MOTs, Servicing and Hab Checks
I picked up on a thread on Motorhome Fun forum about someone fined for taking his MH 75 miles for a service & hab check. They fined both him and his passenger £200.
MOTs have not had an extension period granted this time round. Servicing and Hab checks are a bit more of a grey area although it seems when enquiries are made, a definitive answer is not given. The distance does make this rather questionable although it may be that there was nowhere nearer able/willing to undertake the work. It does, IMHO, seem somewhat harsh, akin to the "coffee in the park" incident. Taking leisure vehicles for these purposes do make them a bit of a sitting duck whilst white van man/ private drivers seem to be traversing the country with impunity. Is this fair?
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I've also read it elsewhere.
In my opinion the journey totalling 75 miles was not necessary. Repairs and MOT, yes but probably not for servicing and definitely not for hab servicing. No way can the passenger's trip be classed as essential.
On another forum I read of people taking their MHs out regularly to keep the wheels turning. They're not using them for essential shopping etc but effectively just joy riding. That is surely in breach of the rules.
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On another forum I read of people taking their MHs out regularly to keep the wheels turning. They're not using them for essential shopping etc but effectively just joy riding. That is surely in breach of the rules.
I didn't think that it was a breach in England? (few weeks since I looked for England rules. Here in Wales probably so
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Garages and auto centres are open for motor servicing but getting at a hab check? Our local MH dealers are all closed, where were they getting their habitation check?
3. My motorhome/caravan is due for a service in the next month or so - as I can't get to you for this to be carried out, will my warranty be affected?
We are contacting our manufacturing suppliers for an update to warranty terms, we are unable to confirm the situation with how they will be dealing with this issue at the moment. We are confident that in light of the current circumstances, all of our partners will be working closely with us to overcome this and should not affect your warranty with them. Please check our website and social media for regular updates on when we will be re-opening and then contact the branch service team direct to re-book your work4. I have my vehicle booked in to your workshop next week are you open still?
Unfortunately all branches are closed until further notice so we are unable to reschedule at this moment. Please keep an eye on the website & our social media channels for updates as to when we will be reopening for you to contact the branch service team direct to re-book. Rest assured that we will work hard to prepare vehicles for collection and servicing, giving our customers and vehicles awaiting delivery priority.5. We have a technical issue with our motorhome/caravan - can you help?
Our service centres are closed until further notice there is nothing we are able to do at this present time. We kindly ask that you report these issues via our Contact Us form and this will be sent to the relevant branch to deal with when we re-open our business0 -
Ours dealer is closed and our MH is booked in for both a motor and habitation service in a couple of weeks. I would have taken it though, it’s only about 12 miles and in the same county.
Whilst they might extend warranties, I wonder for how long. Once they reopen again there is going to be quite a backlog and it is never easy to get a booking in normal times.
The motor bit isn’t much of a problem, as once out of lockdown I can get it booked into a Fiat professional garage of which there are several to choose from within a reasonable distance. The hab bit is a bit more difficult as I’m fairly sure it has to be a Hymer dealer.0 -
Here you go. Plough through that. I couldn't see anything about using a motor vehicle solely to keep the oily bits turning.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home#when-you-can-leave-home
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-announces-national-lockdown
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Whilst not applicable to a MH in storage, I feel it makes sense to occasionally run our cars. We don’t use them for shopping, as that’s online and local, so drive the 5 miles or so to Clumber occasionally, rather than walk locally.
If we should need them in an emergency, I would prefer that they started.0 -
You're allowed to drive a reasonable distance to take exercise, Steve. I see no issue there.👍🏻
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I think you might be saying I was right, Easy.
It's the reason for the journey that matters, not the vehicle used, so 'spirit' doesn't come into it.
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I think you might be saying I was right, Easy.
I might have done if you had made any comment about my post prior to giving a link. My previous reply was to Steve's comment regarding giving cars a run
Previously there had been no restriction in distance travelled for exercise. So you were able to give a vehicle a long run.
Now it appears to hinge around 'reasonable' distance.
