PDI checks

[MohoJo24]

Hi everyone. Apologies if this question has been asked before. Are motorhome dealers legally required to carry out a PDI check or can they tick a box to indicate that a PDI check has been carried out (by the manufacturer - in this case around a year prior to purchase)?

We bought a brand new Swift Kon Tiki in November 2024 from a dealer in Northern Ireland and brought it home to Scotland. En route home, the rear view monitor stopped working. Once home, we discovered the tracker wasn't working either which meant that our insurance policy was null and void. It has sat unusable on our driveway for two months. Communication with the dealer was poor to negligible, so we have spent a lot of time and stress, taking up the case ourselves directly with Swift and Sargent.

Sargent have been fantastic and we have been sent and fitted a replacement tracker. They also identified that a software update is needed to enable us to use WiFi, connect remotely with Swift Command, etc. Finally she goes in on Monday to a repair centre in Scotland, to hopefully have these issues sorted out but this has been a great disappointment and uphill battle.

When asking Swift about PDI checks and that it would appear these haven't been carried out by the dealer, there is silence.

To say that our purchase of a £100k+ motorhome has been a disappointment would be an understatement. Time will tell.

I feel that it is shocking, people seem to accept that there are "Friday afternoon vehicles" and to anticipate that there may well be teething problems with motorhomes. There shouldn't be.

I know that people have had problems with European made vehicles also but in hindsight and from research, not so much. Regretting our decision to buy and support a British company.

 

[meanders]

The difficulty is that the PDI is supposed to be carried out by the dealer, and there is no doubt some things get missed or indeed are difficult to spot. The real issue is the QC at the factory. Having had new Eldiss, Bessacarr (Swift) and the the Euramobil, all have developed some problems despite two of those coming from really well regarded dealers.

Your list faults seem quite minor, and I can't see why any of those would put the van out of action for two months. A rear view camera is a nice to have. Our first two vans did not have one. I just used the mirrors. Having a tracker fault also really shouldn't matter if you are using the van. The likelihood of it being stolen while you are using it would be remote. It's when it parked up unattended for days or weeks on end it becomes a target. Ditto with WiFi. It may be there are other more serious problems you haven't mentioned, but if that is the list, I would say you have been very lucky. Even on the Euramobil I had to have the rear picture window removed and reseated properly.. We did not notice until we went to use the blind and it jammed on one side. Of course these are all standard parts. The habitation door was a nightmare and was not properly fixed until we took it back to the factory despite the best efforts of the dealer. It turned out the door frame had not been fitted correctly and that it had twisted the door, but it wasn't possible for the dealer or is to see that.

I still think the general build quality of the Euramobil was much better than the two British vans, but it was far from perfect.

 

[Lenny HB]

No legal obligation for a PDI.
You seem very upset over a couple of very minor faults.

 

[grasscutter]

Sorry to hear your problems.
It does highlight the problem of buying from a dealer a long way from home.

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

I think a key difference between the Motorhome and car market is that there seems to be no obligation nor appetite for warranty repairs to be carried out other than by the supplying dealer. As a fellow Scot, looking at Motorhome prices, I see considerable price and availability differences between Scottish dealerships and those elsewhere, so I can understand why you bought from a remote dealership. Potential savings in excess of £3k are common, but the possibility of hassles with warranty issues could easily write most of that out however.
I’m also realising that QC and minor defects are unfortunately commonplace with new motorhomes, especially it would seem with British builds.
Hope you get on the road to enjoy your purchase.

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[Neil S]

Why buy from a dealership in N. Ireland when you live in Scotland

 

[MohoJo24]

Hi guys. Thanks to those of you who have taken the time to post helpful and constructive feedback. It is much appreciated. Having spent many months researching motorhomes, we narrowed it down to one Kon Tiki model for size, layout and spec to suit our needs. There were none available to purchase in Scotland and we were time limited so we made the call to fly over to Ireland on an afternoon and be home by evening. The alternative was a 10 hour round trip to Derby. Our insurance company made it very clear that the tracker must be operational at all times (yes, including when it is being used), otherwise the vehicle is not covered by the policy. Hence the lack of use as it has taken two months for Swift to take the case on and find a repair centre in Scotland who are able and willing to do the work. Minor issues indeed, however, the headache has been in the protracted experience in getting to this stage. However, hopefully all will be good come next week and we can begin our new adventures in motorhoming .

 

[nicholsong]

No legal obligation for a PDI.
You seem very upset over a couple of very minor faults.

Whilst there is no legal obligation I would expect a manufacturer to specify it in their dcontract with the dealer, including items to be insoected(if fitted)

 

[pappajohn]

No legal obligation for a PDI.
You seem very upset over a couple of very minor faults.

For a £100,000+ van id be furious.

 

[Lenny HB]

For a £100,000+ van id be furious.

My van was quite a bit over £100k still a few minor faults, just have accept it with Motorhomes.

