A little advice please!

[alex n]

Hi, Just looking for a little advice as complete newbies. Went to see 2010 motorhome today - £45,000 from local dealership. We asked about habitation certificate and warranty and were told you get a PDI check and 6 months warranty. Is this standard? What is difference between PDI and Habitation cert? Would be really grateful for your thoughts.

Thanks
Alex

 

[chaser]

Can't really add much to what others have said, but I would like to know where it's been with only a thousand miles a year in the last three years, also back to my old ways I would say it's a he'll of a lot of money for a 7 year old van for your first one, I would be looking at less than half that.

 

[denisejoe]

Say who is the dealer some are better than others

 

[tofo]

Great feedback - thankyou all. certainly making us think in ways we hadnt considered, got a bit over-excited I think. Nothing like the voices of experience to reign you in - every thought helps. It IS our life savings and long-term dream so must try to get it right! Keep thinking though that this particular make/model feels so right for us but are few and far between. Sooo confused.
Alex & Diane

All the time YOUR money is in your hand
YOUR IN CONTROL

When the money changes hands
They are in control

vehicle check web site link below

Two different checks via dvla

https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/

Mot check

https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

great advice from everyone. We too think at that price a hab check should be granted. Also when we bought our first mh it had a low mileage but the foam and seat coverings were quite worn. As we're the work surfaces.
We had joined fun and facts , the day before we bought it .
We knew the layout we wanted and the ci mizar gtl living , top class, 2006 fitted our bill. We kept going back to look . Couldn't find anything to suit us better. We never even thought back then that people lived in motorhomes , but recon now we know they do , they did !
The mh served us well with the three kids and 2 dogs in tow. Once reupholstered it looked the part. We got it right first time, though we'd had several caravans , so knew what suited us.
Sold it 6 years later with only a 5/6k loss on the original purchase price.

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[Mr B]

For your consideration

<Broken link removed>

 

[alex n]

We have taken on board all your thoughts and decided to visit few more Dealerships in area (Dicksons of Perth, Scots and Perthshire Caravans) but have not seen anything which ticks all the boxes like this Rapido (which we're pretty sure layout is ideal for us having had caravans in the past). The dealership is Knowepark in Livingstone and local to us. Have trawled internet and only found one other same year and model with this layout which is asking the same price and that's in Portsmouth!!! There were some other cracking m/h's out there for the money, but just not feeling it.

Thanks for all your input which we will definitely use - invaluable!

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

When your used to a top quality caravan you find a lot of tinny plasticky flimsy motorhomes out there , that are the same quality interior as entry level caravans.
We felt like we were taking a step back when looking inside lots we went to view, back in 2008.
It takes a lot of getting your head around the price they are asking and you will no doubt see some old smelly sheds , even at the dealers. We found that going for an older non British model meant a much more solid better built interior.
In fact we bought a 2006 model , which was 3 years old at the time.
For not much more cash we could have bought the brand new model. It looked so much more modern on the outside metallic gold and cream , with lovely modern fabric leather interior. But they'd totally changed the layout ( which no longer suited us ) and gone all plastic and light weight inside. The hinges were flimsy , even the lighting and sockets though they looked the part were not as good quality. Nor was the fridge and cooker.
Don't be put off going for an older model you may even find you prefer the layout and build quality. The money you save buying it could be used to totally reupholster the interior. Doing it to your exact requirements.
We recommend Regal Furnishings we used them for our latest van.

 

[WhiteCheyenneMan]

great advice from everyone. We too think at that price a hab check should be granted. Also when we bought our first mh it had a low mileage but the foam and seat coverings were quite worn. As we're the work surfaces.
We had joined fun and facts , the day before we bought it .
We knew the layout we wanted and the ci mizar gtl living , top class, 2006 fitted our bill. We kept going back to look . Couldn't find anything to suit us better. We never even thought back then that people lived in motorhomes , but recon now we know they do , they did !
The mh served us well with the three kids and 2 dogs in tow. Once reupholstered it looked the part. We got it right first time, though we'd had several caravans , so knew what suited us.
Sold it 6 years later with only a 5/6k loss on the original purchase price.

I count your caravans as layouts that you tried before you found the right layout with your MH

 

[alex n]

Thats uncanny, youve just read our minds -exactly how we feel about it! Cost aside (which making us really nervous) we were trying to factor in the cost of reupholstering as havent got a clue what that might be and dont want to overstretch ourselves as got a feeling could be pricey. Without being cheeky, have you a guestimate at what we may be looking at for new leather upholstery? We have boxer dog (verrry slavery) who loves to run his chops up and down the furniture! Really would make a difference to our final decision. So want this van and thats our only 'if only....' (apart from the price!).

