What when the wheels come off
On Friday I went to collect my caravan from annual service as we are going away this coming weekend with our grandchildren. I made the one and half hour trip up the motorway to the dealership that sold me the caravan in 2015 brand new. As I left the dealership I had gone 500 meters when the two nearside wheels on the caravan came off causing considerable damage to the nearside bodywork and the running gear. They came out and helped me get the vehicle off the road and back to their premises. They gave me a second hand vehicle to take away whilst they "deal" with my vehicle. However I can't get out of my mind the fact that this vehicle had been returned to me in an unsafe state. Had it been a few minutes later I would have been on the motorway travelling at a much faster speed and the outcome could of been much worse. I don't know what I do next as I am new to all this. I do know that if the police had been involved there could be prosecutions for the vehicle being unsafe. Can anyone give me any advice on what to do next?
Comments
-
We lost a nears side wheel on a brand new caravan on the M1 10 miles from picking it up from the dealer,the Highways Agency came to us but as they said "it happens"the dealer staff came out to us and we got another new caravan, as we refused to accept the damaged one,
Your Dealer was very slapdash to not have Re Torqued the wheel bolts in front of you when you collected the c/van as seems the norm now at most dealers,
I think if i was in your position i would insist the the c/van is inspected,by an indipendent engineer before and after they "deal"
0 -
I would not wish the supplying dealership to do the repairs. It is in their interest to do the job as cheaply as possible. Hence I would go through my insurers to ensure that any repairs were fully acceptable and let them recover the costs and my no claims from the dealer or his insurers making use of the legal insurance in the policy - which I always include.
1 -
Just a reminder that vehicle condition and safety is the responsibility of the driver at all times. Glad you weren't hurt.
0 -
That's true.....when I collect the van from servicing every year the mechanics take me through what they have done and also demonstrate using a torque spanner that the wheels are secured at the correct level.
i think I would be taking legal advice on this if I was the owner.
0 -
Firstly what do you want to happen? If it's the safety issue just telephone either the HSE or VOSA and have a chat with them. If its compensation talk to the CC legal team or go to a solicitor.
For all there faults my dealer always insists in torquing the wheel nuts with us witnessing before we leave the site, I believe that is good practice.
0 -
Once you have sorted this out, I would suggest that you have your caravan serviced at home next time. Half the cost, only takes a couple of hours, no long drives to dealers, no having to leave the van for days and your warranty will still be covered.
0 -
Having had safety issues with a dealership myself I brought in Health and Safety and if I had known at the time I would have tried the club legal team. So glad you weren't hurt or anyone else for that matter. it's really shocking that you can't trust even Caravan Council approved workshops. My issue was a gas one and it's quite scary that caravans don't come under ordinary gas safe regulations. I now use a mobile mechanic and he has saved me a ton of money and given me peace of mind.
0
