Value of dealer Vs manufacturers warranty

[the_leader]

Hello fun people, I'm new here, but about to make the leap into motorhome ownership.

We've found what we think is the right motorhome for us and have put a holding deposit down on it. We saw it when were looking at layouts and just working out what we think would suit us, but are planning to go back and take a proper look at the weekend. It's a Swift Escape 695.

However.... I've been digging into the warranty and it seems like it's just missed it's 12 month service (including the 2 month leeway swift seem to give). So it'd mean buying a 14 month old vehicle without the reassurance of a manufacturers warranty. It will come with a dealers warranty for 12 months.

I've seen plenty of horror stories about damp even in fairly new motorhomes, which is scary. But I've seen just as many saying that the swift warranty isn't worth much anyway....

So... Long winded I suppose, but is it just obvious that we should just walk away, or is there a sensible level of risk for the right motorhome?

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Lenny HB]

I wouldn't be worried about the general warranty but if it's not had its damp checks I would walk.
Swift's are renowned for damp problems and if not under warranty can cost thousands to fix.

 

[Blue Knight]

A big welcome for starters.

With the Swift reputation as it is (Very poor) I would walk away and find something that ticks all of the appropriate warranties and checks etc.

All the best,

Andrew

 

[DaveandJen]

If you will not get the full Swift manufacturers warranty - walk away from it 100%.

 

[138go]

You have to ask yourself why is someone getting rid of it so quickly and why they didn't bother having the very important habitation and damp check. As it's not been done then any problems will not be covered by Swift. They are certainly not the best built MHs so I would have another look around. What you will find is that the Uk built MHs have all the bells and whistles to tempt you whereas the foreign versions are better built and don't have the microwave and full sized cooker.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[hilldweller]

So it'd mean buying a 14 month old vehicle without the reassurance of a manufacturers warranty. It will come with a dealers warranty for 12 months.

You NEED that Swift warranty because it lasts much longer than 12 months. Tell them you'll buy if they get it re-instated - IN WRITING.

But anyway, is this not a wood free MH ?

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Do yourself the biggest favour you ever will.......walk away from this one...........unless it is SOOOOOO cheap it doesnt matter

 

[the_leader]

Thanks everyone for the input. I've written to them and said we'll only buy it if the warranty is valid, by whatever means.

I think it has been with the dealer as it got to its first anniversary, which would explain why the previous owner didn't do the service. I don't think there is anything amiss really, but it doesn't change the fact that I want the warranty!

I do also appreciate the view that Swift don't have the best reputation, but we haven't found anything else that has a layout we like as much. There are a couple of things which come close (Benimar and Auto-Trail), but we think the Swift would work better.

Hmmmm.

 

[Minxy]

I wouldn't buy a coachbuilt without the manufacturer's water ingress warranty in place, even with the best built ones it is still possible for them to leak after a few years. If the mistake is the dealers and they can get Swift to confirm they are able to reinstate it then get it in writing and proceed, otherwise walk, there will be others.

 

[the_leader]

I wouldn't buy a coachbuilt without the manufacturer's water ingress warranty in place, even with the best built ones it is still possible for them to leak after a few years. If the mistake is the dealers and they can get Swift to confirm they are able to reinstate it then get it in writing and proceed, otherwise walk, there will be others.

This is exactly where I am. And I've just heard back from the dealer that they've booked an approved workshop to complete the service next week and that it will be within the one year and 60 days time limit from the purchase date.... Which is a result.

We obviously still need to go over the whole thing in detail, but if we can agree a good price then we might be back on...

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Just a point, i assume you want the bunk layout for kids and I note you are 40 in your profile

If you don't have C1 ( in fact even if you do have) , have you asked for it to be weighed ??

That us ACTUALLY weighed, not a brochure,MIRO, dealer opinion

 

[the_leader]

Just a point, i assume you want the bunk layout for kids and I note you are 40 in your profile

If you don't have C1 ( in fact even if you do have) , have you asked for it to be weighed ??

That us ACTUALLY weighed, not a brochure,MIRO, dealer opinion

I shouldn't have written that.....it sounds old when someone else says it!

I do have C1 - in fact it's quite scary what I'm allowed to drive....

But your point is a good one, I think the 'official' figures aren't too bad (575kg from memory), but it's something to think about. I'll add it to the list!

 

[Cheshirecat57]

No offence on age
Forget the 575kg, it needs weighing

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

This is exactly where I am. And I've just heard back from the dealer that they've booked an approved workshop to complete the service next week and that it will be within the one year and 60 days time limit from the purchase date.... Which is a result.

We obviously still need to go over the whole thing in detail, but if we can agree a good price then we might be back on...

It won't be a balance of 10 years ,I think on transfer it's just the remainder of 6 years so best to check first..

 

[Lenny HB]

If it is just the two of you probably just about workable on payload if the van came out of the factory not too much overweight.
If you have kids you need to be looking at vans with 800kg+ payloads preferably over a 1000 kg.