Snagging a brand new Caravan

[Saxo Appeal]

Today we travelled back down to view our 2023 new caravan, which has now been moved through to the rear lock up after deposit was paid last week.

Our daughter still hadn't seen it yet, so this was a fine time, and also organise the collection day stage

The Caravan will now go through its PDI, and everything else following this

At what point do we tell them of snags, as this wasn‘t a brand new off the factory it was on the forecourt with people looking at it

We did notice a few small dents, scuff marks on various surfaces within the caravan, we didn’t say anything at this stage as we got told it still hadn’t been through it’s PDI.

Is this normal folks, and will the PDI pick up all these marks and sort them?

 

[otherclive]

Don’t assume the PDI will sort them out. I would have written them down and handed the dealer the list. When you go to collect it after PDI some may not have been addressed. Then what do you plan to do, refuse to accept until sorted, or agree to return the van. I didn’t realise that it’s not a brand new caravan so are you expecting it to be absolutely pristine? You need to establish your position now with the dealer before PDI collection day.

 

[RogerL]

Tell them now - your intention should be to get any issues fixed during the PDI so that it's perfect when you take delivery - it won't quite that good but you see what I mean.

 

[Hutch]

I take it that your "New" caravan was a display model, so you either tell the dealer NOW, to fix the snags you have seen before accepting the caravan. Or cancel the purchase , Or discuss a reduction in the price of the caravan.
We bought an ex display model that had a small dink in the fridge door, £500 discount. .

 

[Saxo Appeal]

Yes the caravan we are buying is a brand new 2023 model, although it has been on the forecourt for people to view and walk about in. It’s been sat outside and only opened when people have wanted to view, then locked straight afterwards.

We did manage to get a cracking deal, as explained in another thread, which I firmly believe is due to it being an ‘Ex Display’

I have just this second emailed the salesman, regarding the scuffs and marks and will let you all know the reply

 

[GaryB]

Ours was also ex-demonstrator and we also negotiated a very good price. The only marks were a couple of minor marks on the edge of a seat base but it didn’t bother me as the discount against “factory fresh” more than made up for it.

 

[Hutch]

A dealer in Bicester, had a problem many years ago with new vans on their forecourt. Small "Dinks" about 2 ft above the bottom of the vans. It turned out to be the Peacocks they used as Alarm birds, seeing themselves in the reflections of the vans, and pecking the reflections.

 

[GaryB]

A dealer in Bicester, had a problem many years ago with new vans on their forecourt. Small "Dinks" about 2 ft above the bottom of the vans. It turned out to be the Peacocks they used as Alarm birds, seeing themselves in the reflections of the vans, and pecking the reflections.

I shouldn’t laugh but it’s one of those things that probably had the dealer wondering what was causing them as peacocks would be the LAST thing you’d consider

 

[ProfJohnL]

Its important to inform the seller as soon as possible about any defects. Do it writing and make sure you keep a copy. This is to avoid any timing issues about whether the seller is liable or not to repair foc or even refund if there is a serious issue.

I suggest you read up about the Consumer Rights Act, and how it can help protect you when goods or services go wrong. I hope it won't be necessary but its useful reading as it applies to ALL retail purchased new or secondhand.

 

[GaryB]

Try everything, every blind, cupboard, switch etc. Even with it being a demonstrator things like rooflight blinds will probably have never been used.

 

[trevormonty]

Also check nothing is missing especially not bolted down fittings. Things can walk on display models.

 

[otherclive]

Yes the caravan we are buying is a brand new 2023 model, although it has been on the forecourt for people to view and walk about in. It’s been sat outside and only opened when people have wanted to view, then locked straight afterwards.

We did manage to get a cracking deal, as explained in another thread, which I firmly believe is due to it being an ‘Ex Display’

I have just this second emailed the salesman, regarding the scuffs and marks and will let you all know the reply

Just a thought if it’s a demonstrator 2023 model it could have been manufactured in Autumn 2022. Do you know it’s manufacturing date, and most importantly when does the makers warranty commence? My last caravan completed manufacture December 2011, but wasn’t sold and registered to its first owner until April 2013. Lucky for me as a cracked rear panel was replaced under warranty just within the five years from registration.

 

[Beachball]

I would tell them now and before you pick up the issues have been fixed to your liking on collection

 

[Somersetboy]

I would point them out now make a list and check it when collecting caravan . We did this when we purchased ours in fact the sales man suggested it as well.

 

[Saxo Appeal]

All great advise, thanks

 

[Mr Plodd]

You are not buying a caravan straight out of the factory, it's an ex demonstrater so the price reflects that fact.
If you want a totally pristine one then buy a brand new one and pay the full price.