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I don’t think it’s a pandemic issue, it’s a more general issue around warranties, and getting that little stamp in the book. Owners shouldn’t be forced into using a dealer for servicing, most of the MOT, vehicle servicing can be undertaken be any competent local garage surely? The only criteria for garage we use to have ours serviced, is that it can actually get into the workshop and up on ramps given the height of the vehicle. Mobile services for habitation checks?
(What does a hab check actually consist of nowadays? I appreciate our MH is a good bit older than many, but unsure about this?)
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I read somewhere that if you were driving for a service or MOT during lockdown then police could ask you for proof of that service? That is some booking email (the garages I use always do that) or even a number for them to ring?
It could be an easy excuse to use otherwise, and why would a MH be out and about? Yes one could use it to get somewhere to take exercise or to go shopping but local is still the key word.
Personally I think the 75 miles from home cannot be stretched to being local.
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Good point re "in an emergency"
took OH's car to Halfords (approx 5 miles) to buy new rear wiper, nice young lady offered to fit for me and do a mini service, bit of a con job really, but she was only doing her job, and very well.
After doing a battery check she asked if car was starting ok, i said it was stuttering a little, but put that down to doing only short runs and battery not charging fully, "no" she said, "battery is knackered and has been on car since new", car is a 2007 Kia Carens 77k miles, "can i fit a new battery for you sir", of course, total cost of visit £140, but it could have cost me my head if OH had been out in it and it would not start AA breakdown or no AA breakdown
, and I like to think i kept a person in a job 
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We took our motorhome recently for a service, MOT and small repair (front light) the garage was busy with other vehicles needing the same. I think the Gov. realised earlier on that postponing MOTs could result in dangerous vehicle being on the road. A motorhome is a vehicle, some have to be taken to more specialist garages due to their size. I can't see a problem in having a roadworthy vehicle or having to find a suitable garage that will do the job. We travelled a few miles to get ours done some have to travel further. We use another place for a habiation check but that's not due yet.
We did stick out like a sore thumb as there aren't many M/Hs on the road but that's the way it goes just now.
PS I wasn't a passenger I was driving the back up vehicle to give the driver a lift home and back again.
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Our motorhome service & Hab check are booked in for May.
Last year it had to be delayed because of lockdown - but by having it booked in it meant we were well up the list when it came to booking in when the dealer re-opened. I am hoping the same thing will happen again this year, if necessary, as well as warrenty being extended.
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Unfortunately its all in the eye of the beholder as to right or wrong?
The laws and guidelines are not that clear and are subject to interpretation. Regarding essential travel for vehicle repairs or servicing. Without servicing vehicles can become unsafe and a threat to life. Some businesses are open and operating. I think a degree of common sense needs to be used by the police unless cautioned previously or people are acting unsafe. Some police are head strung on fine generation.. Vehicles need exercise just like humans or things seize or batteries fail. As long as there is no threat to life passing covid I believe its very harsh indeed.
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Flat batteries can be charged or replaced and seized mechanical items can be freed of repaired. Therefore, I maintain that a journey solely to give a vehicle a run is unnecessary. The sensible among us will use the vehicle only for a necessary journey.
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But the Govt rules do not allow for exceptions on financial grounds🙄.
It’s all about tackling and preventing the spread of disease, not saving a few quid.
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That old chestnut again. You could be involved in an accident driving to the shop, you could fall downstairs, you could get hit with a car or pushbike walking to the shop. All bringing you into contact with others. Do we all not move just in case? Every day I drive special needs children to school and back home, 3 of the 5 I take are attending. That means that twice a day I could be involved in an incident or accident. Never mind I will take my chances.
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Driving/walking to the shops would be an essential journey and that is the difference.
The rule is to stay at home unless you have to Ieave home for essential reasons. Take it up with your MP if you don't like it.
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As don’t like it I don’t care one way or the other. Just making the point that there is no harm Sitting in your tin box alone.
Do you honestly think 1 person taking anything up with their MP who by the way sits in one of the safest Tory seats in the country will make any difference, let alone get a reply.Could it not be classed as vehicle maintenance?
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. I believe some have done this and others are contemplating doing so. 