Autotrail quality

willjones
willjones Forum Participant Posts: 1
edited November 2022 in Motorhomes #1

Can I ask if anyone else has encountered numerous issues and problems with an autotrail motorhome. Our problems began at collection when The steering wheel controls didn't work, the air con didn't funtion, the toilet wouldn't flush, The electric step switch fell off, the sat nav was faulty, and since then we have had a leaky roof window, gales blowing through the roof window when closed, all the window seals have lifted, the reversing camera is faulty, the dinette seat fell on The floor the first time it was lifted, the list is endless. Autotrail tell us  it's because they use 2500 components to make the vehicle  so problems are expected ??

Anyone else as enthusiastic as we are with autotrail!!

Comments

  • Vincevan
    Vincevan Forum Participant Posts: 51
    edited November 2022 #2

    Hi willjones

    Yes, we have an Auto Trail Imala purchased in 2018. We have 70% damp in the habitation area with a leak emanating from the roof over the kitchen ceiling lockers.  The internal wall coverings in the cupboard are hanging off and the resultant damp is more than obvious.  We put in a claim and have had to do this through Auto Trail themselves as the dealership we purchased from no longer exist.  We are more than concerned that as we have even had an inch of water in the mugs stored in the lockers, the fact that the plug and socket for the microwave are in the same area that this could cause even more problems had an inch of water in the mugs stored there.

    The problems were discovered in November 2021 during a habitation check and here we are nearly a year later with a claim number and no further progress in spite of requests.  We are now taking the matter further which we were reluctant to do in the hope that the matter would now have been dealt with and repairs carried out under warranty  but no such luck.  It is a joke that under the conditions of Auto Trail's warranty it says that if such problems occur that repairs should be carried out within six weeks.  So much for Auto Trail's warranty!!!

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited November 2022 #3
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,144 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2022 #4

    With all those problems on collection why didn’t you reject the van at the time

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383
    1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited November 2022 #5

    I had an Auto trail bought new in 2001. Kept it 10 years and never had a serious problem with it. In fact I don't recall much if anything going wrong with the accommodation area of it.

    peedee

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited November 2022 #6

    You don’t say how long you’ve had the MH or how old it is but you might still be able to reject it, WJ.

    Why not have a word with the club's legal team?

    Incidentally, why are you speaking to AutoTrail? This is the dealer's problem to sort out.

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited November 2022 #7

    We had the Autotrail Tribute 615.  Bought it new in Autumn 2016.  Owned it for 5 years before part ex'ing it for our current van.    Did not have one single problem with it. Brilliant van, only sold it cos we didn't want to fork out for a cambelt change and new tyres.

    Would not hesitate to have another Autotrail...........

  • GrahamS1
    GrahamS1 Club Member Posts: 20
    edited November 2022 #8

    I think that if you look for problems with any make of Motorhome you will find someone has a complaint. 

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
    1000 Comments
    edited November 2022 #9

    AT has a forum which might hold some more info on quality and how to resolve issues.

    as others have said, whichever brand you buy, your contract is with the supplying dealer, which may in turn require support from a manufacturer but its ultimately their responsibility to resolve.

    good luck.

  • QFour
    QFour Forum Participant Posts: 442
    edited December 2022 #10

    Its one of the only makes that has an Unhappy Autotrail Facebook page. A lot of people have quality issues and a large number have successfully rejected them.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited December 2022 #11

    Will we ever hear from willjones again? It would be good (and courteous) to hear of his progress. 😗

  • QFour
    QFour Forum Participant Posts: 442
    edited December 2022 #12

    In some cases all the Dealer wants to do is get you past the 30 day window when you can reject it. After that it's a different ball game and you have to give them the opertunity to repair it. With so many faults it sounds like yours didn't get a PDI which would have found some of them. As you are now past the 30 days you will have to let them repair it. If they can't then tell them you want to reject it. They are going to come up with alsorts of reasons why it's not possible. Just depends whether you want to keep it or not. They do suffer from many faults and it is not unknown to have damp issues.

  • QFour
    QFour Forum Participant Posts: 442
    edited December 2022 #13

    Your contract is with the Dealer you purchased it from in the first place. You will have to press Autotrail to get it fixed and then sell it before you get anymore problems otherwise everytime it rains you will be running round checking you don't have anymore leaks. Other Dealers don't like taking on customers who want warranty repairs as they don't get much for their workshop time. They have enough on their plate sorting out their own customers.

  • Vincevan
    Vincevan Forum Participant Posts: 51
    edited April 2023 #14

    Hi all

    Belated update on our damp problems.

    Two very firm letters written to Auto Trail (we had to go direct as our dealership had gone out of business) so our contract reverted back to the warranty provider, that is Auto Trail.  We finally got some action rather rapidly from Auto Trail and our motorhome has now been repaired by one of their approved workshops, who incidentally belong to the same major leisure group as Auto Trail. and most of the leisure vehicle brands marketed in the UK.

    We are now much happier bunnies. My advice to anyone having similar problems is to not let go until you achieve a result within your contractual rights even though it might feel like a very steep uphill struggle!!.