Caravan Servicing Costs
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A quote is a quote and the price stands. An estimate can vary. I’d argue the toss with them, NB.
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When it comes to mechanical issues I am a self taught person with a large selection of tools.
I carry out all the servicing on my 2 cars as well as my self built Renault Master motorhome and know fully well that they are all in tip top mechanical condition as their MOT histories prove.
When we lived in France and ran our own exclusive small caravan sites, we also had a barn in which we stored as many as 9 caravans on which I used to carry out all their annual services for which I charged an absolute pittance. Following each service I used to give each caravan owner a print out sheet on which was listed every single element of what was a very thorough service.
When it comes to the servicing of a caravan, once it is out of warranty, I honestly can't even begin to understand why more people don't carry out their own servicing as it is honestly, so darned easy to do! But hey-ho, each to their own
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A lot of us do our own servicing, MM, but not everyone is technically minded or physically able to do the work. What is so darned easy for you isn’t for others. I hope that’s helped your understanding.
I have every sympathy for those being seen off by dealers.
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I honestly don't know how the insurance companies get away with it!
Apart from being someone who totally built his own panel van conversion where certain good, knowledgeable and understanding insurance brokers who know what they are talking about and have a real interest in their subject, I am also a classic car owner and enthusiast.
The good knowledgeable insurance brokers who actually know what they are talking about actually expect you to carry out your own servicing, they don't look upon it as being a no go area.
No doubt it would be the same if members were to actually hunt around for an insurance broker who employed people who knew what they were talking about rather than so many of the tele-sales dumb clucks I have sadly spoken to at a certain large organisation I ought not to mention here!!
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My days of limbo dancing under a vehicle to reach an oil filter that doesn't want to come off are behind me as are other aspects of such labours and the same applies to LVs.
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I just had a quote of £215 from Teesside Caravans which is £8 off what we paid for our Nissan Navara service at a main dealership.
For £215 they check some stuff and replace 2 nuts....
last year we were quite £200 to change the fluid in the Alde heating....I did this in the end for about £20 with fluid and water from Euro Carparts.
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Ours is in at the moment being serviced. It is £260 + parts (which will be nuts and usually an expensive battery for the smoke alarm!). It is our first time at this dealer (where we purchased it from last August) and we had previously used a mobile one once warranty on the previous van had expired. Previous to that a large NE dealer who dealer charged £99 + parts in winter, but approx £200 in summer - always thought it was a bit of a rip off in that respect. What makes the season cost more?
Funnily enough - the van is 3 years old and I thought it would need an Alde change, but the dealer never mentioned it on drop off. They charge two prices, one for 2 year and one for 5 year with only about £40 difference. Given the choice, I would have opted for the 5 year but we will see when I return to collect and see if it has been done with asking!
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The dealer we had our van serviced with for 7 years never asked once if we wanted the Alde fluid change. I got it done last year during our van service, by a mobile engineer for about £160 over the service charge, and he also left a container of fluid to top up should we need it.
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I use an NCC approved mobile engineer. He charges £155 for a single axle service including all tests. He issues a fully itemised certificate after the service. I wish my workshop was as fully kitted out and as neat and tidy as his van is. Highly recommended if you live in the Derby / Nottingham area.
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Great service from Couplands at Louth. Picked up this morning - all niggles sorted. Put two new tyres on under warranty and claim in for upholstery problem. Price quoted = price paid. No hidden charges like one shot nuts, washed and hitched back up to take home. Now re-loaded and ready for the off on our next trip. Alde checked, change not required.
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Good to hear, Moonstone. Hope you have no problems on your nest trip away.
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I’ve heard good things of Couplands Moonstone. Having read the OP I can only be thankful that I serviced my Valencia Mk1 every year since 2012 at an approved service centre - just recently I noticed a bulge in the washroom floor and immediately arranged an inspection and repair: The van had a 10 year water ingress warranty (which they later changed to a 6 yr and a charge for 4 more). However my van was covered by the original promise and well done to Bailey- they accepted the problem as theirs and refunded my £600! It pays to service correctly! A further inspection revealed a completely dry ‘van. Yes, they do exist! I hope my new Coachman will be as good.
