Discussion
I use a main dealer for my MH servicing and I am glad that I do. 
I recently had an issue with damp which thankfully was repaired under the selling dealers warranty (as it was diagnosed within one year of my buying the MH). However despite the MH having a full habitation check history at a main dealer, Autotrail refused initially to honour their 10 year bodywork warranty as the first habitation check that was done (by the previous owner) was 3 months late i.e it was 15 months after the build date and not 12! Subsequent hab checks were also therefore all 3 months late (being on the anniversary of the incorrectly timed initial hab check).
I wrote to the MD pointing out the unfairness of this and because it had a full hab check history at one of their dealers, they agreed that if I took it to the factory and had it damp checked there, if it passed they would reinstate the 10 year warranty. I did; and it did...and they did too (ifkwim
)
I suppose the point I'm making is that if you have a new/newish MH make sure to get it hab checked on the anniversary of its build (usually +/- 30 days). If you are not using a main dealer for the hab check then I would check with the manufacturer that they will still honour the warranty if it is hab checked by whomever you want to use.
I am very lucky that the main dealer I now use has a great bloke working there who is first class in the care and attention he bestows on my P&J. I 100% trust him to do a good job and on numerous occasions he has even done work and not added it to the bill
I recently had an issue with damp which thankfully was repaired under the selling dealers warranty (as it was diagnosed within one year of my buying the MH). However despite the MH having a full habitation check history at a main dealer, Autotrail refused initially to honour their 10 year bodywork warranty as the first habitation check that was done (by the previous owner) was 3 months late i.e it was 15 months after the build date and not 12! Subsequent hab checks were also therefore all 3 months late (being on the anniversary of the incorrectly timed initial hab check).
I wrote to the MD pointing out the unfairness of this and because it had a full hab check history at one of their dealers, they agreed that if I took it to the factory and had it damp checked there, if it passed they would reinstate the 10 year warranty. I did; and it did...and they did too (ifkwim
)I suppose the point I'm making is that if you have a new/newish MH make sure to get it hab checked on the anniversary of its build (usually +/- 30 days). If you are not using a main dealer for the hab check then I would check with the manufacturer that they will still honour the warranty if it is hab checked by whomever you want to use.
I am very lucky that the main dealer I now use has a great bloke working there who is first class in the care and attention he bestows on my P&J. I 100% trust him to do a good job and on numerous occasions he has even done work and not added it to the bill
When we bought our caravan, it was 4.5 years old and had a full service history from the main dealership that had sold it, with 1 owner from new.
When I checked the caravan, I found a damp spot. A few phone calls later and the manufacturer confirmed that it would be repaired under the original warranty, so we bought it.
Took it to the local dealership and the repair work was carried out and it was servicied at the same time.
Since then, because it was then out of warranty, I've used a quite excellent local mobile engineer. He's more competitive, and I think much more thorough (he spent 7 hours servicing our twin axle this year).
He comes to us, I don't have to tow it an hour to the local dealership and it doesn't affect my day at all.
When I checked the caravan, I found a damp spot. A few phone calls later and the manufacturer confirmed that it would be repaired under the original warranty, so we bought it.
Took it to the local dealership and the repair work was carried out and it was servicied at the same time.
Since then, because it was then out of warranty, I've used a quite excellent local mobile engineer. He's more competitive, and I think much more thorough (he spent 7 hours servicing our twin axle this year).
He comes to us, I don't have to tow it an hour to the local dealership and it doesn't affect my day at all.
The reason I asked the questions above is because I am currently a caravan and motorhome tech at a large dealers. I may soon have the opportunity to go solo. Hence why I'm so intrigued as to what customers want in the real world. I would of course join the approved workshop scheme so I could service newer vans without affecting the warranty. My main aim would be to deliver a service that is a cut above the rest in terms of quality and build strong relationships with clients.
We go to places I can trust
and so far that is a Limited bunch.
I have had a fuel sender replaced (warranty), to find they had replaced existing screws on sender cover with 60-75mm set screws.
so long they were marring to plastic fuel tank.
Many little things leaving a poor impression of their skills and interest once the MH was purchased.
I would like to fing a good honest trustworthy service shop/individual
and would be happy to travel and pay.
Us having spent 40k on it I, we are keen to see it kept in good order.
and so far that is a Limited bunch.
I have had a fuel sender replaced (warranty), to find they had replaced existing screws on sender cover with 60-75mm set screws.
so long they were marring to plastic fuel tank.
Many little things leaving a poor impression of their skills and interest once the MH was purchased.
I would like to fing a good honest trustworthy service shop/individual
and would be happy to travel and pay.
Us having spent 40k on it I, we are keen to see it kept in good order.
Edited by V40TC on Friday 1st September 18:31
My mum and dad have a Fendt caravan which they bought in Germany (£7000 cheaper than the same model in the UK).
They take it back to the selling dealers in Germany, however I think this is a bit of wheeze so that they can go on holiday.
They've also got a Hobby motorhome from a dealership in the Midlands and I don't know why they take it there at all - they never ever fix anything properly.
They take it back to the selling dealers in Germany, however I think this is a bit of wheeze so that they can go on holiday.
They've also got a Hobby motorhome from a dealership in the Midlands and I don't know why they take it there at all - they never ever fix anything properly.
So things of key importance are quality servicing that you can trust, which doesn't adversely affect the manufacturers warranty.
All of which is great but it's something that some companies already offer. What are the little touches that would make a difference? For example it always feels like I've had great service when my cars been to my local garage as they keep me updated with what's happening and at the end my invoice is well presented in a clear plastic wallet. It costs the garage a few pence I don't know why but it just feels good.
All of which is great but it's something that some companies already offer. What are the little touches that would make a difference? For example it always feels like I've had great service when my cars been to my local garage as they keep me updated with what's happening and at the end my invoice is well presented in a clear plastic wallet. It costs the garage a few pence I don't know why but it just feels good.
For me it is all about experience, reputation and trust.
We recently took our mh to a local indie (it is seven years old). All of the franchised main dealers either a. Wanted the earth or b. Wanted me to fit around them. Our local indie gave us a time and date that was convinient and only did what was necessary I.e. Didn't change the air filter on a vehicle that has only done 3.5k in the year. Cleaned and replaced only.
They have a good reputation and loved up to it.
We recently took our mh to a local indie (it is seven years old). All of the franchised main dealers either a. Wanted the earth or b. Wanted me to fit around them. Our local indie gave us a time and date that was convinient and only did what was necessary I.e. Didn't change the air filter on a vehicle that has only done 3.5k in the year. Cleaned and replaced only.
They have a good reputation and loved up to it.
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