Faults on motorhome cannot get the dealer to rectify

[chaser]

We bought a new Bailey Autograph august 20.Continental leisure Llanilli.We live 4 hours away.Loads of things wrong.Good job other half is good at fixing things.They wanted us to take it back & leave it for 3 months before they went in it due to Covid.I got in touch with bailey who advised to get jobs done under warranty at a local Bailey dealer.Nobody would fit us in.I rung 3 dealers who wil only deal with past customers.So guess what I’ve bitten the bullet and we are going to Llanilli in nov.They Will have a look & we will have to take it back when parts in.Which she said could take up to 6 months due to not getting hold of parts from bailey.She said she even had to drive to Bristol herself the other day to pick up parts (oh dear)

That's rediculas, if the parts are there to be picked up why can't they fetch anything.

 

[Ian Bosman]

Bought a new Pilote motorhome from SMC Newark just at the beginning of the last lock down and couldn't use it until may and found a lot of faults and issues with it after contacting SMC on a few occasions have just been fobbed off.
The motorhome was brand new with a two year warranty.
On two occasions i have had to rectify the faults myself the most severe being the electrics were constantly tripping out which when traced led to a connection that had been wrongly wired with the earth and neutral crossed i would have thought that a full electrical test would have been carried out prior to delivery.
Due to the amount of issues I am now finding I have lost all faith in SMC and Pilote.
Does anyone know what course of action I may be able to take to get these problem sorted.

Trading Standards? Or are you too late?

 

[bazbaldy]

Bought a new Pilote motorhome from SMC Newark just at the beginning of the last lock down and couldn't use it until may and found a lot of faults and issues with it after contacting SMC on a few occasions have just been fobbed off.
The motorhome was brand new with a two year warranty.
On two occasions i have had to rectify the faults myself the most severe being the electrics were constantly tripping out which when traced led to a connection that had been wrongly wired with the earth and neutral crossed i would have thought that a full electrical test would have been carried out prior to delivery.
Due to the amount of issues I am now finding I have lost all faith in SMC and Pilote.
Does anyone know what course of action I may be able to take to get these problem sorted.

I spoke to Alister as we are looking for a new van he said phone him he will sort , I’ve always found Smc to be excellent.I have his mobile number if you need

 

[Plumb]

The earth should never we swapped with live or neutral.
Live and neutral swapped on a contental van would not be considered a problem as all contental supplies are double switched and they don't differentrate between live & neutral.

Does that mean a double pole switch? For isolation of live/ neutral or does each have a separate fuse if a fault occurs? Very strange !

 

[Plumb]

I do have some sympathy for the dealers as they don’t actually build this crapppp , and they are inundated with warranty issues. But on the other hand the dealers are choosing to sell the stuff and making a profit on the junk ,particularly at this time so they are responsible to put things right! The dealers when an issue does arise seem to take things personally and think the customer is out of order for raising the issue

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[138go]

This just proves how important a good dealer is. We’ve previously had a big problem with a dealer, which was resolved after we threatened them with the small claims court.

We now use Southdowns in Portsmouth and they are excellent.

 

[gus-lopez]

Does that mean a double pole switch? For isolation of live/ neutral or does each have a separate fuse if a fault occurs? Very strange !

Yes. All european stuff has double pole switches . same as in houses.

 

[Ian Bosman]

Does that mean a double pole switch? For isolation of live/ neutral or does each have a separate fuse if a fault occurs? Very strange !

European practice is to use double pole switching thus totally isolating electrically anything attached. UK practice only switches the live brown wire so remember that the blue neutral is still “live"

 

[Lenny HB]

Does that mean a double pole switch? For isolation of live/ neutral or does each have a separate fuse if a fault occurs? Very strange !

They use radial circuits wtth a double pole MCB feeding them, most sockets are unswitched or if switched they use a double pole switch.

Quite a few UK manufacturers 13amp sockets are double pole switched, Mem, Volex, Contactum etc.

My Motorhomehas a double pole MCB and unswitched sockets.

 

[Plumb]

European practice is to use double pole switching thus totally isolating electrically anything attached. UK practice only switches the live brown wire so remember that the blue neutral is still “live"

That’s ok if switching off supply manually to isolate, but what happens when a fault occurs do both live and neutral have trips so they isolate the supply to both live and neutral?

