Consumer rights on rejecting motorhome

[finder40]

Hello,

We purchased an '04 plate motorhome from a dealership 4 months ago. We found the add on eBay and checked out the dealer, paid £500 deposit and drove to the other side of the UK to pick it up. When we got there we noticed water marks on the internal roof, we raised our concerns and the dealer did a damp check that showed 50%+ reading. He believed it was from jet washing the vehicle and told us to wait a few hours and he will reseal the sky light and stop the leak. We agreed and let him fix it. We had 3 months warranty and within that time we reported how severe the new leak is its dripping down walls, gone into the electrics and we have mould spores and rotten wood (see photos).

We have asked to reject the vehicle as its not feasible of financially efficient for us to drive over 300 miles to give him another attempt to fix it. We asked if we could take it locally to be inspected and have the work carried out locally. He refused and refused the rejection. We have contacted consumer helpline and they have advised we are covered by the consumer rights. BUT my question is has anyone else been down this route and what was the remedy. He is now saying its our fault for having the motorhome outside whilst its leaking (the leak he told us was fixed the day we purchased).

 

[Swifter]

Hello and welcome ? Is that a Swift Motorhome ?
You need do get that water ingress sorted asap . Thats been leaking for a long time . Where are you based ?

 

[Figaro]

Oh dear, that's awful.
I can't advise on consumer rights but I suspect you're going to have an uphill struggle to reject it
Good luck

 

[finder40]

Hello and thank you. No it's a bessacarr, we have had the dealer the day we bought it he said it was all fixed. We want to take it locally to be fixed but dealer refusing to cover the costs despite it being within 6 months so this is our concerns

 

[Swifter]

Hello and thank you. No it's a bessacarr, we have had the dealer the day we bought it he said it was all fixed. We want to take it locally to be fixed but dealer refusing to cover the costs despite it being within 6 months so this is our concerns

Yes Bessacarr is manufactured by Swift . I thought I recognised the wallpaper .
The cost of repair will be huge as it’s all labour time . Might be worth having a go at it yourself.

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[Figaro]

I could be just a failed seal on that roof light, but if it's a long standing leak you might have wet rot in the timbers which is a whole different ball game, and not an easy one to rectify.
There are very useful and informative threads on here where people have found similar and done diy repairs to good effect, but you need to be diy savvy

 

[finder40]

oh I see, yes sadly we think the cost is going to be ridiculous

 

[Spriddler]

Hello,

.........the dealer did a damp check that showed 50%+ reading. He believed it was from jet washing the vehicle

That doesn't look to me as if it is only due to the dealer's jet washing but has been developing longer than that, judging by the extent of it and the black mould in the panel joints.
There's a fair chance that the supporting framework behind the panels is soggy too.

 

[finder40]

I could be just a failed seal on that roof light, but if it's a long standing leak you might have wet rot in the timbers which is a whole different ball game, and not an easy one to rectify.

he told us it was a leaky roof light so he sealed it up, this is now our worry its much bigger than we was lead to believe

 

[finder40]

That doesn't look to me as if it is only due to the jet washing but has been developing longer than that, judging by the extent of it and the black mould in the panel joints.

our thoughts exactly he has said its new and caused by us storing it outside... its a motorhome!!

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[Swifter]

oh I see, yes sadly we think the cost is going to be ridiculous

The dealer has certainly been unscrupulous but try not to be too worried . Hope you can get this sorted out . Many of us have been through the same problems , I know how disappointing it is .

 

[Lenny HB]

If you were to take it back to the dealer I expect he will just bodge it. To get it fixed properly its going to cost thousands.
Looking at those photos the ceiling boards and wall boards are going to need stripping out to access the damage.

Probably best to engage a solicitor, one letter from them and the dealer will realise he can't fob you off.

 

[Swifter]

our thoughts exactly he has said its new and caused by us storing it outside... its a motorhome!!

How dare you store your Motorhome outside !
You have used up your 5 free posts so you need become a full member to post again . It’s well worth the money for the support you will get

 

[finder40]

How dare you store your Motorhome outside !
You have used up your 5 free posts so you need become a full member to post again . It’s well worth the money for the support you will get

thank you judging by the quick replies and knowledge in our situation this form is worthwhile. We are first time motorhome owners and sadly purchased in our 30's to make family memories due to my husbands cancer this has just destroyed our short term dreams. We don't feel it's safe for him to stay in due to mould. The dealers responses are insulting and threatening its becoming too much to deal with at the moment

 

[finder40]

If you were to take it back to the dealer I expect he will just bodge it. To get it fixed properly its going to cost thousands.
Looking at those photos the ceiling boards and wall boards are going to need stripping out to access the damage.

