what would you do ?

[andyp1]

I have a 2007 caravan that has just come back from its annual service.
The dealer has found a 'crack' in the rear panel at the very top - This crack is 3 mm long
The dealer is suggesting replacing the entire rear panel under warranty , however i am concerned it may create more problems than it solves.
There are no water leaks at the crack or anywhere else
If you polish the crack you cant see anything.
Any advice welcome
Regards
Andy

 

[Martin24]

I would suggest you have the work done otherwise you may have much worse problems in the future and invalidate your water ingress warranty. I certainly know of some vans that have had similar problems in the past and the manufacturer has had the vans back to the factory for the replacement panels.

 

[Royston]

Hi Andy, get the rear panel replaced under warranty, you will regret it if you ignoire the dealer.
I purchased a brand new van , on its 2nd service they noticed a crack in the nearside of the rear panel top left, this was in June, When it was taken in to have the panel replaced in October, they discovered a 2nd crack this time in the offside of the rear panel as per the first.
I traded the van in the following spring, a year later the Dealer told me that my old van had to have the front panel replaced due to cracks.
You are lucky to have a dealer who will replace the rear panel complete , as I had to contact the MD of the manufacurer of my van to get the dealer to replace the panels they wanted to repair with a infill.
Royston

 

[BernardinTring]

Without doubt get it replaced ASAP. It will only get worse with movement stress and then you really will have problems.
Currently my van is back with the manufacturer having its front panel replaced following the discovery of a very very small crack between the front window and the joining extrusion between the roof and the window panels. In torrential rain it leaked!!
This is the second attempt at resolving the issue. When first removed by the dealer the water ingress damage was far worse than the initial diagnosis. Extended time delay for additional parts to be obtained from the manufactuer. I was not satisfied with the standard of finished work and following the submission of a number of digital pictures direct to the manufacter it is now back with them for further remedial work.
My confidence has been severely knocked by this experience and I would suggest that you try and get the manufacturer to undertake the work.
This has been going on since last October and I have now been without the van for five weeks initially and now at the hight of the get out and about season, a further four weeks.
There is also an issue with periods of guarantee in respect of the repaired area and effects on residual values of a repaired van.
Bernard

 

[Damian]

Get the panel replaced as suggested by your Dealer.

 

[Dustydog]

Assuming you have a six year water ingress guarantee it's a no brainer. get it replaced FOC or stand to take a big hit on the future residual value. I guess it's a Bailey ???

 

[mealsonwheels]

Absolutely no doubt - get the whole rear panel replaced FOC under warranty.