Service dealer or mobile

Dec 12, 2015
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I have a Coachman Olympia coming due for its first service my question is should I go main dealer or a mobile I don't know.
For the last 6 years I have used a mobile and trust him he has well over 20+ years servicing caravans, but I can't use him now as he's not registered with the red flag group (Approved Workshop Scheme.) so I'm forced now to go dealer or a new mobile mechanic that I don't know and never used just because he has a red flag logo, also would going mobile harm my warranty in anyway. Can I go anywhere so long as they are in the Approved workshop scheme?
 
Feb 3, 2008
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Whichever way you go make sure you have it serviced WITHIN 12 months, if that's what you warranty conditions state. ;)

We bought our new van 3 years ago from a dealer 60 miles away as our local dealer didn't stock the make. The local dealer has done the servicing and warranty work since new, but we did ask them before buying the van. However the local dealer has since become an agent for the make.
 
Jan 15, 2011
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Hello my experience of your question. Is this.
Just before our first service was due on our Bailey Ranger. I contacted the Bailey customer services. (This was in the days when you could actually speak to a real person at Bailey) December ish 2011
I put the same question to them. The answer was that provided the mobile engineer was certificated/registered under the mobile approved Workshop scheme then the warranty of the caravan would be safeguarded.
During the conversation the guy I spoke with confirmed that the mobile workshop I intended to be using was in fact registered. I presumed he had brought the list up on his desk top screen.
Obviously all documentation would have to be correct and that servicing should be carried out within the anniversary date criteria in just the same way as visiting a dealers approved workshop.

My view was that the guy I used, I had confidence in. Each visit he was with us for a few hours and from what I witnessd was very thorough and conscientious in his approach.
I wouldn't be able to say that if my van was within a workshop somewhere.

Hopefully this is still the current situation regarding mobile workshops.
Regards Brian
 
Jun 20, 2005
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I stuck with the supplying dealer for six years mainly because of the water ingress guarantee. For the last four years I kept telling the dealer the heater cuts out for over an hour leaving us freezing.
Switched to a Red Flag qualified approved mobile guy and never looked back.
As this will be your caravan's first service whatever you do get it in writing.
I think it advisable to get written agreement from the Manufacturer AND the supplying dealer. You don't want any future aggro if something goes wrong and the dealer says they would have picked up the "problem" if they had serviced it :angry:
 
Dec 12, 2015
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I'm fairly savvy at picking things up and very macanicaly minded the caravan has been back a few times now for warranty work and I think after 9 months of ownership we have just about got everything fixed or replaced that needed doing the main dealer has been very good at getting stuff fixed a little slow but got there in the end I think it was getting the go ahead from coachman was the main problem, and I have no probs with their work, it's just getting the caravan out then a 40 min drive over to them followed with a much bigger bill.
I'll give Coachman a call tomorrow and see what they say, need it soon as of to Disney Land with it soon
 
Nov 16, 2015
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I hope thats Disney Land in Fr. always softish rain around there.
I used the dealer that I got my Coachman from, and then used the local Approved service man down the road from me. I have just ben told of a mobile approved man that might save me £60, have to talk to the workshops to see if I can do a deal.
Have a good trip.
Hutch.
 
Oct 12, 2013
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Same here , I've found a local caravan / motorhome specialist , ( He's Just of the "A19" ) :whistle: the one I met at Barnard castle that time our plug came apart , he's Bailey approved & 5 minutes from our storage facilities and saves me a 1oo mile round trip and a few quid !!
 
Mar 14, 2005
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I sense there may be some confusion about the the terms and conditions of the manufacturers guarantee, and the onus it places on the caravan owner.

Unlike the customers automatic rights under the old SoGA and the newer Consumer Rights Act which sets out overriding terms and conditions on your contract with your seller (Dealer) There is no legislation that controls or even requires manufacturers to offer any support to end users. Consequently manufacturers guarantees and warranties are technically in the gift of the manufacturer, and there is no automatic right for end users to have any.