 

[Dustydog]

Take detailed photos of all the areas causing you concern. As said by others don’t wait for the PDI, tell them now with written details supported by the photos. That way there can be no misunderstandings. Somewhere in the caravans papers will be gas and electricity certificates signed and dated confirming compliance. Those dates can give an accurate idea of the manufacture date.

 

[Raywood]

You have seen the caravan and noticed the points you raise but seem to have bought it without either noting them all down and getting nothing more than an assurance they would PDI it. The PDI is basically a check to make sure everything works and there were no problems with the build. You refer to a cracking deal which suggests to me the dealer was hoping to sell it as it was with the discount to allow for this. You have created a contract for sale with nothing about the making good the defects you were fully aware of. I hope the dealer will deal with these but I think you are rather stuck with them if he does not.
I note what the Prof says about consumer rights, but you were aware of the problems, so I would agree more with Mr Plodd that it looks more like you were accepting the defects to some extent in exchange for a good discount. Your rights under the CPA would probably only kick in if there were other problems when you picked it up. It does look as though there was no actual agreement as to what was and was not to be accepted at he time of sale.
The guarantee will normally run from the date of collection so should not be a problem.
Sorry to sound harsh, but that seems to be the reality.

 

[Dustydog]

You have seen the caravan and noticed the points you raise but seem to have bought it without either noting them all down or getting nothing more than an assurance they would PDI it. You refer to a cracking deal which suggests to me the dealer was hoping to sell it as it was with the discount to allow for this. You have created a contract for sale with nothing about the making good of the defects you were fully aware of. I hope the dealer will deal with these but I thin you are rather stuck with them if he does not.
I note what the Prof says about consumer rights, but you were aware of the problems, so I would agree more with Mr Plodd that it looks more like you were accepting the defects to some extent in exchange for a good discount. Your rights under the CPA would probably only kick in if there were other problems when you picked it up. It does look as though there was no actual agreement as to what was and was not to be accepted at he time of sale.
Sorry to sound harsh, but that seems to be the reality.

I see your point Ray .
Do you agree the OP should ensure all the snags are agreed by the dealer in writing so as not to get confused with any future issues?

 

[ProfJohnL]

It's sad we have to advise purchasers to be so circumspect about buying a caravan, but the reality is the UK caravan industry is still in the dark ages when it comes to quality ,after sales and customer satisfaction.

 

[Saxo Appeal]

You have seen the caravan and noticed the points you raise but seem to have bought it without either noting them all down and getting nothing more than an assurance they would PDI it. The PDI is basically a check to make sure everything works and there were no problems with the build. You refer to a cracking deal which suggests to me the dealer was hoping to sell it as it was with the discount to allow for this. You have created a contract for sale with nothing about the making good the defects you were fully aware of. I hope the dealer will deal with these but I think you are rather stuck with them if he does not.
I note what the Prof says about consumer rights, but you were aware of the problems, so I would agree more with Mr Plodd that it looks more like you were accepting the defects to some extent in exchange for a good discount. Your rights under the CPA would probably only kick in if there were other problems when you picked it up. It does look as though there was no actual agreement as to what was and was not to be accepted at he time of sale.
The guarantee will normally run from the date of collection so should not be a problem.
Sorry to sound harsh, but that seems to be the reality.

Just to get things right, we paid the deposit mainly because we wanted to reserve the caravan as there was no more in Scotland of this version and close to us.

We hadn’t noticed all the marks the first time we visited, we only just seen them yesterday.

I have emailed the dealership and are visiting tomorrow morning to go through everything we seen.

We are not talking about major cracks or issues, it’s light scuff marks, a small dent and a couple other issues.

Remember we are first time caravan buyers, and by only speaking to people on here we have learnt a heck of a lot (and watching the Trudgians). I thought a PDI would pick these things up but obviously not, which is why we are going back down tomorrow to go through everything

 

[otherclive]

Like cars there are techniques and specialists who can transform blemishes so that they cannot be seen. Some external repair companies deal with far more than small dings. So I’m sure your dealership will be well versed in getting a caravan ready for a new owner. But as stated best to get the understanding of your expectations properly agreed.

 

[Saxo Appeal]

Yes I worked at a furniture showroom warehouse, and when items were brought in due to dents, the trusty wax assortment tub was brought out.

We would then choose a Wax colour close to the shade, then drip hot wax into the hole, buff it off then use some ink to match it in, so yes there are lots of ways to transform surfaces

Customers were none the wiser

 

[Saxo Appeal]

Tomorrow we will look all over, and try everything and make a list.

Does anyone have any tips?

Also just had a call with the salesman, and he mentioned we are more than welcome to pop down, he jokingly said ‘we canny rebuild the caravan, but we can deal with marks and scuffs or something that we think should not be that way’

 

[otherclive]

Ask if some aspects can be video’d by phone as required.
There should be a caravan owners manual plus makers manuals for most other fittings in the caravan and its chassis, brakes, stabiliser, etc.