Habcheck on a Ford Autosleeper Duetto 2002

[JessieT]

Hi All,

New to all of this.

Just been told by the middleman between myself and the seller of a Duetto 2002 that habchecks are not really not necessary on this type of van and he has never heard of a habcheck being done on a "high top" .

I don't think this is correct, please can you tell me what you think about this.

Many thanks

JessieT

 

[Lenny HB]

I've never had a hab check done on any van as I'm capable of doing it myself. All they really tell you is that everthing is working a decent enginer will do a proper gas check but a lot don't.

 

[TheBig1]

Sorry but being told by a seller that they don't do hab checks on panel vans is worrying. Yes they do exist and although money for old rope to an experienced camper are good to put a new buyer's mind at rest that everything has been tested, works and no leaks.

I used to buy and sell vans and would happily do a hab check on any van sold. Download the appropriate test sheet and work through everything on there, ticking it off as you go. Most important are the damp tests and gas safety test, as these are often beyond the scope of an average buyer doing for themselves

 

[JessieT]

Many thanks, I realise many people have the skills to do this type of thing themselves but not me. I am new to this and definitively do not have the experience or know how to do these types of checks. I won't make the excuse that I am a 61 year old solo female as I have no doubt other ladies who fit that description are more than capable, sadly not me.

 

[JessieT]

Sorry but being told by a seller that they don't do hab checks on panel vans is worrying. Yes they do exist and although money for old rope to an experienced camper are good to put a new buyer's mind at rest that everything has been tested, works and no leaks.

I used to buy and sell vans and would happily do a hab check on any van sold. Download the appropriate test sheet and work through everything on there, ticking it off as you go. Most important are the damp tests and gas safety test, as these are often beyond the scope of an average buyer doing for themselves

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[JessieT]

Many thanks for your input on this and I agree with this. However the van is being sold by a middleman, i.e. the "Motorhome Depot" so basically a private sale and no hab checks done by the seller and this motorhome depot guy saying they are not necessary, etc. which was news to me. When I said I had been looking into getting a Habcheck done in the area the motorhome is in and mentioned he did advertise the "Habcheck" on his site ( as all motorhome depot do) he said he would not recommend them! And of course he reminded me that the seller would not get this done, i.e. pay for it to be done.

I am seeing red flags now

 

[Nanniemate]

Many thanks for your input on this and I agree with this. However the van is being sold by a middleman, i.e. the "Motorhome Depot" so basically a private sale and no hab checks done by the seller and this motorhome depot guy saying they are not necessary, etc. which was news to me. When I said I had been looking into getting a Habcheck done in the area the motorhome is in and mentioned he did advertise the "Habcheck" on his site ( as all motorhome depot do) he said he would not recommend them! And of course he reminded me that the seller would not get this done, i.e. pay for it to be done.

I am seeing red flags now

I'd be telling where to park the van
And it would hurt
I think they are taking advantage of your nievety

I posted earlier on your other thread that you seemed to have your heart set on the van

I'm not so sure now and doubts walk away there's plenty more out there

 

[Janine]

If you want an independent hab check done, there are a list of trained mobile engineers on this site:

MCEA Motorhome & Caravan service & repair to Find a member engineer

Find a MCEA mobile caravan or motor home Engineer to repair or warranty service including, gas , electric, toilet, brakes, damp, fridge, cookers, motor movers.

www.mobilecaravanengineers.co.uk

 

[BooBooKing]

I also think he is taking advantage of you. Generally people speak quite well of Motorhome Depot but unless you are practical, and many of us are not, do not buy a van without a habitation check. Keep looking. Remember even panel vans can have damp.

 

[Nanniemate]

I also think he is taking advantage of you. Generally people speak quite well of Motorhome Depot but unless you are practical, and many of us are not, do not buy a van without a habitation check. Keep looking. Remember even panel vans can have damp.

When disposing of my parents van
They said local guy would be happy to broker it .he was 15 miles away

Then I got a call saying they would like to display it on their forecourt 100 miles away where we live

Not even the same name I was given initially.

Needless to say I sold it without their 'help'

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[royandsharont]

JessieT As a bit of info my old 2012 coach built Motorhome had damp come in around a window where the seal had broken down, also I had it checked annually especially for the gas testing and to keep the warranty valid. If not in warranty I’d have just had the damp and gas checked I think?

I felt more relaxed when I changed to a new PVC but still need the annual service for a warranty but less worried about damp because it is a PVC, rightly or wrongly.

However my friends 2019 Autotrail PVC had some serious damp in the roof from a leaking roof light seal. They discovered it themselves with roof lining all damp & watermarked. So it can happen to all.

I also once met a U.K. camper in France in an old Hymer. He was singing the praises of fitting a portable gas alarm when he bought it because of its age. The alarm activated one day and he discovered his gas system was leaking. My old van had one fitted when new at a cost of £200 for piece of mind as a new camper and was pleased to hear this but didn’t get one in the new van.

So you make your own mind up but anything is possible to go wrong. I don’t think I would even consider buying any van which had not had checks done before buying it.

 

[JessieT]

Hi all,

Thank you all so much for all the advice and information you have shared with me, it has been a great help

JessieT

 

[Nanniemate]

Hi all,

Thank you all so much for all the advice and information you have shared with me, it has been a great help

JessieT

So are you having it or not don't leave us hanging