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I relate this story as a reminder to those who are a little bit forgetful at times like me, in the hope that they don't make the same mistake that I have. My OH and I were enjoying a lovely week-end away when to my horror I discovered the dreaded DAMP had appeared in my caravan. This had only just appeared in the last couple of weeks and it was in a very noticeable spot in plain view, not hidden away in the back of a locker. Anyway, no problem thought I, as the manufacturer gives a 6 year water ingress warranty and my van was only 3 years and 9 months old. When we arrived home I sorted out the paper work ready to make a claim when I realised that the service due in January 2009 had been overlooked, making the warranty null and void. A small argument, OK a rather large argument, followed on whose fault it was, mine or hers. No excuses really it was down to me, however, would the service have made any difference? I always check the van thoroughly as does my OH when she puts things in the locker and as I said earlier this damp is in plain view on the toilet wall above the window so I don't think it would have made the slightest difference at all.  Secondly I would have thought that a van barely 50% through its warranty period was a safe bet, apparently not. Anyway the point of this post, apart from me deserving all the comments that I am sure this will generate, is to hopefully remind people to book their vans in for their service. My only defence was as mine was due in January,Xmas and New Year must have got  me confuddled.

Darn, that's not good news.  What make is it?

Ali

Will it be covered by consumer goods laws as not being fit for the purpose it was sold?  I am sure I have read somewhere that items are covered for shoddy manufacture for six years under EU laws.

Brian

oh no what a mare

we had the same ish issue (found damp had missed a service ) with ours (3 yearsold) which we only bought in feb i went in to the dealer and cried (i get emotional when i am angry lol) they hadnt told us when we purchased the van that it had missed a service so luckily they have agreed to cover the warranty for the full 6 years

hope that you get some joy from the manufacturer

Quote: Originally posted by mzzy on 30/9/2009

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Its terrible how all these new caravans are going damp, specially with the cost of them! I'm sure it couldn't have been this bad years ago, after all you still see some really old caravans going strong!

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Sadly, I think the care and attention that was lavished on vans by the tradesmen in the past has been replaced by deadlines and productivity targets. You can't blame the workers sometimes when it's their jobs at stake if they dont meet the targets.

Update to my predicament :The manufacturer has got back to me, correctly pointing out that the warranty was invalidated as I failed to have the van serviced as per the schedule, also agreeing that the service may not have prevented the damp but would have picked it up earlier, however as a goodwill gesture they are offering to supply the parts FOC and for me to pay the labour charges. While on the surface this may sound a good deal I am still concerned that by offering a 6 year water ingress warranty they are stating that they believe their product will meet that. The fact that it did not is surely down to a failure either in the manufacturing process or the materials used to build the van both of which has nothing whatsoever to do with having the van serviced. I think a call to Trading Standards is called for just for peace of mind. 

I took the van back to the dealer today and as expected he tried various methods to confuse me.

 1. We have no record of your van ever having been serviced at all. Thats funny because I have.

2. Ah you missed a service so the warranty is null and void. I had to explain that I was claiming under the Sale of Goods Act.

3. He asked if we could still use the van, when I said yes it was useable he then said that the van was still "fit for purpose". This may have been after I mistakenly stated that it was unfit for purpose when in fact I should have said it was "not of satisfactory quality". 

4. When I said that I was acting on advice from Trading Standards he said he would ring them as they dealt with them all the time. 

5. His best line was that anyone could buy a caravan from him, not have it serviced at all saving them pounds and then go back to him with a fault and expect him to fix it.

6. The outcome was that he says he will speak to the manufacturer on Monday and  they will probably "chip in a bit" and make me an offer. He says that he wants to put his offer to TS as a fair compromise, however they have said that they will not discuss my case with him but only advise him of the law and his responsibilities.

He also had one of those platform ladders which he used to examine the van and while we were doing so he pointed out a hairline crack in the GRP back panel near the edge where the damp starts on the inside. No further mention was made of this but I have not forgotten. He also said that the damp was probably not even present in January when the van was due a service.  

TS have advised me to now go ahead and send the Recorded Delivery letter using the template from their web-site. It is in the post.