New motorhome breakdown after just 58 miles on the clock
Discussion
We were very much looking forward to a weekend away in our brand new motorhome collected from the dealer on Thursday this weekend.
Unfortunately the van had other plans for us with a severe mechanical failure after just 38 miles into the trip.
After a swift tow off the motorway in just twenty minutes it took 6 more hours to complete the 38 miles back to our home.
Do you think I can expect an apology from the manufacturer?
Unfortunately the van had other plans for us with a severe mechanical failure after just 38 miles into the trip.
After a swift tow off the motorway in just twenty minutes it took 6 more hours to complete the 38 miles back to our home.
Do you think I can expect an apology from the manufacturer?
Ouch that's pretty unfortunate.
I wouldn't expect much from the conversion manufacturer though as they just buy the chassis bit in from Fiat/Ford etc
Working in the trade I think I've had more breakdowns in new vans then second hand ones over the years.
Now the vans come in from the converter already mechanically pdi'd they can then sit around at dealers/factory's for up to 6 months before going out to the end user without another mechanical check, not a good thing.
I wouldn't expect much from the conversion manufacturer though as they just buy the chassis bit in from Fiat/Ford etc
Working in the trade I think I've had more breakdowns in new vans then second hand ones over the years.
Now the vans come in from the converter already mechanically pdi'd they can then sit around at dealers/factory's for up to 6 months before going out to the end user without another mechanical check, not a good thing.
What was the actual failure? That may influence the replies you get. Either way, it's a real downer on what should've been a great day. Hope you poured yourself a large one when you got home finally.
Toa degree as well, what do YOU want to happen? Would you be happy with an apology? (too many organisations forget that quite often that's all that's needed but the lawyers won't let them & then lines in the sand get dug), some free servicing? A bottle of wine? Reject the MH for full refund? Head on a stick?
Toa degree as well, what do YOU want to happen? Would you be happy with an apology? (too many organisations forget that quite often that's all that's needed but the lawyers won't let them & then lines in the sand get dug), some free servicing? A bottle of wine? Reject the MH for full refund? Head on a stick?
An apology would be nice as would an upgrade to a 3 year recovery service (standard 12 months) to match the 3 year mechanical warranty. This really should, in theory, cost them nothing as I understand from the AA patrols that it is a pay as you go service.
Stiff drink...If only I could have kept my eyes open as it took just shy of 7 hours to get back home (38 miles) with the AA.
The MH is with the dealer right now and am waiting for confirmation of fault and I shall update.
Stiff drink...If only I could have kept my eyes open as it took just shy of 7 hours to get back home (38 miles) with the AA.
The MH is with the dealer right now and am waiting for confirmation of fault and I shall update.
Laner said:
Bill, I am happy to be corrected but I am led to believe all cab warranty issues have to be taken up directly with manufacturer not the MH dealer that sold the vehicle.
The MH is currently with the manufacturer awaiting appraisal.
I have a problem with the DPF on a Ducato base vehicle. My MH dealership are doing all the liaison with Fiat. Bill is correct: your contract is with the MH dealership NOT the supplier of the cab.The MH is currently with the manufacturer awaiting appraisal.
nagsheadwarrior said:
Working in the trade I think I've had more breakdowns in new vans then second hand ones over the years.
Now the vans come in from the converter already mechanically pdi'd they can then sit around at dealers/factory's for up to 6 months before going out to the end user without another mechanical check, not a good thing.
Its called weibull distribution. Most high volume engineered products have a higher failure rate when new and then the failure rate will again increase towards the end of the design life.Now the vans come in from the converter already mechanically pdi'd they can then sit around at dealers/factory's for up to 6 months before going out to the end user without another mechanical check, not a good thing.
Another reason why I won't buy new cars - let the first owner take care of all the issues.....
Laner said:
Well the gearbox has had a terminal internal failure and will be replaced, fingers crossed within the next 7 days.
I am still going to push for extended year 2 and 3 breakdown cover. The conversion manufacturer has not been in contact at all.
Crikey - what is the base vehicle?I am still going to push for extended year 2 and 3 breakdown cover. The conversion manufacturer has not been in contact at all.
I agree - if you don't ask, you don't get.
And if you MH is fitted with a DPF then make sure you give it a good ragging every time you are on the motorway as the engines are not designed for the kind of use that MH owners give them.
Cripes, in 11 years I the trade I've never had a total gearbox meltdown and as far as I've found out none of my customers have either that's mega unlucky.
Sadly with anything there's always a chance and there's not really any way of predicting that.
I think there's minimal chance of any recompense but as said if you don't ask you don't get.
If you don't get owt I'd take it on the chin and don't let it put you off the van, you hit a very unlucky glitch, it got scooped up, diagnosed and hopefully will get fixed pretty quickly under the warranty so I'm not seeing any really bad service there.
In fairness, my uncle bought a 3 year old BMW X5 from a main dealer last year.
As soon as he picked it up, he noticed the car was pulling to the left (which he hadn't noticed on several test drives prior to purchase).
Obviously it came with the normal 12 month warranty.
Anyway, he took it back and ended up having a courtesy car for over 6 weeks whilst they tried to sort the problem. They replaced the entire front drive train, new wheels, brakes, everything.
Eventually they just replaced everything they possibly could to eliminate the problem - which it did. But they never did really work out what the issue was. They even put a set of brand new 19" tyres on all round.
My uncle caused a fuss, and they gave him a full 2 year warranty on top of the 12 months.
Moral of the story - you don't ask, you don't get!
As soon as he picked it up, he noticed the car was pulling to the left (which he hadn't noticed on several test drives prior to purchase).
Obviously it came with the normal 12 month warranty.
Anyway, he took it back and ended up having a courtesy car for over 6 weeks whilst they tried to sort the problem. They replaced the entire front drive train, new wheels, brakes, everything.
Eventually they just replaced everything they possibly could to eliminate the problem - which it did. But they never did really work out what the issue was. They even put a set of brand new 19" tyres on all round.
My uncle caused a fuss, and they gave him a full 2 year warranty on top of the 12 months.
Moral of the story - you don't ask, you don't get!
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