Xplore 526 stress cracks and water ingress
Hi. I have a caravan which is almost 1 year old. At its first service stress cracks were found on the back panel on the top right hand corner and the back right hand corner of the caravan is suffering from water ingress. I have taken the caravan back to the dealer and they are completing a warranty claim to Elddis. Whilst this will hopefully solve the problem I am not at all happy that my caravan is less than a year old and I am in a position where I need to replace the rear end pod, wall boards, top rails, etc. I bought the caravan with a 10 year water ingress guarantee so did not expect this. I want to write to the dealer to complain but am not sure what I should be asking for, as the damp was not found in the first six months (during the summer, when water ingress is less likely) I don't really seam to have any redress. I live more than 1 hour away from the dealer we work full time and have football on Saturday mornings so delivering the caravan for the repairs is not convenient, can I make them collect and return the caravan to us? Will my guarantee be extended or do I need to ask for this? Any advice would be appreciated. I also forgot to complain that the aerial broke the first outing of the caravan, If I ring will they add to the warranty list or can they say that they need to see it before they claim? I am not prepared to take it a second time for assessment. Thank you.
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Compass Omega. I put all my faults / niggles in writing to the dealer including the cracked rear panel at the time I booked it in for it's first service. Dealer then also found 30% damp around the large Heki rooflight and staining of the panels. It was in the dealers for 8 weeks, all faults now sorted, my list was ticked off, new rear panel fitted, new rooflight and panels fitted, the dealer made a better job than Elddis. You only get 12 month warranty on the rear and front panels so you have reported the cracks in time, like myself, others on this forum have not been so lucky!
It is disappointing of the poor build quality from Elddis, my previous caravan, a Sprite Alpine 4, which I had for 9.5 years had no problems at all.
The dealer is responsible to put the caravan right.
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A friend has similar problems with Xplore apparently it happens a lot. I would go "not fit for purpose" route and stick to your guns. Many years ago I had a trailer serviced and it came back rewired with reversed indicator lights fitted. i.e. LR indicated left trailer right!! I made them collect and correct. I had been listening to Jimmy Young and his Legal Beagle! For the youngsters that was a Radio 2 programme.
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Worth stating that any Elddis caravan more than 12 months old is not covered for front/rear panel cracks UNLESS there is water penetration. Perhaps some consideration should be made to encourage water penetration in such cases.
Completely unnecessary if a decent warranty was in place.1 -
You do have rights against the dealer under The Consumer Protection Act and can demand that they put the caravan right rather than rely on Eldiss who have a poor track record for this problem. I doubt you can legally reject the caravan and demand your money back this late after the purchase but you could try. If you used a credit card for any part of the purchase or bought it on HP you also have rights against the companies involved under the Consumer Credit Act and should notify them of the problem.
You can claim legitimate expenses if they will not collect the caravan so make that clear to the dealer.
Eldiss caused the problem but the poor dealer is legally responsible. Hope you chose a good dealer as this is essential in these cases.
You can get advice from the clubs legal helpline or the CAB and both will should able to help you.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
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I have the Xplore 402 bought new in 2014 I now know why the 3 year service has to be done before the anniversary date. Cracks in both rear corners, hinges gone around front window which has let in water and now the interior front wall board needs replacing. Fuse box not cutting out when overloaded, and several more minor issues. I had noticed the cracks and the damp in the front, but everything else picked up by the dealer, who have been brilliant, (they're just outside Coventry) no quibble, van is now in for complete repair. But what happens now van is out of warranty? Panels may be guaranteed for a year, but my cracks only appeared after 2. My solution: just traded it in. Wouldn't touch another Xplore, do a google search for Xplore cracked back panels, too many for it to be a "one off" problem.
good luck all you Xplore owners and check your back top corner panels every time you go out.
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We have a 2016 Coachman 575, and when the first service was done, we had exactly the same fault and problem, with stress cracks. Luckily no water ingress. It is now waiting to be fixed. There is no doubt that this is a problem ALL ROUND? Fortunately we have an excellent person that does the service at my address. I wonder If I had taken the van back to where it was purchased IF this was "found".
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I am totally frustrated with the Elddis now Erwin Hymer group. Purchased our Xplore 574 new 2014, back panel replaced in first year cracks developed in third year on front, so outside warranty and Elddis refused to deal with it, cracked again on back in 2019. Our dealer has been excellent but as no longer deals with Elddis, my remaining 5 years of water ingress protection would be invalid if they continue to maintain the van. Absolutely no support from the manufacturer or recognition of shoddy workmanship. Will not be purchasing another van from this manufacturer.
As a side issue has anyone contested the warranty terms and conditions?
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The warranty should not be affected if the current dealer services it provided the are NCC approved.
If an item is faulty, irrespective of the guarantee conditions, you have the right to have it repaired or replaced under the Consumer Protection Act 2015 or Sale of Goods Act depending on the date of purchase. The right is against the dealer however and not the caravan maker.
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This was my first caravan, also an Explore purchased new four years ago. I wish I'd looked up them up before purchasing!
I've now only found the cracks and complained to Elddis. The answer was basically sorry, but tough,, get it repaired or it will invalidate the water ingress warranty,, what a pointless warranty!
I can't get them to say whether they have fixed the cracking issue without them admitting there was a manufacturing problem, so I don't know if I get it repaired that it wont happen again.
I've now seen so many forums concerning Elddis it's not looking likely that I'll get a good result.
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