Cracked rear panel

[Teddieboy]

Uncovered the van to get ready and found cracks to the Rear panel on roof, cover has saved water ingress! thank good ness, Lunar has gone bust so who made the panels for them to get a replacement
and did the cover enhance the crackability of the plastic panel.

 

[otherclive]

Uncovered the van to get ready and found cracks to the Rear panel on roof, cover has saved water ingress! thank good ness, Lunar has gone bust so who made the panels for them to get a replacement
and did the cover enhance the crackability of the plastic panel.

On two vans I’ve had a front and two rear panels crack. The last one a rear took six months to obtain under warranty. I don’t think it would be the cover as I’ve never used a cover. Poor design, manufacture or installation being the normal culprits.

 

[Teddieboy]

On two vans I’ve had a front and two rear panels crack. The last one a rear took six months to obtain under warranty. I don’t think it would be the cover as I’ve never used a cover. Poor design, manufacture or installation being the normal culprits.

It was just a thought never covered vans before and had no probs, van not used for 18 months build up of heat I wondered, reports say it was poor workmanship in manufacture holes not drilled properly etc, of course warrantee runs out in Jan 22 but Lunar's gone bust so! and NCC sign of quality used for marketing new vans in reality, means nothing.

 

[Jcloughie]

Have a look at plastic specialist. There are many variations on plastic types and each need differing techniques for repair. But quality invisible repairs are possible.



John

 

[Buckman]

If the caravan is on HP get onto the fiance house and tell them that you are not happy. Hopefully they will sort it out for you. If not, maybe the dealer from whom you bought depending on how long ago.

 

[Teddieboy]

If the caravan is on HP get onto the fiance house and tell them that you are not happy. Hopefully they will sort it out for you. If not, maybe the dealer from whom you bought depending on how long ago.

No not on any finance purchased in 2019, spoke to dealer not very interested put me onto a repair people £1100 they are asking

 

[Buckman]

No not on any finance purchased in 2019, spoke to dealer not very interested put me onto a repair people £1100 they are asking

Dealer is responsible under CRA 2015 as from time of purchase you are covered for 6 years, but you need to prove it is an inherent fault. Do a Google or Facebook and you will have plenty of ammunition. Our issue was with cracked panels front and rear on a new caravan.
I strongly suggest that you contact Which Legal Services on 0117 405 4683. initial consultation is free. If you decide it is worth fighting then you cna join for about £90 for as much legal advice as required.
Although our circumstances were different we did this and took on a dealer and also a finance house and were successful.
You have nothing to lose, but can gain a lot for the cost of a phone call.

 

[woodsieboy]

We had cracked rear panel discovered at first service in 2018 Lunar Clubman Solaris,dealer was unhelpful, another dealer wanted to replace whole panel ,Lunar said reapir it then went bust, so chopped it in against a Swift, took a hit but glad we got shot of it.Have you spoken to your insurance company, may be covered, but you need to read your policy carefully, there will be repairers prepared to do it for you , but at a cost to your time and pocket.

 

[Teddieboy]

We had cracked rear panel discovered at first service in 2018 Lunar Clubman Solaris,dealer was unhelpful, another dealer wanted to replace whole panel ,Lunar said reapir it then went bust, so chopped it in against a Swift, took a hit but glad we got shot of it.Have you spoken to your insurance company, may be covered, but you need to read your policy carefully, there will be repairers prepared to do it for you , but at a cost to your time and pocket.

Hi yes we have the same sentiments, but Swift seem to have the same prospects, they all do with the plastic fancy panels
and with the current situation stay at home dealers are hiking prices. They say its poor workmanship, with the number reported its about time the so called NCC who appear to support the manufacturers, kicked them out until they put the production right. I have no sympathy with employees that lost their jobs. A warrantee means nothing it should be illegal
to claim it, unless its insured for its duration by the Manufacturer.