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[Bramidan]

A bit over £100,000 but the purchaser is expected to put up with minor faults?
Why are we expected to put up with it because it’s a motorhome?
Would people expect the same from a brand new TV or similar?
When I had faults in my new motorhome when we purchased it in 2022 my son explained to me I was expecting too much, if thats the modern way, just shrug your shoulders, no wonder we are being treated like idiots.
Rant over but it does burn my ar.e

 

[KevinTuplin]

There are some dealers who add the cost of a PDI onto the purchase price of the motorhome. And I know that it happens as I have the bill of sale for 2 Motorhomes stating this and showing the amount charged.

 

[Barriesimpson]

No legal obligation for a PDI.

There certainly is in Spain, and it needs to be registered on the manufacturers system by the dealer.

 

[chippie]

I have been told of one uk manufacturer of motorhomes that gives the dealers 72hrs from delivery from the factory to do a PDI and report back any faults, after that the factory does not want to know and it's the dealers issue...hence the reluctance for the dealers to find any faults before you drive off the forecourt.

 

[maison]

The question of repairs and warranty work can be a minefield.

However, Swift allow “Approved Workshops” to carry out warranty work so it should not be necessary to worry about returning the motorhome to Ireland or finding a Swift dealer locally who will do it.

We have been motorhoming for 30+ years and had several caravans and motorhomes. Most of our remedial work has been carried out by “Approved Workshops”.

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[Bramidan]

The question of repairs and warranty work can be a minefield.

However, Swift allow “Approved Workshops” to carry out warranty work so it should not be necessary to worry about returning the motorhome to Ireland or finding a Swift dealer locally who will do it.

We have been motorhoming for 30+ years and had several caravans and motorhomes. Most of our remedial work has been carried out by “Approved Workshops”.

Why should the question of repairs and warranty be a minefield?
You paid near £100,000 and it’s a minefield, I despair.
Where has it all gone wrong?
Christ, I’m old.

 

[maison]

Why should the question of repairs and warranty be a minefield?
You paid near £100,000 and it’s a minefield, I despair.
Where has it all gone wrong?
Christ, I’m old.

You must mistake me for someone else.

I didn’t pay anything like £100,000 for my motorhome.

If you want to know why it “can be a minefield” re-read the OP.

 

[Bramidan]

I think you have misunderstood my post for which I apologise.
The “you” was you plural not “you” singular.
I note why it is a minefield my question is why, if we pay so much, albeit under £100,000, are we expected to just accept this.
Apologies for the italics, fat fingers.

 

[oldiesontour]

A new home doesn't have to have wheels to be of poor quality...ask people that have /fighting builders/NHBC etc

 

[Simon Select]

If Swift pay £50 an hour for warranty work but said dealer charges £100 an hour normally why would they take it on to lose money?
There are 3 Swift Motorhome dealers listed in Scotland who could have ordered one for you.
Could it be that the Camera and the Tracker just failed? It can happen. Could it be a faulty Sergeant unit? Lenny HB was right, it’s minor.
I once had a customer that moaned that their oven cut out after 2 hours. (Unless I roasted a joint of beef in their new van I wouldn’t have a clue)
I have had a customer that moaned once that he sat on his toilet and the toilet sunk into the floor after a few months. (He was over 22 stone)
I have another customer who drove away and his Hartal door mechanism snapped even though it was fine as it left us.
Things happen! When you buy a new house, there are problems. Equally when you buy a house that isn’t a new build, there will be problems because it isn’t new!
Why not go over to Ireland and make a weekend of it?
Also dealers will take on customers at their own discretion, be nice, be reasonable and the local dealer that missed out on the profit because they didn’t sell you a van, that will lose money on warranty work and is ultimately taking on another dealers problem may take pity and help!

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[Barriesimpson]

If Swift pay £50 an hour for warranty work but said dealer charges £100 an hour normally why would they take it on to lose money?
There are 3 Swift Motorhome dealers listed in Scotland who could have ordered one for you.
Could it be that the Camera and the Tracker just failed? It can happen. Could it be a faulty Sergeant unit? Lenny HB was right, it’s minor.
I once had a customer that moaned that their oven cut out after 2 hours. (Unless I roasted a joint of beef in their new van I wouldn’t have a clue)
I have had a customer that moaned once that he sat on his toilet and the toilet sunk into the floor after a few months. (He was over 22 stone)
I have another customer who drove away and his Hartal door mechanism snapped even though it was fine as it left us.
Things happen! When you buy a new house, there are problems. Equally when you buy a house that isn’t a new build, there will be problems because it isn’t new!
Why not go over to Ireland and make a weekend of it?
Also dealers will take on customers at their own discretion, be nice, be reasonable and the local dealer that missed out on the profit because they didn’t sell you a van, that will lose money on warranty work and is ultimately taking on another dealers problem may take pity and help!

