Buying a second hand motorhome (1 Viewer)

Welsh girl

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 7, 2009
3,658
3,036
Funster No
9,222
MH
Globecar
Exp
Since 2004
We have negotiated a deal to buy a used motorhome from a dealer,put a deposit down but on a second look found what I think is a damp patch in the ceiling. Above the sink at the rear of the motorhome. On mentioning this to the dealer they then showed me the damp check they did when receiving the vehicle in for part X. No sign of damp in the aforementioned place.
It's an 09 autotrail cheyenne.
They are sending another expert in today to confirm their findings. We put a deposit of £2000 before finding this. Do I have to continue with purchase or lose my deposit if I don't?
We had a nightmare with a previous damp problem with a swift voyager we had losing lots of money off loading it so don't want another nightmare like it.
The dealer is local to us in Somerset and has confirmed that they are transparent and would deal with any problems should they occur in the warranty period of 12 months.
 
Last edited:

Phillybarbour

Free Member
Feb 2, 2013
270
216
West Lancs
Funster No
24,523
MH
Globecar Campscout Revo.
Exp
Since 2010
I would not rely on a damp test that the dealer carries out. Ask for your money back. If they refuse carry out your own damp test and if it's damp then demand your money back. Act now NOT after you've bought and paid for it in full.

As you already know damp is a killer to motorhomes.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Scout

LIFE MEMBER
Apr 4, 2009
3,949
119,136
South Yorkshire
Funster No
6,145
MH
chic c line
Exp
12 years motorhoming, a lifetime of living
do not belive, we will fix it afterwards, buy your own damp meter learn how to use it.

If theres a problem with the m/h they shpuld refund your deposit, dont let them fob you off with transfering it to another van you may not really want
 
OP
OP
Welsh girl

Welsh girl

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 7, 2009
3,658
3,036
Funster No
9,222
MH
Globecar
Exp
Since 2004
Thanks for the replies.
I've just emailed a local independent caravan repairer to carry out a damp inspection and damp report as I don't rely on myself to get a correct result.
Plus I think an expert report would hold more clout than just my say so.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

tonka

LIFE MEMBER
Jul 2, 2008
10,776
21,396
Cannock, Staffs
Funster No
3,141
MH
A class Burstner 800
Exp
Since 2000
Thanks for the replies.
I've just emailed a local independent caravan repairer to carry out a damp inspection and damp report as I don't rely on myself to get a correct result.
Plus I think an expert report would hold more clout than just my say so.

Very wise move.. could be £100 very well spent.. worst case it's cost you some cash but a big saving on all the hassle if you went ahead and the van had ongoing issues.
 
Oct 7, 2013
5,850
36,679
South Wales
Funster No
28,463
MH
Swift Escape Compact
Exp
Since 1988
Thanks for the replies.
I've just emailed a local independent caravan repairer to carry out a damp inspection and damp report as I don't rely on myself to get a correct result.
Plus I think an expert report would hold more clout than just my say so.
I think you are handling this in totally the right way.

As long as the repairer is independent you will have a very strong bargaining point if damp is found.

I hope it works out for you. If they are reluctant to play ball use the Small Claims Court. I would think they would throw in the towel rather than try to defend the indefensible.

It's for that reason that I have all annual servicing, damp checks etc. carried out by my local, independent, workshop. The supplying dealer has reason not to find damp in their checks. Sad, but true.
 
Feb 24, 2013
12,980
101,084
Bolsover, Derbyshire
Funster No
24,833
MH
Hymer S800
Exp
not long enough
Good luck with this,

one scenario that could become hard to resolve, what if the MH had damp that was properly repaired but the stained internal panel wasn't swapped, so no damp is now present, but it still shows the signs

that would have a been a bad (lazy) repair in the first place, so thinking it through the repair may not be the best either

best of luck

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Oct 29, 2008
5,012
5,771
West Yorkshire
Funster No
4,712
MH
PVC
Exp
since 2008
If It looks damp there is or has been an issue. If they didnt tell you about it before you paid the deposit they should give you the deposit back.
If you paid by credit card you can contact the card company for help.

We looked at a number of British vans and could have bought a new one for the price we paid for our used Frankia as we were amazed at some of the poor quality stuff we saw around. Its a shame as I would have rather bought British.
 

hilldweller

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 5, 2008
605
36,106
Macclesfield
Funster No
5,089
MH
Zilch Mk1
Exp
From Aug 2007
what I think is a damp patch in the ceiling.

Search on here for Damp Meter - non contact - about £25 off ebay, then do your own check.

