Damp issues on purchase?

[mb1993]

I picked up my 2014 Buccaneer Schooner back in July 2023 and bought it based on a positive looking service which was carried out by the dealer - damp readings were between 9 and 11 per cent around the whole caravan.

Yesterday the caravan was serviced and the damp readings had increased significantly based on the damp inspection 10 months ago. They are now as high as 63%!

This is my first caravan so I’m not an expert - but the company servicing the caravan advised that it is virtually impossible that the damp can get this much worse in 10 months - especially as he carried out the inspection on a warm day. His professional opinion is that the report from 2023 was doctored and inaccurate, probably to not put me off from buying the caravan.

I want to try and take this further now - has anyone had any experience with this and where can I go with this? The caravan was bought from a dealer.

 

[Hutch]

After many people over the years, stating the same thing, nothing surprises me about dealers.

 

[otherclive]

I picked up my 2014 Buccaneer Schooner back in July 2023 and bought it based on a positive looking service which was carried out by the dealer - damp readings were between 9 and 11 per cent around the whole caravan.

Yesterday the caravan was serviced and the damp readings had increased significantly based on the damp inspection 10 months ago. They are now as high as 63%!

This is my first caravan so I’m not an expert - but the company servicing the caravan advised that it is virtually impossible that the damp can get this much worse in 10 months - especially as he carried out the inspection on a warm day. His professional opinion is that the report from 2023 was doctored and inaccurate, probably to not put me off from buying the caravan.

I want to try and take this further now - has anyone had any experience with this and where can I go with this? The caravan was bought from a dealer.

You need to look at the Which site and read up on the Consumer Retail Acts 2015. Given the time since purchase I think that the onus will be on you to prove that the damp was there on purchase. Would the servicing company be prepared to provide a professional report on their views. If not you will need to appoint an independent surveyor. This might be best anyway.

 

[Mr Plodd]

Assuming any used warranty has expired......
My first step would be to return to the dealer, ask to see someone senior and then, very politely show them your damp report, tell them what the engineer said and ask how they wish to proceed. Be firm but polte and suggest that they should inspect your caravan and carry out the necessary repairs. If they agree then get it IN WRITING.
If they refuse then write to them (or even better email to have paperwork trail)
Pointing out the problem and expressing your concerns that they have declined any sort of remedy. That gives you some ammunition.
Did you by any chance pay any of the purchase on a credit card? If so then contact the CC company because they should be able to "assist" you.
Good luck.

 

[ProfJohnL]

As the problem has been found after 6 months from date of purchase, unfortunately it's up to the customer to show the problem was probably present at the point of sale, and with issues like damp, unless the so damage is well advanced enough to remove any doubt about it being present at the point of sale, it's going to be difficult to make the point.

I'd agree with Mr Plodd's suggested approach, try to use the moral argument, it might work.

To be fair though, perhaps when the dealer carried out the test, perhaps there had been a long dry spell which had allowed any damp to dry out, so the presale result's were genuine.

I can only hope the damp can be properly repaired, and you can continue to enjoy the caravan.