Being a gift, the manufacturer can set out almost any terms and conditions, and when you sign up to their scheme, you agree to abide by them. Even though this is a gift, it is still a contract between you and the manufacturer, and if you break the terms of the contract, it can reduce your rights to take advantage of the scheme.

However, because the scheme is a “contract with a consumer”, the terms and conditions of the contract can be challenged if any term is blatantly unfair, through the unfair contract regulations.

Given this balancing legislation, contract terms that limit the consumer to using only manufacturer s dealer network for SERVICE work, would almost certainly be held inadmissible if challenged, This is because exactly the same work would be required on any caravan regardless of which make. However it is reasonable for the manufacturer to require service work to be carried out to an agreed standard as monitored by the approved workshop schemes.

I specifically stated SERVICE work to differentiate to INSPECTION requirements such as those required to meet the manufacturers body work systems. There may be unique and specialist techniques or equipment required to carry out these inspections, and as such it is reasonable for a manufacture to limit the customer to only manufacture approved dealers for this work and certification.
 

Parksy

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Nov 12, 2009
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Craigyoung said:
Same here , I've found a local caravan / motorhome specialist , ( He's Just of the "A19" ) :whistle: the one I met at Barnard castle that time our plug came apart , he's Bailey approved & 5 minutes from our storage facilities and saves me a 1oo mile round trip and a few quid !!

The rules of this forum don't allow members to air complaints or grievances with regard to commercial organisations or individuals but the rules do allow providers of good service to be named provided that the naming doesn't take the form of self publicity or unauthorised advertising.
If you have found a good mobile caravan engineer please feel free to let everyone know who. :)
 
May 7, 2012
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We are about 40 miles from the nearest Lunar dealer and decided to save the trip by using a mobile engineer. I did check with Lunar who confirmed any NCC approved workshop is all they require.
I get good service and do not have to travel so I am happy.
 
Jun 20, 2005
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Hi Prof
Fully agree with all that.
What are your thoughts regarding the Dealer's liabilities?
Eg As I do, you use a recognised mobile chap approved by the manufacturer. Two years later something goes wrong. You go back to the dealer whose defence is he would have discovered the fault earlier and remedied it foc. The delay in his eyes has caused the damage to become far greater. He argues he has no liability as under the various legislation he wasn't given the earlier chance for discovery and remedy? Just wondered.
I must say my mobile chap is brilliant and out performs the dealer hands down.
 
Aug 23, 2009
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Our dealer is totally hopeless but FM caravans do all our work. Not approved by Bailey for warranty work as they are too close to our approved dealer BUT are registered and approved by Bailey for servicing. Warranty work that has been undertaken by FM so far has been sorted directly with Whale.
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Hello Dusty,

Under both SoGA and CRA the seller is only responsible for faults that were either present or the underlying cause was present at the point of sale. Any fault that becomes apparent after 6 months, it is the customers responsibility to provide enough evidence to show the fault was present or at least the underlying cause was present at the POS.

It would of course depend on what the fault is, but in general regardless of whoever you use to service your caravan you would expect them to do the same work, and as such your mobile chap would be just as likely to detect any fault and warn you about it as would your main dealer. So I think your scenario is not very likely to arise.

If a dealer were to try and use your scenario as a reason to dodge their responsibility, I am quite certain a court would look very dimly at their stance.
 
Sep 25, 2009
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Hello Reevco,

You have not indicated what area you are in so the members of the Forum are not able to give you any suggestions for the service engineers, near to you, that they will have used for many years. I use an independant engineer with his own small factory unit, on the Northants/Bedford border, he is a Swift Approved engineer and has carried out the few warranty problems I have had, with no problems. I am sure if you can find a similar independant in your area and build up a relationship with them you will soon have the confidence that I have in mine. The big advantage of an independat is that you know the persoin who is carrying out the work on your van.
 
Mar 14, 2005
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BedfordGeorge said:
Hello Reevco,

... The big advantage of an independat is that you know the persoin who is carrying out the work on your van.