Ah - seen your "I can't do it" post. Maybe not a proper full report but these meters will give a simple "25%" immediate result with the dealer standing next to you.
 
OP
OP
Welsh girl

Welsh girl

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 7, 2009
3,658
3,036
Funster No
9,222
MH
Globecar
Exp
Since 2004
Search on here for Damp Meter - non contact - about £25 off ebay, then do your own check.

Ah - seen your "I can't do it" post. Maybe not a proper full report but these meters will give a simple "25%" immediate result with the dealer standing next to you.

Thanks for that, I've got a price of £50 from an independent caravan repair specialist who will do a report that can be acted upon if the dealer gets awkward with a result of damp and won't give my deposit back and go to the small claims court as suggested on here.
I don't want to go down that route but will if necessary as we lost over £20,000 with a previous van that had damp problems.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Anthea M

Free Member
Deceased RIP
Oct 18, 2015
9,501
165,134
Sheffield
Funster No
39,598
MH
Hobby
Exp
Since 2009
That sounds a great idea. And so sorry about your previous van .That's a terrible amount of money to loose .
Hymer owners on here all seem to say they don't have damp problems so perhaps that make may be best. Good luck.
 

Phillybarbour

Free Member
Feb 2, 2013
270
216
West Lancs
Funster No
24,523
MH
Globecar Campscout Revo.
Exp
Since 2010
No brand has a100% no damp record, but you will struggle to beat Hymers record. Some people will critise everything but Hymers are very good.
ps I don't have a Hymer
 
Jul 12, 2013
3,840
5,208
The City of Henlow
Funster No
26,906
MH
Adria Supreme
Exp
Since 1980
Sadly the British seem to make vans of sometimes dubious quality, aiming at low prices rather than longevity. Swift have in the past been prime examples from their leaky Kontiki to the disastrous floors where repair costs could be astronomical. According to their latest ads, they no longer use wood in their floors and walls (I wonder why) but still produce internal doors that seem to only meet in the middle. Autotrail do not carry the same history as Swift but I would rather play safe and buy German.
This topic is always contentious for many people will have bought Swift and had little or no problems but as vans are very expensive, I would rather play safe.
 

Scout

LIFE MEMBER
Apr 4, 2009
3,949
119,136
South Yorkshire
Funster No
6,145
MH
chic c line
Exp
12 years motorhoming, a lifetime of living
I wonder whether the bad rep of British vans is down to the bigger market share %wise they have over individual foreign made vans, there seems me to there are lots more British built out there. It would be interesting if somebody did a comparison of damp/faulty van complaints by % market share.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
Welsh girl

Welsh girl

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 7, 2009
3,658
3,036
Funster No
9,222
MH
Globecar
Exp
Since 2004
No brand has a100% no damp record, but you will struggle to beat Hymers record. Some people will critise everything but Hymers are very good.
ps I don't have a Hymer
I would love a hymer but prefer the English layouts.
We spend a lot of time in the van and wouldn't like to Sit at a dinette alll day especially here in the uk with all our wet weather.
It is our home and I wouldn't like to sit in the kitchen all day either.
I have searched for 3 years looking for a hymer with bench seats under 3.5t with a garage. Under 7 mtrs. In our price range but been unable to find one we decided that we liked the layout of the cheyenne and compromised on the garage.
We have ordered bike racks for our bikes.
We like the quality of autotrail which is an 09 model. We currently have an 07 Autosleeper which we think is on a par with the quality of autotrail.
All newish vans seem to have bad press concerning their quality recently
We really don't want to make another costly mistake so hopefully by getting a damp report will stop that happening.
 

Dave K

Free Member
Mar 24, 2015
1,311
2,477
Somerset
Funster No
35,561
MH
Pilote P740C
Exp
Since 2013
I would love a hymer but prefer the English layouts.
We spend a lot of time in the van and wouldn't like to Sit at a dinette alll day especially here in the uk with all our wet weather.
It is our home and I wouldn't like to sit in the kitchen all day either.
I have searched for 3 years looking for a hymer with bench seats under 3.5t with a garage. Under 7 mtrs. In our price range but been unable to find one we decided that we liked the layout of the cheyenne and compromised on the garage.
We have ordered bike racks for our bikes.
We like the quality of autotrail which is an 09 model. We currently have an 07 Autosleeper which we think is on a par with the quality of autotrail.
All newish vans seem to have bad press concerning their quality recently
We really don't want to make another costly mistake so hopefully by getting a damp report will stop that happening.

