Cracked ABS panel

[Bill.D]

Hi all, there have been many posts in the past on the subject of cracks in ABS panels. I wonder if anyone had any success in claiming compensation outside warranty.
The reason for asking is that I had my 7 year old Swift serviced recently and they found cracks in the rear ABS panel with signs of damp in he interior. The dealer contacted Swift who apparently were not interested.
They said a new panel was required at a price of £7000!
This is an entirely unrealistic proposition as this sum is the bulk of its current value.
I feel really let down on this as it leaves me with a van with no real resale value, straight sale or part exchange and for no fault of mine, not misused, not accidental damage. This is a straight forward problem of quality, either of the panel or fitting at production. Do I have any come back in law?
Bill D.

 

[Hutch]

BILL d, not sure about the warrannty stuff. But there is a company Northern England that do ABS repairs, that are supposedly very good, I will research the name.
Hutch.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi all, there have been many posts in the past on the subject of cracks in ABS panels. I wonder if anyone had any success in claiming compensation outside warranty.
The reason for asking is that I had my 7 year old Swift serviced recently and they found cracks in the rear ABS panel with signs of damp in he interior. The dealer contacted Swift who apparently were not interested.
They said a new panel was required at a price of £7000!
This is an entirely unrealistic proposition as this sum is the bulk of its current value.
I feel really let down on this as it leaves me with a van with no real resale value, straight sale or part exchange and for no fault of mine, not misused, not accidental damage. This is a straight forward problem of quality, either of the panel or fitting at production. Do I have any come back in law?
Bill D.

Hello Bill

I'm sorry to read of the crack in your panel.

Unless you have a specific warranty from the manufacturer that covers products of your age, then you are out of time;

Manufacturers warranty are usually very specific about how long they will last, It is a contract and as such it is finite. The only other form of come back is through you statutory rights which in your case would be the Sale of Goods Act , but again your rights under SoGA are limited to a maximum of 6 years from the date of purchase.

So sadly I don't think you have any recourse to a remedy.

 

[Martin_E]

A lot car body repair centres would be able to weld the panel.

 

[NigelHutson]

BILL d, not sure about the warrannty stuff. But there is a company Northern England that do ABS repairs, that are supposedly very good, I will research the name.
Hutch.

Are you thinking of Panelworks at Bawtry near Doncaster, Hutch? If so, their contact details are: -

Tel. 0844 800 6574 or email info@panelworks.co.uk

Nigel.

 

[Dustydog]

Bill
Try one these guys near to you
http://www.neilthecaravanmedic.co.uk/plasticcaravanrepair.aspx

£7000 quote tells ne the dealer is not interested.
Good luck. Also many motor cycle fairing repair shops can do a fix for you

 

[Raywood]

Not sure if it would be cheaper but Caravan Panels at Preston may be able to help. I am afraid that there is no legal route against Swift and no make is known for being generous in these circumstances.

 

[Bill.D]

Well having got over shock of 7000 quid, I decided to get something sorted.
Spoke to a guy I know who has 25 years in the fibreglass/plastics business.
Without hesitation he said I can repair that, no problem.
Got it done today and it looks very neat, cracks drilled to stop spreading (hopefully)
He is confident that it will last as long as the ABS, all for the princely sum of £30, I was so relieved I gave him 50!
Now got a heater and dehumidifier on the job.
I realise that I cannot be certain what is going on behind the interior walls but everything feels solid apart from a very small patch at the bottom under the bed, hopefully this will now dry out.
Got a damp meter winging its way, may not be a top range model but I can at least get to see a trend and relative levels between the back and front ends of the van.
I will obviously regularly monitor the situation now I am aware how these things can catch you out.
A dark cloud lifted.
Bill D.

 

[Hutch]

Well done Bill, Hope all goes well, as they have stop drilled the crack and welded it , all should be good,
Hutch.

 

[Raywood]

It would possibly help others with the same problem if you could give the details of the man involved.

 

[Bill.D]

He does not normally do small jobs like this but I will ask him, he did this as a favour to me.
Did some RH tests today with my new damp meter, not top quality one so cannot say readings can be reliably compared with dealers readings, even so they showed a substantial fall after a couple of days with heat on and a dehumidifier. Will do tests weekly for a while to get comparative readings with my own meter.
Feeling a bit better about the situation now.
Thanks for your input all.
Bill D.