Probably best to engage a solicitor, one letter from them and the dealer will realise he can't fob you off.

yes he bodged it the first time round, but we believe this was his once chance to fix the problem which is why we want to take this further and not let him try fix it again. He said it has to be his garage as it was be a lot cheaper for him. Not for us as I can't drive it my husband has an illness limiting him driving it 300 miles at the moment and not to mention the cost and distrust already

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[Swifter]

Sorry to hear about your situation. I really hope some of us may be able to help . Where are you based? You did the right thing joining up here

 

[finder40]

Sorry to hear about your situation. I really hope some of us may be able to help . Where are you based? You did the right thing joining up here

Thank you, we are based in North Lincolnshire and the dealer is in Devon. We have bought a damp meter which is capped at 40% and it maxed out with an alarm. On the photos you can see it's not something that has happened recently but he is just adamant he will not cover any costs. I have It booked in locally for a habitat inspection etc but not until 11th jan sadly.

 

[GeoffnDee]

Do you have legal cover with any insurance or breakdown cover you may have , who may be able to help or advise you .

 

[Swifter]

I was hoping you might have been a bit closer so I could have had a look . It might not be as awful as you think so don’t give up on your dreams of making some amazing memories.

 

[finder40]

Do you have legal cover with any insurance or breakdown cover you may have , who may be able to help or advise you .

yes I think I will contact our home insurance tomorrow see if we can use the legal cover

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[finder40]

I was hoping you might have been a bit closer so I could have had a look . It might not be as awful as you think so don’t give up on your dreams of making some amazing memories.

thank you that's very kind, if we take it to court which we are most likely going to have to I am not sure how many independent inspections will need

 

[Swifter]

thank you that's very kind, if we take it to court which we are most likely going to have to I am not sure how many independent inspections will need

That’s going to take a long time . This could be a case of some replacement timber and a reseal of the skylight and have the van ready to enjoy for the next season .

 

[Lenny HB]

I have It booked in locally for a habitat inspection etc but not until 11th jan sadly.

I wouldn't waste your money on a hab check at the moment. If it ends up going to court (I don't think it will) you would need to get an engineers report which would much more meaningful.
A hab check will just tell you what you already know.

 

[Figaro]

When you next speak to the dealer in Devon tell him you are getting advice from the largest motorhome forum in the country and how awful it could be for his reputation if his responses to your predicament were to be un-helpful.
Without naming at the present time, are they motorhome dealers, or car dealer with a sideline of flogging a few motorhomes ?

 

[Spriddler]

Keep written notes of conversations (people, dates etc.) and be cautious about what details you give away in posts on here as many (most?) dealers view this website, even if they are not subscribers. However, nothing you have posted so far is likely to prejudice your situation. On the contrary, the suggestion of taking legal action won't do any harm.

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[Chris]

yes I think I will contact our home insurance tomorrow see if we can use the legal cover

If you have legal cover on your insurance then use it.

You can then take the dealer to task without risk to yourselves financially.

Good luck.

 

[Lenny HB]

Keep written notes of conversations (people, dates etc.) and be cautious about what details you give away in posts on here as many (most?) dealers view this website, even if they are not subscribers. However, nothing you have posted so far is likely to prejudice your situation.

Also record any telephone calls, plenty of apps to do it on your mobile.

 

[finder40]

When you next speak to the dealer in Devon tell him you are getting advice from the largest motorhome forum in the country and how awful it could be for his reputation if his responses to your predicament were to be un-helpful.
Without naming at the present time, are they motorhome dealers, or car dealer with a sideline of flogging a few motorhomes ?

they are purely motorhome dealers

 

[finder40]

Keep written notes of conversations (people, dates etc.) and be cautious about what details you give away in posts on here as many (most?) dealers view this website, even if they are not subscribers. However, nothing you have posted so far is likely to prejudice your situation and the hint of legal action won't do any harm.

thank you that is a very good point. I am not wanting to name and shame just look for some advice to help us novices

 

[Figaro]

they are purely motorhome dealers

Good, they have a reputation to protect