You're the same as us, I'd like a foreign van but they don't do a comfortable layout in our opinion, and many don't have decent cooking facilities. I know you're local to me, just wondered who the dealership is as we had a bad experience with our first van but I doubt it's the same place because they only offered 6 months warranty, good luck with it anyway (y)
 
OP
OP
Welsh girl

Welsh girl

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 7, 2009
3,658
3,036
Funster No
9,222
MH
Globecar
Exp
Since 2004
Damp report came back with slight damp in the place I suspected but fixable and dealer has said it would be fixed. Caused by roof light leaking.
The company that did the report assured me that many vans at that age ,09, has some damp but as long as it's sorted it wouldn't be a cause for concern.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

hilldweller

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 5, 2008
605
36,106
Macclesfield
Funster No
5,089
MH
Zilch Mk1
Exp
From Aug 2007
The company that did the report assured me that many vans at that age ,09, has some damp but as long as it's sorted it wouldn't be a cause for concern.

Sorted then.

But still buy the damp meter and keep checking, no matter what you buy.
 
OP
OP
Welsh girl

Welsh girl

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 7, 2009
3,658
3,036
Funster No
9,222
MH
Globecar
Exp
Since 2004
Sorted then.

But still buy the damp meter and keep checking, no matter what you buy.
Thanks I will plus get another report'maybe' before the end of the warranty period.
Perhaps I'll get more experienced with the damp meter by then that I won't have to have the report.
 

hilldweller

LIFE MEMBER
Dec 5, 2008
605
36,106
Macclesfield
Funster No
5,089
MH
Zilch Mk1
Exp
From Aug 2007
Perhaps I'll get more experienced with the damp meter by then that I won't have to have the report.

I am not saying don't get hab reports but to have a damp meter in a drawer and give a quick swipe when a bit bored is extra insurance and not only eases your mind but might catch some damp before it does any damage.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
OP
OP
Welsh girl

Welsh girl

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 7, 2009
3,658
3,036
Funster No
9,222
MH
Globecar
Exp
Since 2004
Hi JJ, yes well be visiting Portugal this winter, I'm getting withdrawal symptoms from your banter, I've heard you have a 'new' bike,watch out while leaving it outside the supermarket!
 

Anthea M

Free Member
Deceased RIP
Oct 18, 2015
9,501
165,134
Sheffield
Funster No
39,598
MH
Hobby
Exp
Since 2009
Damp report came back with slight damp in the place I suspected but fixable and dealer has said it would be fixed. Caused by roof light leaking.
The company that did the report assured me that many vans at that age ,09, has some damp but as long as it's sorted it wouldn't be a cause for concern.
Good news , our previous dealer sorted the damp under warrenty and insisted we bring it back after 3 months for a further check at their expense , so perhaps you could ask for that.
took a while to find I kept getting Towing in the dark? not the same thing at all.

here's the link for others



yes very poinant, numbed me bit,

@Welsh girl , Welsh girl I'm sorry you have another quote totally un related I can't seem to delete it from yours ! Ignore( it's my husbands band and a memorial to the Somme pals not appropriate for your thread sorry!)

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Last edited:
OP
OP
Welsh girl

Welsh girl

LIFE MEMBER
Nov 7, 2009
3,658
3,036
Funster No
9,222
MH
Globecar
Exp
Since 2004
Well, we are at the open weekend in somerset and we called in the weighbridge to weigh us all packed up with me included and we're 3620kilo, we are supposed to be 3500 kilo, so 120 kilo overweight.
We currently have 635 payload but after enquiring about the payload on the new/used van we are supposed to collect on Tuesday I decided it best not to go ahead with the purchase.
We have spent the last weeks dumping stuff we no longer need or have used for the last 3 years and we're still overweight.
Serious offloading still needed.
Sales man not too happy and suggested him taking new van to weighbridge Monday, hopefully making the weight workable but as is only 380kilo payload I am seriously sceptical.
Not too sure about the £2000 deposit on the van, he and we are hoping something to our liking is taken in part X this weekend to be able to do a deal.
Anyone know what should happen with the deposit in these circumstances?
We are quite sad about this as the van was lovely but I cannot in all conscience continue with the purchase knowing how overweight we would be by around 300 kilo.
As it is we have to dump 120kilo, somehow!
 

Langtoftlad

LIFE MEMBER
Apr 12, 2011
8,824
148,261
Langtoft, South Lincs
Funster No
16,024
MH
WildAx Aurora FB [PVC]
Exp
Since 2015
Have you considered possible plate uprating of existing or new van - if your licence allows?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Funsters who are viewing this thread

Back
Top