Caravan Servicing
We are new to caravanning. Got a brand new van 2 years ago, Swift Alpine 2. Didn't know it had to be serviced annually to keep the warranty and serviced by Swift approved dealers.
a) Is this correct?
b) Does this affect the selling price if book not stamped each year?
c) can we use Caravan Club approved dealers?
Comments
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Geof
Generally if not always, an annual service is required to maintain the warranty of a new caravan. Most commonly this is every year for at least three years. Usually you are able to have the caravan serviced between one month prior to the anniversary of purchase and one month beyond. However, for the third year service this MUST be done before the anniversary of purchase just in case anything needs to be done under warranty. Whilst I don't think it is a requirement of the warranty conditions it is always very advisable to have a damp test done at the same time. Many caravans including quite new ones can have water ingress which is far better stopped earlier rather than later, when usually it becomes a very expensive job to put right.
The service can be done by any approved NCC service engineer including mobile but sometimes, I have been told, if there is a warranty claim this has to be done through the supplying dealer. We use a mobile guy, Allan Wood of 'Six One Four' he is based in Nottingham and is excellent and a fair price.
If the service book isn't up to date I would expect the value to be reduced, perhaps considerably.
I suggest you get your 'van serviced at the earliest opportunity.
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We have a swift, bought new, and yes to keep the warranty valid, especially the 10 year water ingress, then it has to be serviced every year by an approved (NCC or club) service centre. Also there's a safety aspect to your service where they check for gas leaks, brakes, and hitch gear and other thing. You could ring swift and see if a service now will still keep the warranty in place?
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I think your warranty is now invalid as someone we know missed their service by a few months and were told they had no long got any manufactures warranty, I would strongly suggested you have it serviced regularly for your and other peoples safety
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Certainly the case with our Bailey. It clearly states the warranties both manufacturing and body shell integrity are dependant on an annual service being carried out, in line with the service plan for the van.
Just as an aside while checking this I noticed if you have bought a newish van, one that is still within the warranty period. You have to get Bailey to agree to the warranty transfer and pay them £35 admin.
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Geof can I suggest you contacy swift and tell them that being new to caravanning you were unaware of the situation and if true tell them you were not made aware of it at the time of purchase and then see if they will make an allowance It may also help if you can give them a usage guide to date
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SteveL ,re your last paragraph back in 2014 we bought a 2012 Bailey Orion . The dealer suggested i transferred the warranty , which I did , could well be the best £35 I've spent.Our van has just had it's service and they found a water ingress problem at the front.One phone call from them and Bailey have agreed to pick up the full tab for works done Happy Days
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I think like all manufacturers Swift will not be3 sympathetic and will not agree but it is worth a try before you have a problem. If they do not agree remember your rights at law and against any finance company and the dealer are far better than the guarantee anyway.
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Blinkin eck ! Wouldnt you think the dealers would send a reminder that the new caravan they had sold them was due its first service , to maintain the warranty? Its rather like having a car and im always getting a reminder when its due a service:/. (Or due you think unscrupulous dealers would play on peoples ignorance , and then refuse to supply warranty work because the customer hasnt had the van serviced? .... Or am i being too cynical ? ) cheers mrs bc
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I have never had a caravan serviced at a dealer, but I have never had a new caravan, once a year I get underneith and check everything, adjust the brakes, I even have one of those sprays your plumber uses when he services your boiler, I check all joints so I know everthing is in good condition and safe
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not insured either?