Does "NCC Approved" Mean Anything To You?

[seasideBill]

If I can’t be arsed to wait for an Adria dealer to undertake warranty work, I am under the impression that I can get it done at another NCC accredited organisation without invalidating the manufactures warranty. Am I deluded?

 

[Kannon Fodda]

My van has the sticker on it prominently by the door on the fake wood panelling that would be damaged by any attempt to remove it. It's now irrelevant with the number of changes I've made to the van.

It's not as if it's any guarantee of quality or even the van being of a certain standard.

 

[Deadloss]

No, yes, no.

 

[Brains]

Answers:
No:
Yes:
No:

Yes; I think you should mention them in your buyers guide, as you want it to be as complete as possible.
(Salesman's patter: "Oh it's so good it's NCC approved, look it even has the sticker! ...." )

You also need to say exactly whom the NCC benefit, which is not the buyer.

 

[beachwomble]

Very aware since the dealer lied to me saying that distance buying wouldn't be an issue for me as any NCC Approved workshop would take care of any warranty issues or habitation checks. Turned out that the van is not NCC Approved and any work will now involve a 500 miles round trip.
None of the Hymer Group brands (except Elddis) are part of the NCC Approved scheme (rather archaic 60 years old standards according to the Hymer sales chap at the NEC) but that doesn't stop them meeting all European standards. Incidentally, on the Coachman stand, Affinity vans were not present due to them failing on a couple of points during the NCC audit.

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[Pausim]

If I can’t be arsed to wait for an Adria dealer to undertake warranty work, I am under the impression that I can get it done at another NCC accredited organisation without invalidating the manufactures warranty. Am I deluded?

I wouldn’t rely on it. Many dealers seem reluctant to do any warranty work unless they sold the van.

 

[Deadloss]

proof of a manufacturer's commitment to the safety of its products and its customers.

Just because it’s safe, doesn’t mean it’s actually any good!

 

[Pausim]

None of the Hymer Group brands are part of the NCC Approved scheme

The Elddis ones are on the NCC list under Erwin Hymer Group.

https://www.thencc.org.uk/media/uajblgdv/2024-approved-motorcaravans-and-camper-vans.pdf

 

[dunnah01]

They exist because of the subscriptions from those dealers and manufacturers. So I doubt they will want to use any kind of lever against them.

There's your entry in the guide then. Their response could be a bit problematic though

 

[Jo-jo]

I'd never heard of them until I saw the sticker on our van. The salesman never gave it a mention. I'm still not much wiser as to their role and relationship to our van

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[zac]

Rapido do not recognise them as an approved outfit for any of their repairs / work. They will only work with who they approve.

 

[VXman]

If I can’t be arsed to wait for an Adria dealer to undertake warranty work, I am under the impression that I can get it done at another NCC accredited organisation without invalidating the manufactures warranty. Am I deluded?

I'd say yes. It will depend on the individual dealer but most say you have to go to a dealer of theirs to get servicing and warranty work done.

 

[donkey]

My question would be, who funds the NCC?
You can learn a lot about just how independent their endorsements are, by who is putting into the pot.

Geoff

 

[Lenny HB]

An organisation set up and funded by manufacturers and dears for their own benifit, they couldn't care less about the purchaser/end user of their products.

I've brought 4 new van none NCC approved I'm pleased to say.

 

[Scotsblood]

Yes, I know the organisation exists.
Yes, I would buy without.
No, not something I feel is important as they are very good at looking after the interests of their members and little else.
The obviously biased battery “endorsement” scheme tells me what sort or organisational values they have and they don’t align with what I value as a consumer.

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[peterc10]

I

• Does this badge mean anything to you?
• Would you buy a van that is not NCC approved?
• Is this badge something you look for when buying?

• Yes. It represents a trade association that does not put their members client's first.
• Yes, and I did.
• No, in fact it would put me off.

 

[sedge]

My question would be, who funds the NCC?
You can learn a lot about just how independent their endorsements are, by who is putting into the pot.

Geoff

I presume, their members' subscriptions. I've been aware of them since the mid 1980s when my first husband and I were looking to buy our first caravan - or possibly before that fairly often visiting camping shops eg Jacksons of Old Arley when we were tent camping.

With second husband, we've bought two brand new motor homes, first a Bessacar then 3 years later P/Xd that for a new Pilote in 2013, that we had until my birthday this April when Reggie & Ronnie Soul stole the thing off our drive, apparently disappeared with no trace so had to invest in another one, again another Pilote but this time S/H. The Bessie was presumably NCC approved being UK made by Swift but have never even considered NCC again and doubt if it crossed either of our minds when we bought the first one either until 10 minutes ago when I checked that list and Oh look - not a Pilote to be seen.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Their meaningless and industry biased incorrect endorsement of certain leisure batteries was enough for me. Worthless bunch.

I remember reading about that!

 

[carolyn]

I didn’t know it was anything to do with dealers.
I thought it was to do with workshops. We would look for a workshop with it in the first instance plus check reviews and word of mouth from people we know.

Must admit we didn’t know it was useless.

Would be very interested to know Jim views on it.

Was interested to read jockaneezer post about the 12v cutting out when the engine starts. Our lovely new Consort Oslo does that. It’s fine except if you stop for a wee and forget as the pump’s off too! Never had that in our IHs. UK vans.

 

[BrochMike]

If there was any doubt about their priorities, here's the Consumer FAQ page from their website

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[Wildbill]

The only approval required is the wife’s approval
WB

 

[Lee Fryer]

No
Yes
No

 

[Pappy]

When I was buying EHU cables I checked that they were NCC approved.

 

[Pausim]

When I was buying EHU cables I checked that they were NCC approved.

If their cable approval scheme is anything like their battery approval scheme I would be inclined to look for one without their approval.

 

[Spriddler]

Just because it’s safe, doesn’t mean it’s actually any good!

Like a gun without a firing pin.

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[peterc10]

When I was buying EHU cables I checked that they were NCC approved.

Now that's what I call thread merge

 

[DABurleigh]

Yes, yes, no.

It's a trade body. On the plus side, trade bodies can be useful to businesses in facilitating communication within the trade and to represent them in dealings with Government, etc. For consumers of the trade, you can regard them as a sort of Union for businesses in that area and which can act as a club for them, particularly in terms of creative promotion and marketing when they pitch themselves as an 'authority' which should be listened to and obeyed in order to support 'jobs for their boys'. Formally, they have no authority or sanction whatsoever.

As an example, if anyone can show me the explicit UK law which compels private owners of LPG bottles for their own use to discard them at the 10 year point or somehow get them re-approved in a defined way, I'll make a donation to charity.

Dave

 

[Bramidan]

I’ve noticed the badge on my motorhome when I’ve cleaned it.
It meant nothing to me and I’ve only learnt what it is from this thread.
The vehicle was purchased new, as I had no idea what it was it would not influence me in any way.