New van. Must I keep using the supplying dealer?

[Autoroute]

I bought a Weinsberg (Fiat Ducato PVC) last year which is under warranty.

I've gone back to the dealer with some snags which quickly became evident.
They are 100 miles away from home and I have learned that I dislike them and consider they are not worthy of my custom.

Must I go back to the supplying dealer for (1) warranty work and (2) the annual habitation (gas boiler) service or can I go to a Weinsberg dealer who is closer and hopefully run by professional people? Do I go to any Fiat dealer for the two year Fiat service?

I will talk to the new dealer to check however interested to read your comments.

 

[mikebeaches]

It can be difficult to get a different Weinsberg dealer to undertake warranty work - in the 'world of motorhomes', such repairs are usually seen as only the responsibility of the supplying dealer. Most likely because the contract rates paid by the manufacturer are significantly less than a busy dealership servicing department can charge for retail customers' work.

With regard to the Fiat servicing, any authorised agent can be used, much as in the 'world of cars'.

The position regarding routine servicing the habitation side of things is more nuanced. In principle, there is no issue using any authorised Weinsberg dealer during the duration of the warranty. However, if the habitation check unearths a fault covered by warranty, will they be prepared to undertake the work to fix it...?

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Warranty in first instance is with your supplying dealer.

Mechanical Service, habitation checks can be done by any competent person, but if a problem arises your Warranty provider may challenge if person was competent.

 

[Bessy765]

Likewise we have a 340 mile round trip to our dealership we bought the van from for the annual damp check. At the 5 year check the whole of the back panel of the van has to be replaced. Which they are currently doing and the service has been excellent. This could have been an issue if I had had the check done by another authorised dealer a bit closer to home. The Joe is expected to take a week to do so not cheap if not under warranty?

 

[KennyW]

When we bought our Autotrail PVC a few years ago there were a couple of things needing looked at, we're in NE Scotland and the dealer was Brownhills.... but Autotrail and Brownhills let us go to one of the locally approved workshops. Unfortunately one refused to do it as they said it wasn't worth their while financially but the other has been brilliant.