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[Ralph-n-Bev]

I count your caravans as layouts that you tried before you found the right layout with your MH

Yes we had a few caravans before our first motor home . I recon getting the layout that suits first time is a rarity with motorhomes , but having caravans previously really helps with the decision. The only thing is , it also spoils you if you've had good ones . As like I said lots of expensive motor homes are kitted out like entry level caravans .
The price of reupholstering depends on leather quality , if your using the same foam or replacing and what your actually replacing . Upholsterers renew curtains bed heads bumper bars carpets etc too. But if you contacted them they'd estimate a price for you .

 

[alex n]

Ive been on their site since your last post - got me all excited and more certain of our choice of van. Very helpful - thanku.

 

[alex n]

Have came back down to earth with a bump this morning. Spoke with Dealer who say Hab cert only usually given on 'younger' m/h's, not worth paper it's written on and that their Warranty covers same thing (a copy of which we can view at their premises but not take away!). We asked for it anyway, but just kept repeating themselves without agreeing. Not very accommodating! Making us suspicious. Wish we'd connected with you all before initially speaking with them - our naivity must have shone through like a beacon. Thing is, we want this m/h!!! Do you think we should be paying for an independent Hab check?

 

[Minxy]

Something's not right ...

If they won't give you a copy of the warranty info then how on earth can you actually know what's covered in the event of a claim? You may desparately want this MH but you could be getting yourself into a whole heap of heartache if it isn't has any issues.

You are letting your heart rule your head so try to think of it as if you were advising someone else who wanted to buy it and weigh up the pros and cons for them in practical terms, not 'emotional' terms.

 

[WhiteCheyenneMan]

Mel's right, something is not right! Having looked at this MH on Knowepark's site, they only offered two external photos to view online. That always puts me off!! It's not on the list today which may make the decision for you and, if they had another buyer showing a lot of interest, that would explain their intransigence. Swallow hard and walk away. Once the summer is over and the big 2018 shows start, used MH's start to flood the market and by the new year there will be loads out there. We found ours just before Christmas and that can be a lean time for dealers and so a good time for buyers to negotiate.

We found an A Class Rapido online a few years ago and the more that I looked at it and thought about it, the more I wanted it. We decided to take a look on our way back from a holiday and phoned the dealer to confirm our visit the following week. "We'll get it ready for you" they said. Soo excited. The day before we phoned again to confirm out ETA.............. Sold Three months later we went for something completely different

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[Gellyneck]

Know you don't want to hear this but, along with others, walk away!
Hab check is not just for newer vehicles. You've requested it as part of the purchase process to ascertain the condition and they're reticent to provide.
Warranty documentation has been requested so you can satisfy yourself that it meets your requirements, they've refused.
You are right to be suspicious.
We visited this dealer a couple of years ago when we were in the market for our current motorhome and whilst they were OK for talking to they weren't that overly helpful. Not bad but we didn't just click. As John says keep your eye on the marketplace and there'll be another one along shortly.
Best of luck in your search and don't let this disappointment (if that's what it turns out to be!) put you off.
What's for you won't go past you, as the saying goes!

 

[jdk62]

Given the van is 7 years old - check if it still has the original tyres . If so, get the dealer to replace as part of the deal.

Whilst not a lot of mileage on them, they do deteriorate

 

[pyro]

If anyone is refusing to give you a copy of the warranty and then denying the value of a hab check, just run away as fast as you can.

If they're being uncooperative now, just imagine how cooperative they will be if you have a fault

Seriously, that's a lot of money, the attitude of the seller (who is selling in a private capacity, and not that of a dealer) is unacceptable and he is hiding things from you.

 

[Spriddler]

If 'he' or a mate did the PDI I'd be very circumspect. Anyone can do a PDI. He may have just checked the oil and water, switched the lights on and kicked the tyres. I doubt it was done by an independent and specialist garage. You need to see a copy of what was done and by whom and should have had a recent MOT, but even they can be valueless. Frankly it all sounds like a potential nightmare and I'd go elsewhere.

 

[chaser]

In my opinion, which is often poo pooed on here, if this is your first van and you really want to get started, I would go for a far cheaper van maybe less than half what you are looking at, get out and about , see if it is what you want and try a few things without worrying about damaging it or anything, and if you buy at the right price it won't lose you much when you come to trade it in or sell private, then take your time till you see the perfect , for you van, you never know you may grow to love your old one.

