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Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 20/3/2010

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"buy privately.  My wife would say the latter for piece of mind."  Do you mean she says "the former"?

Buying private is not all bad. I quess there are more good vans than bad. Your local seller should have service reports from a local dealer. Unlikely to get them off ebay. eBay will be generic and possibly made up names if you check.

If you buy privately, mention the advert and make it stunningly clear that you are relying on the representations in that advert to buy the van. Have a witness. You still need to have a good poke around to satisfy yourself it is as advertised.

Remember the wonderful line from one poster on here that the warranty is either three yards long or the front gate whichever comes first (Brilliant). Your dealer will fix under warranty but privately you're on your own.

Phil

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My father always used to say "Guaranteed 'til it breaks down".

I guess its true to say that the newer it is the less chance of problems but then there's more money at stake.

Caravans have a life of about 14 years and during that time they may need resealing. If it's done in time to prevent damage, there's no problem. However if it's left too long the damage may be beyond economic repair.

The lesson is to have it serviced anually including a very comprehensive damp check and to keep that service history. Then prospective buyers can see tha it's been well looked after.

Quote: Originally posted by Midgecamper on 22/11/2021

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Hi Phil (cwdc56768) are you still available for advice? Kind regards, Simon

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Quote: Originally posted by Midgecamper on 22/11/2021

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Hi Phil (cwdc56768) are you still available for advice? Kind regards, Simon

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Quote: Originally posted by Thumper18 on 24/11/2021

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Hi good afternoon all, I recently purchased a secondhand caravan privately which was advertised as having no leaks. One week later it had rainwater coming in. Seller not interested and so I had the van professionally serviced and inspected which has not only found considerable damp but also structural/safety issues and a mighty estimate to put right. So it’s another sorry tale of a private buyer considering going legal to try to recover something back…any advice please?

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Quote: Originally posted by Thumper18 on 25/11/2021

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Good morning and thank you for your message. No, this was a private sale and I don’t believe they were masquerading as traders at all. The advert stated the caravan as having “no leaks or soft spots” and it was purchased on a dry day. A week later on our first use of it starting leaking quite badly during some rain which raised alarm bells.

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Quote: Originally posted by 22seaside on 26/11/2021

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My understanding is that much will depend on both the age of the van and the price paid for it.
If the seller claims no leaks, then it may well be that it had not leaked while in the seller's possession and the statement was made in good faith.
If it was an old van, then it may be said that springing a leak is something that could be expected at some stage, and it is just your bad luck that it started so soon after purchase.
Unless you can discover evidence of old leaks that have been repaired and/or covered up, proving misrepresentation could be very difficult.

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Quote: Originally posted by Thumper18 on 26/11/2021

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Good morning all, thank you all for your advice - I’m so grateful and whereas I previously felt helpless at least there is a glimmer of hope now. The caravan is fairly old (2003) but has been refurbished by the previous owners which what attracted me to it and so I did pay quite a lot when compared to other vans of a similar age. I absolutely expected to have to maintain it regularly and carry out cosmetic repairs but nothing on this scale for the price.

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