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Our van is just about to enter its 8th year. The 10-year warranty is only for water ingress, which happened in its first 18 months and was rectified by Swift. This year I decided to have the van service bi-annually v- the most important things are the road worthiness, and the relatively small mileage that it travels means that a 2-year service is more than adequate.
Last year the van was serviced in March, passed OK, then stood until we went to France in May. Towards the end of that holiday the on board water pump showed a drop in performance and was obviously going to fail. As we were due to spend several days at the Morn Hill site when we left France, on arriving at Morn Hill I found that Winchester Caravans had an identical pump in stock, so bought and fitted it at a cost of just under £100. I am able to do most of the work myself to a professional standard (career experience), so for me the bi-annual servicing is a sensible money saver.
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The problem with this is that to maintain the warranty the caravan needs an annual service. There is therefore a risk that damp will reappear and in that case Swift will not pay out. It is a case of offsetting the money saved on servicing it yourself against the risk of further damp being found and the cost of that being rectified.
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Just had ours done by a Bailey accredited independent for £180. The previous owners had it done by a main dealer, who never changed the Alde fluid or lubricated the motor movers.
Happily the vans as dry as a bone and we will be sticking with the independent.
Incidentally they spent 3.5 hours working flat out on the van, the same day the car was serviced in 1.5 hours, and cost more.
Having moved to a caravan from boat ownership we're pretty happy with that, just an annual engine service (for a small 30hp diesel) cost over £250.
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Hello, it was with interest that I read these past comments about caravan services or habitation services on motorhomes.
I have used the same mobile guy for 10 years and have had a fantastic service from him. He comes on the day, and time, we agreed. I can watch what he is doing, if I want, which I don't bother doing as I trust the guy. He does not do any major work without my authority, gives a better service than any of the local dealers. Who is this guy you sk?
Ali's Mobile Caravan Services (AMCS), based in Maud, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Find him on the internet. What I like is that he comes to wherever my vehicle is - ie at storage site, at my home and one time on an actual site! He is a really nice guy, I would not hesitate to recommend him. What I like most of all, he has time to explain any queries that I have.
FYI - I paid £90 (plus VAT) per hour at a garage for my car to be repaired in 2016 !
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I too have used the same mobile service engineer for 7 yrs. He charges £170 for a full service on a single axle caravan, including damp test, and provides a full itemised report. He even replaces minor parts free of charge; for example, brake away cable and flexible gas pipe. Totally reliable and even brings his own coffee! Not surprisingly he is fully booked up with his regulars customers.
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Weve just had our caravan serviced by a local NCC approved mobile engineer at a cost saving of £60 (compared to last year dealer service) but more importantly no having to empty it all out and tow it to them. Done at home and comprehensive report.
Changed the Aldi fluid as well for less cost than dealer.
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Just had my single axle van services at home by a mobile engineer; at a cost of £182. This is for the full service including checking the brakes, electrics, gas appliances lights and damp.
I consider this to be quite high, but he does a through job.
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Our single axle has just been serviced at our storage compound and the Bailey authorised mobile man charged £198 which includes any minor repairs and fully itemised work sheet ,far more thorough than the dealer we have used in the past (and cheaper) also no need to empty C/van
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We had our Elddis serviced and the Alde fluid changed by a mobile engineer on the first if July and both cost of £305 for both and no need to strip the van out and did it all at our home in 4 hours.
We thought excellent service and workmanship.
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Not long we had our van serviced at a cost if £150 by a mobile approved guy all OK but new tyres due next year this gives us both peace of mind as some years ago as a special constable I took part in spot checks on the local motorway service area and I was shocked by the state of some of the caravans ie cracked tyres non working caravan brakes etc. of course these had to be put right before they could continue so that £150 seems like a good investment to me
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This thread is nearly 3 years old. 