The warranty labour payment will always be less than the shop's normal charge, but is not necessarily half price. There is also no profit on the parts. However, a workshop that shows empathy to a new customer will probably win that customer as a future customer for work needed out of the warranty period and that is the key to winning new customers for any business.

 

[Simon Select]

The warranty labour payment will always be less than the shop's normal charge, but is not necessarily half price. There is also no profit on the parts. However, a workshop that shows empathy to a new customer will probably win that customer as a future customer for work needed out of the warranty period and that is the key to winning new customers for any business.

You are preaching to the converted, I am one of the few dealers that will take on warranty work for that reason. However the OP didn’t support the local dealer. It’s 6 to one on this one!

 

[Barriesimpson]

You are preaching to the converted, I am one of the few dealers that will take on warranty work for that reason. However the OP didn’t support the local dealer. It’s 6 to one on this one!

Ok, sorry for preaching, you are one of the few and I congratulate you. I wish you had a shop in Gran Canaria....

 

[MohoJo24]

The question of repairs and warranty work can be a minefield.

However, Swift allow “Approved Workshops” to carry out warranty work so it should not be necessary to worry about returning the motorhome to Ireland or finding a Swift dealer locally who will do it.

We have been motorhoming for 30+ years and had several caravans and motorhomes. Most of our remedial work has been carried out by “Approved Workshops”.

If Swift pay £50 an hour for warranty work but said dealer charges £100 an hour normally why would they take it on to lose money?
There are 3 Swift Motorhome dealers listed in Scotland who could have ordered one for you.
Could it be that the Camera and the Tracker just failed? It can happen. Could it be a faulty Sergeant unit? Lenny HB was right, it’s minor.
I once had a customer that moaned that their oven cut out after 2 hours. (Unless I roasted a joint of beef in their new van I wouldn’t have a clue)
I have had a customer that moaned once that he sat on his toilet and the toilet sunk into the floor after a few months. (He was over 22 stone)
I have another customer who drove away and his Hartal door mechanism snapped even though it was fine as it left us.
Things happen! When you buy a new house, there are problems. Equally when you buy a house that isn’t a new build, there will be problems because it isn’t new!
Why not go over to Ireland and make a weekend of it?
Also dealers will take on customers at their own discretion, be nice, be reasonable and the local dealer that missed out on the profit because they didn’t sell you a van, that will lose money on warranty work and is ultimately taking on another dealers problem may take pity and help!

I have no doubt that a 2025 model could have been ordered at a Scottish Dealership Simon but it would have cost £10k more. Besides, we prefer the 2024 model. A return trip to Ireland would amount to £500 in ferry travel. I believe Swift contacted Scottish dealers who were 'unable' to take the work on. I think the main point here is that if we just roll over and accept (as one early post suggested) that when you purchase a new motorhome, there may well be faults, nothing will change or improve. Shoddy workmanship, poor customer service or substandard quality control. Whatever the reason for these issues that so many people are clearly experiencing, are not acceptable, whether you pay £60k or £160k +/- of your hard earned savings.

 

[meanders]

I think the main point here is that if we just roll over and accept (as one early post suggested) that when you purchase a new motorhome, there may well be faults, nothing will change or improve.

But it's really not as simple as that. Motorhomes are very complex things and by necessity are built down to a price. Accepting that the factory QC isn't all it should be, the cost of rectifying that with more checks is going to push up the price, not reduce it. So all of a sudden, the £50k becomes £60 or £70k or more.

Perhaps you know better, but the only way I know to ensure things are going to be close to 100% reliable on delivery is to do what they did when I worked on military grade electronics. Every component was manually bench checked for compliance with extremely tight physical and electrical specification and tolerances. You would be astounded how many hi-stab 1% resistors from top manufacturers failed! Every sub assembly was tested before and after encapsulation. Each sub assembly was then assembled into a functional unit that was then tested including soak, shock, vibration and various radiation checks. Only then were they put into the final build that was then again tested under various test regimes and guess what, we still had failures of that final test. Even then the finished items still failed in the field on occasion. The cost of all those tests was massive and they still failed to deliver a 100% reliable item yet were far more rigorous and controlled than anything you would see in a domestic setting! Each of those functionally did much, much less than all that the average motorhome does. I can't compare costs because I neither knew the pricing of motorhomes at the time, nor yet what the company were charging for the final build but cannot believe for one second that bench testing every tracker, wifi module, rear view camera, monitor, control unit, heater/boiler, habitation door and frame, oven, hob, fridge (on three supply types), etc. etc etc before fitting would ultimately bring down the construction price for the builder, nor yet deliver 100% reliable motorhomes and I would expect to see the price probably double. I have had seven or eight brand new cars over the years from a number of manufacturers. Not one of them was delivered without faults or was 100% reliable. I had a boss that bought a brand new Bentley Mulsanne in the early 90's and had lots of niggles.

I am sorry if you think I am making excuses for poor workmanship, but I am not sure your expectations of perfection will be met however much you spend.

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