Hello George,

That may well be true of individual independents, but there are also independent repair specialists who run quite large garages with a number of staff so you may not actually talk to the boss.
 
Dec 12, 2015
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Oops I'm in Rugby
I had a very good relationship with my last mobile and used him for years he was from Coventry

I now have a new guy booked from from Coventry CJ MOBILE CARAVAN SERVICING so will try him and see how it goes.

Dealer Raymond James has been very good and has done every bit of work asked so far under warranty and the list had well over twenty items on it they did the work first time of asking and did it spot on , only problem is their 40 to 50 mins away it's all morning gone to take it in and most of the afternoon to pick it up plus the extra cost.
 
Jun 20, 2005
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Reevco said:
Oops I'm in Rugby
I had a very good relationship with my last mobile and used him for years he was from Coventry

I now have a new guy booked from from Coventry CJ MOBILE CARAVAN SERVICING so will try him and see how it goes.

Dealer Raymond James has been very good and has done every bit of work asked so far under warranty and the list had well over twenty items on it they did the work first time of asking and did it spot on , only problem is their 40 to 50 mins away it's all morning gone to take it in and most of the afternoon to pick it up plus the extra cost.

Hi Reevco

Lucky you.

The guy you will see is called Craig. He and his partner Jo are well seasoned caravanners.
I am sure you will not be disappointed. In fact I was with Craig and Jo when they purchased their brand new Bailey Wyoming a few years ago!
A small world.
 
May 7, 2012
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Dustydog said:
Hi Prof
Fully agree with all that.
What are your thoughts regarding the Dealer's liabilities?
Eg As I do, you use a recognised mobile chap approved by the manufacturer. Two years later something goes wrong. You go back to the dealer whose defence is he would have discovered the fault earlier and remedied it foc. The delay in his eyes has caused the damage to become far greater. He argues he has no liability as under the various legislation he wasn't given the earlier chance for discovery and remedy? Just wondered.
I must say my mobile chap is brilliant and out performs the dealer hands down.

This is a good point and if used would require you to get independent advice to say they were wrong in most cases. A lot would depend on just what the problem was and could they prove their assertions were correct but it is a possible downside of using an independent engineer.
There is another if you have a Swift, in that Swift guarantee their own dealers, work but not that of anyone else. Probably not a big risk but it is worth noting.
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Raywood said:
Dustydog said:
Hi Prof
Fully agree with all that.
What are your thoughts regarding the Dealer's liabilities?
Eg As I do, you use a recognised mobile chap approved by the manufacturer. Two years later something goes wrong. You go back to the dealer whose defence is he would have discovered the fault earlier and remedied it foc. The delay in his eyes has caused the damage to become far greater. He argues he has no liability as under the various legislation he wasn't given the earlier chance for discovery and remedy? Just wondered.
I must say my mobile chap is brilliant and out performs the dealer hands down.

This is a good point and if used would require you to get independent advice to say they were wrong in most cases. A lot would depend on just what the problem was and could they prove their assertions were correct but it is a possible downside of using an independent engineer.
There is another if you have a Swift, in that Swift guarantee their own dealers, work but not that of anyone else. Probably not a big risk but it is worth noting.

Frankly I would not put a great deal of store in a manufacturer guaranteeing a dealers work, It offers no better protection than the consumer legislation which is a legal requirement.
 
Jun 20, 2005
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ProfJohnL said:
Raywood said:
Dustydog said:
Hi Prof
Fully agree with all that.
What are your thoughts regarding the Dealer's liabilities?
Eg As I do, you use a recognised mobile chap approved by the manufacturer. Two years later something goes wrong. You go back to the dealer whose defence is he would have discovered the fault earlier and remedied it foc. The delay in his eyes has caused the damage to become far greater. He argues he has no liability as under the various legislation he wasn't given the earlier chance for discovery and remedy? Just wondered.
I must say my mobile chap is brilliant and out performs the dealer hands down.