 

[Raywood]

You do have rights against the dealer under the Consume Protection Act if you can show the panel was faulty, which might need an independent report. If you paid any part on a credit card including the deposit you have rights against the credit card provider under the Consumer Credit Act. Both clubs have Legal Help Lines for members or you can contact Citizens Advice to get more assistance..
Replacement panels should be available from Caravan Panels of Preston if needed. It depends on the extent of the problem, but some cracks can be capped rather than panel replaced.

 

[Buckman]

You do have rights against the dealer under the Consume Protection Act if you can show the panel was faulty, which might need an independent report. If you paid any part on a credit card including the deposit you have rights against the credit card provider under the Consumer Credit Act. Both clubs have Legal Help Lines for members or you can contact Citizens Advice to get more assistance..
Replacement panels should be available from Caravan Panels of Preston if needed. It depends on the extent of the problem, but some cracks can be capped rather than panel replaced.

You are correct and the issue is not with just one brand but a number of brands that were supplied by the same manufacturer. We ended up with cracked front and rear panels and fault showed up within a week of usage. Both replacement panels cracked again within weeks of being replaced at which point the caravn was rejected!

 

[Teddieboy]

You are correct and the issue is not with just one brand but a number of brands that were supplied by the same manufacturer. We ended up with cracked front and rear panels and fault showed up within a week of usage. Both replacement panels cracked again within weeks of being replaced at which point the caravn was rejected!

We purchased the van 2 years ago when it was just 2 years old, very little usage almost new, they claimed, we used it for 3 weeks before an illness prevented, then lockdown, it has been covered ever since until recently, warrantee expires in Jan 22 of course useless now! Funny isn't it how both clubs never mention these faults just give glowing reviews, never really criticise poor positioning of interior, poor quality flimsy fittings, or panel faults, supporting and protecting advertising revenue I presume.

 

[Buckman]

We purchased the van 2 years ago when it was just 2 years old, very little usage almost new, they claimed, we used it for 3 weeks before an illness prevented, then lockdown, it has been covered ever since until recently, warrantee expires in Jan 22 of course useless now! Funny isn't it how both clubs never mention these faults just give glowing reviews, never really criticise poor positioning of interior, poor quality flimsy fittings, or panel faults, supporting and protecting advertising revenue I presume.

It must be remembered that perhaps the majority of caravans are fault free. Also a "test" caravan is not used, only walked in and around so hardly a fair review.

 

[otherclive]

Hi yes we have the same sentiments, but Swift seem to have the same prospects, they all do with the plastic fancy panels
and with the current situation stay at home dealers are hiking prices. They say its poor workmanship, with the number reported its about time the so called NCC who appear to support the manufacturers, kicked them out until they put the production right. I have no sympathy with employees that lost their jobs. A warrantee means nothing it should be illegal
to claim it, unless its insured for its duration by the Manufacturer.

I think the abs panels are a fault waiting to happen. Exacerbated with some makes by poor installation at the factory. When my Bailey had its two panels replaced very early in its life I kept it for another 7 years without any problems. Clearly the dealer took more care in fitting the replacement panels than did the manufacturer.
I nite that Adria don’t have the large abs panels their vans have the roofline dropping down the back with a cross seam. I think Knaus do the same. Is there a lesson here?

 

[Teddieboy]

It must be remembered that perhaps the majority of caravans are fault free. Also a "test" caravan is not used, only walked in and around so hardly a fair review.

In 25 years we had 5 caravans, 3 new all leaked, then 3 large motorhomes, 1 rear axle spring shattered, 1 Eldis roof vents leaked, 2nd Eldis rear window not sealed in at all! then this one, majority eh!

 

[Jcloughie]

It must be remembered that large plastic panels can of course be manufactured in a faulty manner. But equally failures can be due to poor design in shape, poor quality control, poor staff training, poor design in fixing methods and poor fitting leading to stress fractures.

Problems are reported far too often.

John

 

[Beachball]

Hi Teddieboy welcome to the forum

 

[woodsieboy]

One of the main things that persuaded us to buy Swift was the front and rear panels are fibreglass,as are the sides and roof,so in my mind easier to repair,aslo I noticed when washing the Lunar the rear panel would flex, whereas the Swift does not move at all