Habitation check before buying? (1 Viewer)

streetdaddy

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Mar 13, 2011
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I'm a newbie
I'm a complete newbie and have been searching for the right secondhand motorhome for months... Finally I have been able to decide the size and features that I really want and I have found a few that I'm keen to make an offer on...

I had always planned to get an AA check done, but I've only just realised that they don't do any inspection of the habitation area. I'm a especially worried about water ingress and I'm not sure I have the skills or knowledge to do a comprehensive check myself... So a couple of questions I would appreciate any help with!
  1. Is it advisable to get a habitation check done before buying a second hand motorhome? Most likely more than 10 years old.
  2. Can anyone suggest a mobile habitation check service for a motorhome in the Greater London area? (south of the city)

Thanks in advance for any help!

ps. Sorry if this topic has been discussed many times on here, I'm not able to search the forums just yet...
 

Scout

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Apr 4, 2009
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12 years motorhoming, a lifetime of living
I'm a complete newbie and have been searching for the right secondhand motorhome for months... Finally I have been able to decide the size and features that I really want and I have found a few that I'm keen to make an offer on...


I had always planned to get an AA check done, but I've only just realised that they don't do any inspection of the habitation area. I'm a especially worried about water ingress and I'm not sure I have the skills or knowledge to do a comprehensive check myself... So a couple of questions I would appreciate any help with!
  1. Is it advisable to get a habitation check done before buying a second hand motorhome? Most likely more than 10 years old.
  2. Can anyone suggest a mobile habitation check service for a motorhome in the Greater London area? (south of the city)
Thanks in advance for any help!

ps. Sorry if this topic has been discussed many times on here, I'm not able to search the forums just yet...

try here :Link Removed

there not cheap but do a good job
 
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pappajohn

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Aug 26, 2007
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sorry i cant suggest anyone but yes, if its a private seller then a hab service/check would be a good idea.
ask the seller to have it done if its a definate purchase.(subject to satifactory check)
if not, once you've bought it you could be in for a large repair bill and the seller will disappear.

if its a dealer sale then it should have been done and documented...if not then ask them to do it prior to buying.

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streetdaddy

streetdaddy

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Mar 13, 2011
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London
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I'm a newbie
try here :Link Removed

there not cheap but do a good job

Thanks for the link ... even AA is almost 200 quid without habitation check so that's not to bad in my opinion, especially given how comprehensive the MACIC inspection is in comparison to AA's...
 
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streetdaddy

streetdaddy

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Mar 13, 2011
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London
Funster No
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Coachbuilt
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I'm a newbie
ask the seller to have it done if its a definate purchase.(subject to satifactory check)

All are private sales, and to be honest I've not asked if they've had hab checks and haven't seen it in any of the papers... added it to my list of questions! personally i'm thinking i'd get better piece of mind if I had one done myself anyway... when I'm handing over a large wad of cash I think I would prefer to know how it checks out right now.

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pappajohn

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one other major question for the seller.....

when was the cambelt last changed.

depending on year and engine size it should be replaced every 4 or 5 years....or around 80,000 miles, whichever comes first but almost sure to be time related on a motorhome.

current costs are between around £250 (independant garage) and £400 (main dealer)

engine rebuild after a belt failure.....no change from £1200 and probably more.
 
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pappajohn

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Aug 26, 2007
43,207
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Dark side of the moon
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Since 2005
ask the seller to have it done if its a definate purchase.(subject to satifactory check)

All are private sales, and to be honest I've not asked if they've had hab checks and haven't seen it in any of the papers... added it to my list of questions! personally i'm thinking i'd get better piece of mind if I had one done myself anyway... when I'm handing over a large wad of cash I think I would prefer to know how it checks out right now.
then offer to pay for the check personally before you commit to buy.

damp is a motorhome killer and can cost thousands to correct....if it even can be !
 
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Peter JohnsCross MH

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Jan 5, 2008
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1995
Come to me and not only do you get a full service and a hab check but the next four years hab checks are FREE !:thumb:

Peter

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