they had had the issue repaired & as far as they knew it was all OK.
That said, as it's a private sale & providing the seller didn't misrepresent the condition of the caravan then unfortunately I think your friend will struggle to get any redress.
Even if asked it is likely the seller would claim that they had had the issue repaired & as far as they knew it was all OK.
Edited by paintman on Thursday 30th March 11:56
PurpleTurtle said:
E-bmw said:
Ex neighbour of mine was a caravan repair guy & he said he could EASILY make a living just doing damp repairs on caravans of ANY age.
He was an "approved warranty" repair guy for several of the manufacturers & yes, that did include damp repairs.
Basically they all do it, it is only a matter of the extent that they do whether it becomes a problem or not in the time of ownership.
Eribas don't generally suffer from damp due to their different construction method, their lower chassis just rusts instead! hashtag askmehowIknow He was an "approved warranty" repair guy for several of the manufacturers & yes, that did include damp repairs.
Basically they all do it, it is only a matter of the extent that they do whether it becomes a problem or not in the time of ownership.
But yes, I agree, the standard UK caravan seems susceptible to it.
Lots of videos on YouTube of people tackling the problem with varying degrees of success.
This sadly is the issue with the majority of UK caravans & it's a 'when' rather than 'if'.
I recently saw one in for water ingress at the upper rear & when the tape & mastic was removed there was a 10 mm gap between the roof panel & the rear panel. How that was deemed acceptable when it was built is beyond me.
paintman said:
This sadly is the issue with the majority of UK caravans & it's a 'when' rather than 'if'.
Unfortunately until mugs stop buying them, there is little incentive to improve. They could quite easily up their game and prevent the issue, but when they are selling all they can build, why bother.A few years back we looked at trading up from the tent and getting a very cheap small touring, but every single one in £5-8k bracket was knackered. The tent was more watertight.
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