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[Plumb]

They use radial circuits wtth a double pole MCB feeding them, most sockets are unswitched or if switched they use a double pole switch.

Quite a few UK manufacturers 13amp sockets are double pole switched, Mem, Volex, Contactum etc.

My Motorhomehas a double pole MCB and unswitched sockets.

Sorry Lenny our posts crossed now I understand! Because reversed polarity can kill !

 

[Lenny HB]

Our van has standard German sockets it doesn't matter which way they are wired as you can put the plug in either way round.

 

[Plumb]

Our van has standard German sockets it doesn't matter which way they are wired as you can put the plug in either way round.

Not sure what that means ? Put the plug in either way a 3 pin plug can only fit one way, can’t it ?

 

[Landy Andy]

Not sure what that means ? Put the plug in either way a 3 pin plug can only fit one way, can’t it ?

The key to Lenny’s post, is that “German sockets“ comment. So being Euro plugs they are just two pin/hole setup. So plug can go in either way. As it doesn’t matter which was electricity flows.

 

[Sapper520]

We love our van, picked up new September 2020.

Snag list was far too long for a new van as far as I’m concerned. Getting it back to the dealers for any work was impossible. Yes, delays due to COVID, but even when they were open they couldn’t fit us in. We had our first Hab check done locally as the dealer we purchased off couldn’t fit us in in time to comply with Sunlights warranty terms.

Finally came to an agreement with the dealer, he sends me all the parts and I fit them or get them fitted at my expense……before anyone says, ‘That’s not right / fair’, I know but having waited more than 12 months for some parts I just want to get things done and enjoy our van.……which we are doing.

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[Plumb]

Ok my van is German but has traditional uk 3 pin sockets! Hence the confusion thanks

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Sapper520
At least you know the faults have been rectified correctly when done by yourself

 

[gpat]

Ok my van is German but has traditional uk 3 pin sockets! Hence the confusion thanks

Lenny imports his vans from Germany so they are German spec

 

[Plumb]

We love our van, picked up new September 2020.

Snag list was far too long for a new van as far as I’m concerned. Getting it back to the dealers for any work was impossible. Yes, delays due to COVID, but even when they were open they couldn’t fit us in. We had our first Hab check done locally as the dealer we purchased off couldn’t fit us in in time to comply with Sunlights warranty terms.

Finally came to an agreement with the dealer, he sends me all the parts and I fit them or get them fitted at my expense……before anyone says, ‘That’s not right / fair’, I know but having waited more than 12 months for some parts I just want to get things done and enjoy our van.……which we are doing.

Yes when I was away in the van my water pump gave up , so I contacted my supplying dealer under warranty and they sent me a replacement upgraded pump which I fitted myself on the campsite, it needed a few alterations but had enough tools etc to manage it .My biggest gripe is the fact other dealers won’t touch my van because it wasn’t purchased from them it’s ridiculous.

 

[Lenny HB]

Lenny imports his vans from Germany so they are German spec

Almost right, Belgium actually.

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[Yorick]

I do have some sympathy for the dealers as they don’t actually build this crapppp , and they are inundated with warranty issues. But on the other hand the dealers are choosing to sell the stuff and making a profit on the junk ,particularly at this time so they are responsible to put things right! The dealers when an issue does arise seem to take things personally and think the customer is out of order for raising the issue

But it makes sure the dealer checks the vehicle properly when they buy it, before passing it on.

 

[CarlandMandy]

TC Motorhomes in Herne Bay, Kent. My experience was first rate. I am not sure how much second hand stock they have, I was down there a few months back for a service and Hab check and they only had a few second hand MH's in stock. They are a main dealer for Chausson. If a decent trade in lands they market it on their forecourt. I simply cannot believe how many problems new MH's seem to have. I am so glad my nearly new MH has been a good one.... A little tip, Les Bateman Motors in Southend are a decent little find for running repairs and general maintenance and MOT's. Bit old school but do a decent job and trustworthy.

Thank you Mike (& sorry to OP for pinching your thread). Funnily enough we went to TC to check out Chaussons a couple of months ago and they were lovely, limited vans in as you say, but happy for us to tyre kick and offer us advice. I will keep a note of Les Bateman Motors - much appreciated.