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[alex n]

Feeling so deflated but cant tell you how much your advice has helped! Many thanks. My head agrees with you all, but my heart thinks might just be able to work it out. HOWEVER, not at any cost. Thinking of simplifying the whole thing and insisting on Hab Cert, PDI and 1 yrs warranty and if unwilling to agree - walk away. Fair??? Judging by the responses we've had here feel shouldn't be too much to ask given amount involved and if they've nothing to hide!

 

[alex n]

oh, and most importantly - Damp check!

 

[TerryL]

On the face of it fair. But you've already been refused these things; doesn't bode well for them being done properly. Sorry, I'd still just walk away, unless you can get them to agree to a fully independant check before you part with any cash.

 

[Gellyneck]

Knowepark have their own internal servicing \ repair department and as such would do the hab check (which would include damp).
Given their attitude so far would you be comfortable this would be done \ reported properly?
As mentioned earlier it seems to have disappeared from their website?

 

[Langtoftlad]

This would worry me:
http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews229969.html

As @chaser suggests a van at half your budget maybe a little older, a little more tired and higher mileage but,
you'll have the funds to renovate & refurbish if you need to.

I'm also getting the feeling that despite everything being said on here - you're still tempted .

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[chaser]

Pieces of paper in the motor home business or not worth the paper they are written on in a lot of cases, ok now but what happens when you want to sell it.

 

[Rob and Val]

Spoke with Dealer who say Hab cert only usually given on 'younger' m/h's

Question: Which motorhome is more likely to have damp problems, an older MH or a younger one? Sounds like this dealer will say anything to try to sell a vehicle but could be difficult to deal with if you have problems once you have paid for it.

 

[chaser]

Just been looking at reviews of this place, if you are buying the van off the old man himself , I would be very wary, as even though the company gets favourable reviews the old man certainly doesn't

 

[Minxy]

I agree with @chaser ... look for something much cheaper to ensure that you like the 'lifestyle' as not everyone takes to it, it will also allow you to find out what things you really want/need and what you don't which will help you make a future purchase if you choose to do so.

Some people do go all out and spend a LOT on their first MH but many soon change it and lose a large chunk of money in the process. We've had quite a few MHs/campers and what we got first was okay but not in the end what we really wanted/needed but we bought wisely and it let us learn the ropes and we then sold it on at a profit and got something more suitable.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE think very long and hard about what you are doing ... if the dealer is playing silly b*ggars now you can be sure once he has your money he won't give you the time of day ... if you want heartache from aggro in the future then go ahead and buy it but IMV you would be extremely unwise to do so.

The advice you've been given is sound and given by many with a lot of experience in these sort of things ... whether you choose to take heed is up to you ... no-one likes to say "I told you so" and try to pick up the pieces if you buy a 'problem' but I fear you are heading that way.

 

[wingman]

Hi Alex & Diane

I've been reading all of the posts since you asked the question. Immediately when I read the salesman's response about the habitation check, warning bells sounded and I felt uneasy for you both.

If you were buying a car and the salesman said, "No need for a service history, we've PDI'd it" you'd be concerned and wouldn't buy it because without the service history, you wouldn't have a clue as to the car's antecedence.

The bulk of faults with Motorhomes (even new ones) lay in the habitation area; damp being the # 1 worry. There are so many other things that can be faulty. Gas, fridges, pipework leaks, flooring probs, lighting probs..... the list is endless.

Most dealerships are happy to provide the hab checks because it's a good selling point. This one however seems to be avoiding something that a check would highlight.

I really feel for you. I can feel your enthusiasm through your posts.

Picture the scene; you arrive on-site on your first trip, you're grinning from ear to ear. You chat to fellow motorhomers, give them a tour of your pride & joy. You have a daffy of paperwork, including the history of the van, certificates etc. Ok, so you paid a bit, but you're happy and can't wait till the next run out.

Contrast this with having arguments over work that needs doing and perhaps a serious problem with the van. You would be soooo disappointed, £45k poorer AND you would then have the problem of selling on.

Without a hab check Alex, you are virtually buying the van 'as seen'.

Don't be crest-fallen, just rejoice that you are forewarned.

Good luck
James.

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[Xabia]

Buy in haste - repent at leisure!

Very sensible advice has been given in this thread, please follow it and don't let your heart rule your head.