Selling a van

[Annie3]

Hi anyone had any experience of selling their a van through a company such as we buy any caravan etc. Unfortunately we have discovered damp in ours and been advised to sell it due to cost of repairs needed and advised dealers will buy as still some value in the van.

 

[Mel]

Dealers are desperate for stock. Suggest you ring a few and see what they offer. Don’t just go with the first one. Get a price from we buy any…. and use it as negotiation point.

 

[otherclive]

Dealers are desperate for stock. Suggest you ring a few and see what they offer. Don’t just go with the first one. Get a price from we buy any…. and use it as negotiation point.

When I advertised my van for sale two buying dealers from well out of our area were keen to buy. They asked did I have a recent damp report and were the various photos representative. Both offered £1000 more than I was offered last year. Subject to agreement they both were able to collect the caravan the next day and do the bank transfer on site. In the end I sold it to a private buyer together with all its kit.

Your problem will be to know what you think it’s worth with damp present. But get a few viewings from agents or dealers to gauge a reasonable spread of offers.

 

[Raywood]

The damp would be a killer for a private sale. Any of the buyers or dealers will check for damp so just be up front and see what they offer. Giving them enough information to assess the extent of the damp should prevent any arguments on price later. At the same time if the damp makes the repair uneconomic, do not expect a great deal for the caravan.

 

[Annie3]

The damp would be a killer for a private sale. Any of the buyers or dealers will check for damp so just be up front and see what they offer. Giving them enough information to assess the extent of the damp should prevent any arguments on price later. At the same time if the damp makes the repair uneconomic, do not expect a great deal for the caravan.

Thanks yes l want to be upfront just want to find the best way of resolving the issue it’s a sickener when it happens worst nightmare 🥲

 

[Buckman]

Sometimes if you trade in although the dealer is aware of damp they may give you a better trade in value.

BTW did you purchase from a dealer and if so when did you purchase the caravan and what year is it?

 

[Annie3]

Sometimes if you trade in although the dealer is aware of damp they may give you a better trade in value.

BTW did you purchase from a dealer and if so when did you purchase the caravan and what year is it?

Hi Thanks for your response it’s a 2010 model we purchase in 2012 from Swindon Caravans. We did have a damp repair early 2018 costing over £1500 and they allegedly cured it and replaced the awning rail and roof strip l don’t know if they didn’t take it back far enough we have tried to get the same ones back but kept letting us down. We are going to go into Highbridge Caravans tomorrow and show them the paperwork and see what they say? Thanks Annie

 

[Buckman]

Hi Thanks for your response it’s a 2010 model we purchase in 2012 from Swindon Caravans. We did have a damp repair early 2018 costing over £1500 and they allegedly cured it and replaced the awning rail and roof strip l don’t know if they didn’t take it back far enough we have tried to get the same ones back but kept letting us down. We are going to go into Highbridge Caravans tomorrow and show them the paperwork and see what they say? Thanks Annie

You are covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2016 as it is within 6 years of the repair being done that is if the issue is in the same area or whether during the repair they caused other issues. You may just have some recourse under current legislation.

BTW did you discover the damp and who gave you the advice to sell? Have you had an independent approved workshop scheme technician check the caravan? I am asking this as dealers are desperate for caravans and this may be a ploy to get you to sell.

As said all a bit of guesswork as none of us have seen the damp report and whether it is in the same area or not. Is it a Swift caravan by any chance?

 

[Annie3]

You are covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2016 as it is within 6 years of the repair being done that is if the issue is in the same area or whether during the repair they caused other issues. You may just have some recourse under current legislation.

BTW did you discover the damp and who gave you the advice to sell? Have you had an independent approved workshop scheme technician check the caravan? I am asking this as dealers are desperate for caravans and this may be a ploy to get you to sell.

As said all a bit of guesswork as none of us have seen the damp report and whether it is in the same area or not. Is it a Swift caravan by any chance?

Thanks for the info interesting! It’s a Bailey Senator California 2010 model It was an independent damp specialist who advised we try to part ex as work needed was quite significant quotes between 2/3 k as washroom may need to be replaced and at the moment still some value in the van, I presume it would be worthwhile for someone vehicle was capable and knew what they were doing as a project. The engineer said it wasn’t the cost of materials but the labour as took time drying out etc.

 

[Buckman]

Thanks for the info interesting! It’s a Bailey Senator California 2010 model It was an independent damp specialist who advised we try to part ex as work needed was quite significant quotes between 2/3 k as washroom may need to be replaced and at the moment still some value in the van, I presume it would be worthwhile for someone vehicle was capable and knew what they were doing as a project. The engineer said it wasn’t the cost of materials but the labour as took time drying out etc.

There should be very little labour involved in drying it out as in some cases a dehumidifier is used to dry out a damp area and not the technician standing with a hairdryer for hours. LOL!
Was the technician an Approved Workshop Scheme (AWS) technician? Can I suggest a second opinion even if it costs £60 or £70? I don't want to get your hopes up, but it may be worth the second opinion on the damp issue. Up to you to decide the way forward and good luck.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I think a note of caution is appropriate here, before rushing headlong into a Consumer Rights action, its only fair to point out there are some significant hurdles you would need to be prepared to overcome.

Firstly the CRA does allow you to claim for work done in respect of repairs which like anything must be fit for purpose and carried out competently, with teh correct materials. But it is now more than 6month since the work was carried out, so its now up to the customer to provide enough evidence that either the job was not complete, or that workmanship or materials were substandard, and I strongly suspect getting evidence to that effect will be a big up hill task. Essentially it would need a respected professional engineer to write a report that demonstrates the original repair has failed.

Bear in mind it will depend on exactly what instructions were given and accepted at the time of the repair, if anything was not properly covered in the scheme of contracted or work for the repair, teh repairers will not be responsible. But in addition it is commonly the case that when a repair is necessary for damp, the scale of works may do an good repair, but its only later that the areas adjacent to the repair that may start to leak. Again that is not the fault of the repairer, it was not part of the contract and thus they are not liable.

I strongly suspect this case would be very difficult to win.

 

[Annie3]

I think a note of caution is appropriate here, before rushing headlong into a Consumer Rights action, its only fair to point out there are some significant hurdles you would need to be prepared to overcome.

Firstly the CRA does allow you to claim for work done in respect of repairs which like anything must be fit for purpose and carried out competently, with teh correct materials. But it is now more than 6month since the work was carried out, so its now up to the customer to provide enough evidence that either the job was not complete, or that workmanship or materials were substandard, and I strongly suspect getting evidence to that effect will be a big up hill task. Essentially it would need a respected professional engineer to write a report that demonstrates the original repair has failed.

Bear in mind it will depend on exactly what instructions were given and accepted at the time of the repair, if anything was not properly covered in the scheme of contracted or work for the repair, teh repairers will not be responsible. But in addition it is commonly the case that when a repair is necessary for damp, the scale of works may do an good repair, but its only later that the areas adjacent to the repair that may start to leak. Again that is not the fault of the repairer, it was not part of the contract and thus they are not liable.

I strongly suspect this case would be very difficult to win.

Thank you for the advice much appreciated

 

[Buckman]

Is the issue in the same area or not? Get a second opinion on the damp from another source. If the damp is in the same area a report from an AWS qualified technician on the damage should not cost you any more than about £50. You do not need a professional engineer to assess the damage.
If after having a report done and if the damp is in the same area consider contacting Which Legal Services as they can offer free advice on the first consultation. The consultation is free.
However as I said unfortunately none of us know if the issue is in the same area or not and a lot depends on this.

 

[Annie3]

Thankyou 😊