We are currently about to buy a 2018 Lunar Quasar van privately. When asking about the CRIS documents they have said oh no just realised it’s a 2017 model which they are shocked about. How would you proceed please?
Change of registration date
- Thread starter HelenHB
- Start date
If you are confident that it is a genuine mistake, and not a symptom of other things that they have not been honest about, I would have a discussion with them about the price. Do a bit of research as to the cost difference between a 2017 and 2018 vans ( eg look on autotrader and caravan finder, check out second hand dealers) and adjust your offer accordingly.
It could be a genuine error, it would be an easy one to make; but remember Buyer Beware.
Good Luck
Mel
It could be a genuine error, it would be an easy one to make; but remember Buyer Beware.
Good Luck
Mel
My last caravan was manufactured in November 2011, but it’s first registration /sale was April 2013 when its warranty started. So it was a 2012 model yet advertised as 2013 caravan. It’s not an uncommon complication. From September each year in normal times the next years models become available.
Go on condition, service history a small difference in dates is unlikely to make a great deal of price difference.
Go on condition, service history a small difference in dates is unlikely to make a great deal of price difference.
The seller is saying he bought it as a 2018 model from a dealership & didn’t realise until last night it was registered in January 2017.
The caravans VIN number will be present on the chassis, and usually near the door and etched onto the windows. There are several websites and videos about how to decipher the VIN code, and that will tell you when the caravan left the factory, as well as other identity information. It's important that ALL the VIN numbers are the same, and have no evidence of tampering. The only place where a different number may be excused is if a window has needed to be replaced and it was a second hand one, but be warey if more than one has been changed.
Remember if you buy a stolen caravan, you don't own it and you will loose your money and the caravan.
Remember if you buy a stolen caravan, you don't own it and you will loose your money and the caravan.
If the seller has all of the documents then among them will be the various build documents these will show the final works sign off date and things like electrical safety tests. So these will support the VIN details. It looks as if the seller may have been given inaccurate information by their seller, but this doesn’t mean the caravan may not be a sound purchase. Once you are satisfied on the vans credentials then start looking at recent service history. When was it serviced last and is the comprehensive damp survey less than six months old. If not a damp survey by AWS technician is essential, cost around £50-60.
Excellent advice by OC regarding servicing and damp checks. The damp check is essential especially on Lunar who no longer manufacture caravans.
If it was registered January 2017 it is likely to be a 2016 model. Certainly no way could it be a 2018 model.
Our caravan was registered in Oct 2017 but is a 2018 model therefore i think it is very possible it is a 2017 model. The manufacturing year for the following year starts in Sept. i.e. a 2017 model would start manufacture in Sept 2016 and when sold in Jan 2017 it is registered with the manufacturer at that point.
Caravans built after 1 September will carry the next years VIN number, so it could be built in 2017 but be a 2018 model. The tenth figure of the VIN number is the year and H would be 2017 and J 2018. There are a few differences in the caravans for those years, but I think the design of the symbol around the front window is the most obvious one, but that is probably irrelevant to most people.
The simple fact is that there is a second hand price difference between the years in the same way as on a car, so you should be paying less for a 2017 model. As you do not show the price agreed you will need to see if you can find another for sale and compare to see how the price asked stands up.
The simple fact is that there is a second hand price difference between the years in the same way as on a car, so you should be paying less for a 2017 model. As you do not show the price agreed you will need to see if you can find another for sale and compare to see how the price asked stands up.
It could be or more likely a 2017 model introduced from Autumn 2016 which was common practice. That is why I recommended to the OP that she could see if the build documents are in the caravan pack. That gives the completion date sign off, the definitive answer on model is to compare the respective specifications for MY 2016, 2017 and 2018. But at the end of the day of the caravan has been well looked after and has a recent report showing it is damp free it is splitting hairs and these days the sale prices of caravans are hard to discern. She could also check tyre manufacture dates as they may give an indication, and if over four years old ask the seller to reflect that new ones will be required in the agreed price.
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He offered our deposit back, we decided to walk away. Thanks all for your kind comments
Probably a wise move. If looking at other caravans check for service records to see if caravan has been serviced annually and check that a recent damp report is included preferably from Approved Workshop Scheme technician or have your own damp check done. Normally cost about £70 but is a good investment.
The 10th character of the VIN number gives the model year, "V" = 2017, "W" =2018 etc - caravan models years run from August the preceeding year to July of the model year
My latest Bailey bought new in November 2008 was described as the 2009 model but manufactured in September 2008 as proven by the gas and electricity signed compliance documents.
However Helen has walked away.
A wise move when buying privately especially if a few alarm bells are ringing.
But it does show how confusing build dates/Vin dates, Model year do and will differ.
Why is nothing simple with caravans?
Thanks to Helen for telling us all the final outcome👏👏
However Helen has walked away.
A wise move when buying privately especially if a few alarm bells are ringing.
But it does show how confusing build dates/Vin dates, Model year do and will differ.
Why is nothing simple with caravans?
Thanks to Helen for telling us all the final outcome👏👏
In this case it would have been a 2017 caravan and definitely not a 2018. It seems that the current seller was caught out by the dealership.
If it was manufactured in September 2008 it would definitely be a 2009 model. Model years are not calendar years, but start after the summer factory shutdown.
If there is a facelift on 1st January it would be described as a 2009½ model year.
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Thanks Lutz, fully agree, we knew just that in November 2008.
The OP said
the seller is saying he bought it as a 2018 model from a dealership & didn’t realise until last night it was registered in January 2017.
Clearly this Lunar could not possibly be a 2018 model based on the statements made by all on here. I wonder if the current seller has any recourse against the “errant” Dealer? Maybe Buckman’s Trading Standards will show an interest. As far as I am aware there is no statutory time limit on potential Criminal actions. Miss selling and mis description is an offence??
That said Helen still did the correct action , walking away when uncertain 👏
Dusty, Helen said in her first post
This could have been a genuine mistake, and as we now know, she has decided not to proceed.
This could have been a genuine mistake, and as we now know, she has decided not to proceed.
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