Avondale's Joke Warranty.

[spj]

We bought a new Avondale Argente 550/4 in September 2004, after the first service was done at 11 months I was told the front and rear panels were cracking, the van was booked in and they were replaced a few weeks later. The current repair/bodge from Avondale is to fill the cracks, but we were lucky as ours were replaced completely. The second service has just been done at 22 months with the oven refitted by the dealer as the screws kept falling out, not ideal for a gas appliance. They also informed me that the tyres are cracking but as the van is used all year round and not parked with the tyres in sunlight I can only put this down to the fact that Avondale have fitted cheap'n'nasty budget tyres [maxmiler] as lasting only 22 months is disgusting.

The front cushions are also sagging so I e-mailed Avondale about them and the tyres but they were not interested, just saying these items are only covered for one year. We bought an Avondale as we thought they were a quality product but they are not, even our dealer [Reads of Leeds] have dropped Avondale because of quality issues although they have been excellent with us. Japanese car makers put 3 year warranties on their cars long before the others and Hyundai now have a 5 year warranty, this to me shows the companys faith in it's own products, it's a shame Avondale can only guarrantee most of a caravan for 1 year.

Are most caravan makers the same or do some give a full 3 year warranty?

Simon.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello SPJ

In law Avondale do not have to offer you (the end user) any warranty at all. Under the Supply of goods and services Act (Formally known as the sale of Goods act), it is the seller/trader/retailer that has a legal obligation to you, and it is not restricted to a simple 12 months.

The seller is obliged to supply goods fit for purpose, and if they are not fit for purpose, you have recourse under the act. The definition of fit for purpose is not entirely clear as you have to allow for reasonable wear and tear, though a fridge falling out, and soggy cusins after only 18 months does not sound right. The front and rear panels were clearly defective.

The seller must deal with these issues, and if necessary must counter claim against Avondale. You should not have to have any contact with Avondale in these matters, and the outcome of your claim against the dealer should not be affected in any way by the outcome of the dealers claim against Avondale.

Check out the Department of Trade and Industries web site, which outlines the act, and how it affects you.

http://www.dti.gov.uk/consumers/fact-sheets/page24702.html
If you used a finance house, then they are technically the seller, and you may have some success tackling them over the issue of sub-standard goods.

 

[Pelyma1]

The panels are only covered for the first year too. My parents found this out with their Osprey, lovley van but very bad service back up from Avondale and the dealer in Kimberley