Buying a 2 year old Eldis- concerns
I am looking to buy a 2 year old Elddis caravan (as they have the layout I need) I have found the model I want and been talking to the dealer (not an approved Elddis retailer) but have warning bells and wondered if the more experienced on this forum can offer advice.
It has 1 year left manufacturers 3 year warranty - so I need the dealer to cover this warranty as he is selling it to me. He is not the Elddlis retailer it was purchased from when new, he says that the original Elddis dealer will cover it. I know that when you buy a van no other dealerships will cover warranty work (they will service vans) I have called many near me to check this and they all say the same they only do warranty work for the caravans they sell. I have said the responsibility for doing the warranty work is with the dealer I buy the caravan from now, I have challenged the dealer if any is warranty work needed in the next year is with you, not the original retailer I have no contract with them. Originally he sand it was only when I asked questions he talked about the original Eddis retailer and I should go there, he knows them it will be fine. He has not provided the name of the dealer either
I asked for dates of 2019 and 2020 service which were provided and the CRIS registration number. My worry is getting stuck with a caravan that was only occasionally used in 2018 then been on a dealer forecourt for 2019 might have issues that are undiscovered and need warranty work and then this dealer is not eligible to do it as he is not an approved Elddis retailer, he seems unclear about his responsibilities as the seller to me. Should I call Elddis and ask more about their warranty rules? have read them online and they state that only an approved retailer can order the parts. This dealer is NCC approved, so can service it and still be terms of the warranty.
There are no other caravans of this layout and year in my price range, but this is still an expensive purchase and I do not want to be scammed . Am I worrying about nothing (its only a year left on the 3 year warranty) or I am right to be nervous and should ask more questions or walk away?
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My experience says that appliances such as fridge/oven etc will be covered by the appliance manufacturer. My concern would be water ingress which can be covered by an insurance product.
I have no idea how much less the purchase is than from an Eldis dealership.
You say that the warranty is three years but for a second hand water ingress and body integrity is 6 years if the warranty is able to be transferred at a cost of £50. Eldis say that there are approved service centres that can carry the work out.
I would speak with Eldis and enquire about warranty transfer in this situation as without being able to transfer the warranty there is none and enquire for a list of approved service centres so that you van check them out with regard to warranty work.
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Thanks for the responsrs, helpful. The manufacturing warranty is 3 years from New registered date - so according to exodus website transfer possible for remaining 1 year. Water ingress New is 10 years but when you transfer as used inner drops to 6 years from registered date so 4 years left on that.
Compared to New 2019 models that are full warranty from elddis retailer there is a £4,000 difference. I have a swift from New it's had no issues at all. I know Elddis have had end panel issues . So I'm weighing up the risk of this van having undiscovered issues and my warning flag feelings about the dealer doing the work. Vs spending £4000 and getting the assurance all warranty cover from new.
I shall talk I Elddis.
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CC, Don't forget that the 2020 models will be released soon (may be slightly different this year due to lockdown)
The release of the new model usually results in dealers trying to get rid of any remaining 2019 vans at sale prices. If I was you, I would walk away from your prospective purchase even if that layout is not available in a 2019 model.Too many things could go wrong for a relatively small saving.
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I'm not a legal expert but I believe any warranty issues should be the responsibility of the retailer.This could only be for 6 months for a used van. He may or may not get recompense form Elddis. If the retailer isn't offering any warranty then walk away.
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thanks for all replies.
the 2019 editions are already reduced, this is the £4000 saving between this 2018 van and a new 2019 van with full warranty.
Elddis have finally responded to my email and have established that this dealer is not registered with Elddis and therefore not permitted by them to do warranty work. Therefore the dealer should state this and be selling without a warranty as the retailer I would be purchasing directly from and its not possible to transfer whats left of the warranty to him as he is NOT a registered dealer for Elddis.
This is a lesson in really checking what you purchase and doing your research first.
Thank you for all your responses.
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Swapping the warranty is something the new owner is able to do for a nominal fee. I can't recall what it was now. However, if you require warranty work, you will then have to seek out an Elddis dealer willing to take on warranty work. A quick enquiry to your nearest one whether they would be prepared to take on subsequent servicing and warranty work before committing to the purchase could clarify the position.
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According to the website the fee is £50 and Eldis approved service centres as well as dealers are authorised.
List of workshops - https://elddis.co.uk/help-support/service-centres
It is also possible to buy annual ingress insurance
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The Elddis dealers in south east will not do warranty work unless they have sold you the used caravan. Therefore I can only transfer the warranty (£50 fee) if the dealer I purchase from can do the warranty work- Elddis says they are not permitted to carry out warranty work as they are not approved by Elddis.
I have called every Eldiss dealership in 4 hours distance of my home this year and last year and verified in person at the caravan and motor home show; this still holds true. Including on this tread for clarity in case someone else buys an used Eldiss caravan near London and tries to transfer warranty.
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Having a now three year old van that has spent its time constantly having warranty work undertaken I’m glad I bought from a relatively local dealer. More dealers than ever appear to be refusing warranty and service work if you haven’t bought the van from them. Part of this is a number of dealers going bust so capacity is reduced. A large dealer near me went into administration recently and I understand their poor customers are having a nightmare getting anyone to do warranty work and sometimes service work. An aspect of why they went bust was the volume of warranty work paid at hugely reduced rates hence reluctance of others to take it on
My advice is buy within easy travel distance from an established dealer that is manufacturer authorised
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Thank you so much for the advice e much appreciated. It's only when things go wrong you see the value of the warranty... Reading replies makes me feel £4000 for 2019 model with full warranty from good local dealer with great service reviews is the best option.
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My advice is buy within easy travel distance from an established dealer that is manufacturer authorised
This is so important as even minor problems e.g squeaking brakes seem always to be met with the answer "Just bring it in Sir so we can have a look at it" and then you take it home only to return time and time again for the repairs.
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