Swift Group Vans 2nd Try

[trucker]

We are on our 3rd Swift group van in a row and now find out its the 2nd in a row wths cracks to the front panel, this on a 2 year old van. There is a growing number of Swift owners reporting the same, some with BRAND NEW 2011 super vans!!. Also today I read on Swift talk this is also a problem on the motorhome above cab GRP.

So what do we do, keep it after repair (not an option ) keep it after a new front panel (will it not happen again out of warantey) or buy another brand.

What is the new bolt together Bailey like, reports of internal fittings poor quality, but has there been any reports of cracking on the rear panel??

Go continental, been looking at the Hymer and bustner today on the pc, dont mind buying in France and getting the electrics uk speced taking it back once a year for a service/ warantey work, buying in euros looks like a good saving on importing and buying over here.

Any thoughts for a p***ed off Swift owner

 

[SirRogerFFS]

If you are that pleased with your Swift caravans why keep buying them, we bought ours new last year and cant fault it .

 

[trucker]

Thanks for your sarcasum Roger, I was looking for some constructive feedback.

For your information Our first Swift group van was a pleasure, we upgraded to a newer model which developed cracks, we were very pleased with the van other than this so went for another Swift group van. I do hope this explains why we kept buying them. We will not however be buying another.

Oh and so glad you cant fault yours

 

[keith_5111936]

Hi I have a swift van which is just over 3 years old. I found two cracks above the windows just after the first service and they were done under the warranty. The van was serviced in Januray this year and after the service I put the caravan back in storage. My first time out this year was at the end of March. On the camp site I washed and polished it and found 3 more cracks, two above the window and one next to the side light. I spoke to the dealer about putting in a warranty claim. The dealer did not get back to me so I emailed Swift for Swift to tell me no claim had been put in so I phoned my dealer and they told me it was not covered because it was over 3 yeas old. I emailed Swift and they agreed with the dealer. Swift has told me that I would have to pay for the repair.

I hope this is not going to be a continuing problem.

 

[Surfer]

Hi I have a swift van which is just over 3 years old. I found two cracks above the windows just after the first service and they were done under the warranty. The van was serviced in Januray this year and after the service I put the caravan back in storage. My first time out this year was at the end of March. On the camp site I washed and polished it and found 3 more cracks, two above the window and one next to the side light. I spoke to the dealer about putting in a warranty claim. The dealer did not get back to me so I emailed Swift for Swift to tell me no claim had been put in so I phoned my dealer and they told me it was not covered because it was over 3 yeas old. I emailed Swift and they agreed with the dealer. Swift has told me that I would have to pay for the repair.

I hope this is not going to be a continuing problem.

under the Sale of goods Act youa re covered for those crqacks as they appear to be a latent fault that is not manifesting itself. This should be repaired free of charge as the SOGA specifically states the following;
• Wherever goods are bought they must "conform to contract". This means they must be as described, fit for purpose and of satisfactory quality (i.e. not inherently faulty at the time of sale).
• Goods are of satisfactory quality if they reach the standard that a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory, taking into account the price and any description.
• Aspects of quality include fitness for purpose, freedom from minor defects, appearance and finish, durability and safety.

You have an inherent fault and secondly the goods are obviously not of a satisfactory quality given the price yopu paid for the caravan. Your contract is with the dealer so you will need to approach the dealer for satisfaction. Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) or Trading Standards for advice. Send a recorded letter to the dealer requesting the repair and request a written reply and not a phone call.
Should the dealer fail to respond, after giving them ample chance to do the repair, you can get the repair done and then through the small claims court, claim the cost of the repair back from them. Doing this should cost you nothing, but get legal advice from CAB, Trading Standards or a solicitor. Any money spent on a solicitor could be claimed back via small claims court. Don't let the dealer walk over you and get away with not fulfilling their legal obligations.

 

[SirRogerFFS]

Hey Trucker .
Sorry post wasnt meant to be offensive but now youve explained more in detail I understand your beef.
I hope you can get van sorted .
This is my second van from the Swift stable and both have or are serving me well
Sir Roger

 

[trucker]

No problem Sir Roger, Im a bit touchy about the whole situation to be honest, 15/16k is alot of only to have these problems van after van. As said it WILL be my last Swift.

Kevin

 

[trucker]

Keith, Surfer is right dont let then fob you off. This is my exact point if I accept a repair what happens in a couple of years, well I now have the answer.

Use your legal rights mate I nwill be.
got to take the van to dealers on Saturday for them to inspect as they said they could repair but I want a new front panel.

Kevin

 

[forestgump]

i had this and oppted foradria because of the build quality and the wat]y there constructed.

 

[keith_5111936]

This is one of swifts replys to my front panel.

The Swift Group will honour the warranty for 36 months from the date of purchase, provided that the caravan has had an annual service within 90 days before or 60 days after each anniversary of the original date of purchase.

Your dealer has advised you correctly, the warranty on the above caravan expired 21st January 2011. Therefore, any remedial work required would be on a chargeable bassis.

Keith

 

[trucker]

Keith, write to your dealer replying to the Swift letter (your contract is with the dealer not Swift)Detailing that the cracks have reappeared after being repaired under warranty, and you find it totally unaccepable they are washing their hands of the problem. Also tell them that if there is no joy you will seek legal advice.

Googal sale of goods act quick facts, that will give you more info. Dond let them win.

If you have to, reject the van, I know its 3 years old but you will be able to come to an agreement with the dealer, if not do em

Kevin

 

[keith_5111936]

Hi Trucker thanks for the advice the caravan is going into the dealer next week for a damp test in the service the reading were high was told to bring back in 3 months. Will speak to them about the cracks but dont think they will repair them. I will let you know what the dealer is going to do.
Keith

 

[forestgump]

the warantry shuold be on the repair that was done not from when van was new so from repair it should be at least a year ,

 

[chrisbee1]

the warantry shuold be on the repair that was done not from when van was new so from repair it should be at least a year ,

I’m not sure about caravans but certainly with cars any repair carried out under warranty is only covered to the end of the original warranty period.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I agree with Chrisbee 1 on this one,

The warranty on a product is created by the purchase of the product, and the suppliers liability to the contract operates from that point. If a product needs to be repaired, the supplier only has to return the product to the same condition as it would have been if the product hadn't failed. thus if the product is halfway through its normal life expectancy, the supplierers contracted liability only continues to the end of its origonal life.

The situation is different if you pay to have a repair carried out. You establish a contract when you agree to pay for a repair. and that sets the SoGA clock ticking again - but only for the parts and workmanship used for the repair - not the whole of the origonal product which remains tied to the origonal contract.

Repairs can be a tricky area to legislate especially where new parts have to be integrated with old parts. The newer parts being in better condition may cause the remaining origonal parts to be put under greater stress or strain which precipitates their subsequent failure, does the fitter of the new parts have any liability for the subsequent failure?
Answers on a Small Claims Court notice please.

 

[Wayne_5133334]

Trucker,

Like you I am disgusted by my Swift Caravan quality and the number of defects found in the first 6 months. How on earth they (Swift) can keep making a profit when they have so many defects is questionable, perhaps they will be a 2nd C.I. Caravans !!!!!

The faults, defects, shoddy workmanship on our new £20k caravan are unimanaginable, yet Swift really do not seem to care but more importantly don't seem to want to stop the rot. We understand their production lines are on "Peacework" and have a "banging them out" approach so why should we be wondering why the product is rubbish. My new 2011 van might be sorted after 12 months- perhaps !!!
Next time German !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[forestgump]

or adria lol.