This is a good point and if used would require you to get independent advice to say they were wrong in most cases. A lot would depend on just what the problem was and could they prove their assertions were correct but it is a possible downside of using an independent engineer.
There is another if you have a Swift, in that Swift guarantee their own dealers, work but not that of anyone else. Probably not a big risk but it is worth noting.

Frankly I would not put a great deal of store in a manufacturer guaranteeing a dealers work, It offers no better protection than the consumer legislation which is a legal requirement.

If the Dealer is effecting a repair on behalf of the Manufacturer surely in Law the Manufacturer becomes legally liable under the Vicarious liability rules?
 
Dec 12, 2015
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Dustydog said:
Reevco said:
Oops I'm in Rugby
I had a very good relationship with my last mobile and used him for years he was from Coventry

I now have a new guy booked from from Coventry CJ MOBILE CARAVAN SERVICING so will try him and see how it goes.

Dealer Raymond James has been very good and has done every bit of work asked so far under warranty and the list had well over twenty items on it they did the work first time of asking and did it spot on , only problem is their 40 to 50 mins away it's all morning gone to take it in and most of the afternoon to pick it up plus the extra cost.

Hi Reevco

Lucky you.

The guy you will see is called Craig. He and his partner Jo are well seasoned caravanners.
I am sure you will not be disappointed. In fact I was with Craig and Jo when they purchased their brand new Bailey Wyoming a few years ago!
A small world.

Looks like we will be okay then

Thanks
 
Aug 15, 2011
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I have always used an NCC approved workshop as the manufacturers allow this without invalidating the warranty.
I have found that I get a better quality service compared to the dealers without the hassle.
I only ever used a mobile fitter once, who gave our old Avondale a clean bill of health when it had water ingress problems so never again.
 
Mar 14, 2005
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Dustydog said:
ProfJohnL said:
Raywood said:
Dustydog said:
Hi Prof
Fully agree with all that.
What are your thoughts regarding the Dealer's liabilities?
Eg As I do, you use a recognised mobile chap approved by the manufacturer. Two years later something goes wrong. You go back to the dealer whose defence is he would have discovered the fault earlier and remedied it foc. The delay in his eyes has caused the damage to become far greater. He argues he has no liability as under the various legislation he wasn't given the earlier chance for discovery and remedy? Just wondered.
I must say my mobile chap is brilliant and out performs the dealer hands down.

This is a good point and if used would require you to get independent advice to say they were wrong in most cases. A lot would depend on just what the problem was and could they prove their assertions were correct but it is a possible downside of using an independent engineer.
There is another if you have a Swift, in that Swift guarantee their own dealers, work but not that of anyone else. Probably not a big risk but it is worth noting.

Frankly I would not put a great deal of store in a manufacturer guaranteeing a dealers work, It offers no better protection than the consumer legislation which is a legal requirement.

If the Dealer is effecting a repair on behalf of the Manufacturer surely in Law the Manufacturer becomes legally liable under the Vicarious liability rules?

Hello Dusty,

As I understand it currently no UK caravan manufacturer owns or controls any caravan dealer, they are all independent companies, and as such when ever they undertake any manufacturer's warranty work they are working under a contract arrangement where the dealer is a sub contractor to the manufacture. It is a well established legal tenant that as far as the customer is concerned the work, behaviour, and charges and of a sub contractor is the responsibility of the main contractor - in this case the caravan manufacturer.

However if a caravanner approaches a dealer to have non manufacturer warranty work carried out such as service or inspection, the dealer is contracted only to the customer, and the manufacture has no part or liability for the work carried out, even if the specification of the work is part a of a manufactures service plan or inspection, The manufacturer would only be liable if the specification of the plans is wrong, not for any mal practice on the part of the dealer using the plan.
 
May 7, 2012
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I have not copied the above due ti its size. The advantage of using a Swift dealer is the Swift guarantee. As the Prof says under normal circumstances the manufacturer would only be liable if they had specified a repair and they were wrong or the parts they supplied the dealer with were faulty. It is an additional benefit which is probably most useful if the dealer goes out of business. The dealer may be the more expensive option for the work though so you have to decide if the benefit is worth any extra cost.
 

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