 

[Mike N]

Thank you Mike (& sorry to OP for pinching your thread). Funnily enough we went to TC to check out Chaussons a couple of months ago and they were lovely, limited vans in as you say, but happy for us to tyre kick and offer us advice. I will keep a note of Les Bateman Motors - much appreciated.

Good luck with your hunt for a MH, having gone through the same process and learnt a lot in nearly two years of ownership please feel free to pick my brains and for what it is worth I will give you my thoughts... all the best.

 

[Wyvern]

Possibly a little off topic but there are some good manufacturers out there. We have bought a very well equipped and therefore complex Moho from RP Motorhomes.

We have had one item go wrong which was a door close mechanism which was sorted immediately. Great product supported by great service.

 

[bobnick]

I am begginging to wonder if i might regret selling a perfectly good Autotrail (did i really say that).
The pleasures, trials and tribulations of owning brand new will befall us from Jan.

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[Gunn1707]

We had similar problems with South Hereford Motorhome and Caravan Centre in Ross on Wye where we bought a brand new Autotrail. We found a few faults and bits missing inside so they arranged for us to drive the 200mile round trip to get it sorted. After 4 hours with their workshop we were told the missing bits are Autotrails fault, the tap they fixed we noticed was still dripping and a wobbly step still wobbling. The technician then lost his temper reduced my wife to tears and refused to do anymore work on it!
We complained to the owner who refused to help and we were told to get it fixed elsewhere!!
Shocking service and attitude from a company like most of them who seem to take your money and run!!
Luckily Autotrail have stepped in and sent me the parts and suggested anything further on the warranty to find my nearest dealer who will fix it.

 

[Plumb]

We had similar problems with South Hereford Motorhome and Caravan Centre in Ross on Wye where we bought a brand new Autotrail. We found a few faults and bits missing inside so they arranged for us to drive the 200mile round trip to get it sorted. After 4 hours with their workshop we were told the missing bits are Autotrails fault, the tap they fixed we noticed was still dripping and a wobbly step still wobbling. The technician then lost his temper reduced my wife to tears and refused to do anymore work on it!
We complained to the owner who refused to help and we were told to get it fixed elsewhere!!
Shocking service and attitude from a company like most of them who seem to take your money and run!!
Luckily Autotrail have stepped in and sent me the parts and suggested anything further on the warranty to find my nearest dealer who will fix it.

Wow these morons seem some pheasant pluckers let’s hope they get their comeuppance! Good luck going forward hope all works out well for you.

 

[Platelet]

We love our van, picked up new September 2020.

Snag list was far too long for a new van as far as I’m concerned. Getting it back to the dealers for any work was impossible. Yes, delays due to COVID, but even when they were open they couldn’t fit us in. We had our first Hab check done locally as the dealer we purchased off couldn’t fit us in in time to comply with Sunlights warranty terms.

Finally came to an agreement with the dealer, he sends me all the parts and I fit them or get them fitted at my expense……before anyone says, ‘That’s not right / fair’, I know but having waited more than 12 months for some parts I just want to get things done and enjoy our van.……which we are doing.

The issue with that is your warranty is now null and void?

 

[Sapper520]

The issue with that is your warranty is now null and void?

Nope. Got it on an email, the dealer agreeing to the terms. Any jobs I can’t do I’ll take to our nearest Sunlight Dealer in Ilminster, Somerset……downside is they will charge me labour.

Sunlight are pretty strict as you must have an annual Hab check (hardly a service!) done by a Sunlight Dealership.

 

[Nigel P]

Nope. Got it on an email, the dealer agreeing to the terms. Any jobs I can’t do I’ll take to our nearest Sunlight Dealer in Ilminster, Somerset……downside is they will charge me labour.

Sunlight are pretty strict as you must have an annual Hab check (hardly a service!) done by a Sunlight Dealership.

Many of the routine 'must be serviced by.......' type of agreements relating typically to main dealers/franchises etc were outlawed in the Competition Act 1998. To apply such a specific restriction requires obtaining an exemption and has to show it is not anti-competition and has some tangible consumer benefit.

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