Hab inspection - what a waste of time/money!

[RichardandKaren]

After owning our m/h for 3 years I was persuaded by someone "with experience" that we should have a Hab inspection done as we hadn't already done so. The van is 2004 and as far as I was aware had no problems. So, £120 later I am in possession of a form that says there's no damp, all the appliances work, all the window blinds etc work, there are no gas leaks, the boiler draws x amount of amps and the fridge draws y amount of amps and another numberof other realitively useless facts. I have my own damp meter and a basic multi meter and together with the fact that there has never been a smell of gas I knew all this already!

I'm not saying that the inspection chap did anything wrong but I just feel like an idiot for commissioning the test in the first place. Unless you have to have this done for a manufacturers warranty then I simply don't see the point ( unless of course you cannot be bothered to buy a £15 da mp meter and a £5 multi meter).

Lesson learned though and I won't be bothering again.

 

[Kingham]

My warranty is just about up.... guess what I won’t be paying for this year ?

 

[CazPaul]

Yes but you could argue it's like going to the doctors only to be told there's nothing wrong with you, good news.
if there been something wrong then would it still have been a waste of money?

 

[Googlebot]

I agree, £250 for my Caravan which was still under warranty. To be told everything works. Well, I could tell you that! Ha ha

 

[Lenny HB]

I've never had a hab check on a van, nothing I can't do myself. Only have the damp check done to keep the warranty.

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[Campervan_man]

Motorhomes and Caravans do slowly age, wear and deteriorate. To have a no issues report is good. The report will be of use if and when you decide to upgrade, px plus for your peace of mind etc.
Most Dealership's allocate around 3 hours to a technician to carry out a Habitation Check.
You do come across some bad and dangerous snags when checking over leisure vehicles both NEW and USED. I carry out Habitation Checks as a self employed Mobile Tech but prefer to fit Solar Panels, Inverters, Chinese Diesel Air Heaters, satellites, awnings, skylights etc
I decided to buy 2 new truck tyres today as they were dated, perished, cut and a valve was leaking.
£180 I will never see again but at least they 'should' be safe on the road.

 

[Just smiffy]

We are brainwashed by dealers that hab checks are essential in fleecing your money....

 

[Neckender]

My 2014 Auto Sleeper Broadway was riddled with damp in the rear at 2 1/2 years old had it fixed under warranty and got rid of it.

John.

 

[Anthea M]

If we hadn’t had habitation damp checks on our first two Italian vans we wouldn’t have known that water ingress had occurred . The damp was repaired and we could sell on .

 

[Two on Tour]

I decided to buy 2 new truck tyres today as they were dated, perished, cut and a valve was leaking.
£180 I will never see again but at least they 'should' be safe on the road.

I take that you did not get anybody in to tell you to change your tyres and that it was a common sense decision made by yourself, and as such you sort of shot yourself in the foot regarding the need to pay for others to have a habitation check when on the whole common sense will tell most motorhome owners if something is amiss with their van.

I'm not against habitation checks and they have a place for those that don't have the know how or would prefer to pay for the professional to give them the all clear, but my gripe is the strong arm tactics by the converters forcing you to have a and pay for a hab check to keep your guarantee which to me says that they have no confidence in their product, after all you don't need an MOT for 3 years when you buy a new car or van.

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[Odd-no-more]

I have never had one done, I have only bought 1 MoHo from a dealer and when I checked the warranty terms I decided the cost was more than the benefit. When I sold the MoHo to a dealer the dealer asked about service history of the van but didn't ask about a Hab check

 

[Nixdorfer]

As this is our first year its good to hear they aren't a requirement for insurance or anything.

Had a nagging thought it was something would have to get done and fork out for.

Will download the checklist and just do it myself then.

 

[PeteH]

I had a hab check, from the dealer when we bought the Rapido. I have had a Damp Meter for many years, Their Dealer hab check showed OK. I found the damp in about 10 min. They resealed a seam after I had a "go" at them.

 

[Lenny HB]

If we hadn’t had habitation damp checks on our first two Italian vans we wouldn’t have known that water ingress had occurred . The damp was repaired and we could sell on .

Habitation and damp check are 2 different things, hence we just have the damp check done.

 

[Anthea M]

Habitation and damp check are 2 different things, hence we just have the damp check done.

Ours seem to be done together.

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[Parrot Face]

I had caravans for over 25yrs and never had a habitation check/service done so to some extent I can see your point of view. However for some reason I get some peace of mind knowing that everything is tested and fine. I'm not an expert in electrics and gas and acknowledge that just using my own eyes isn't enough to guarantee my safety.

 

[sonny]

I havery had the habitation check the last 2years to keep the warranty in force but a few months age I was getting a false reading on the waste tank sensor took it in for a replacement and Sargent said out of warranty but swift sent the new sensor but will not pay the labour, van reg 2017 under 3 years old so much for warranty.

 

[Mikeco]

Had 3 new vans over the years and never had a habitation check done but always had the damp check done during the warranty’s period. Not having this check did not affect the warranty,

 

[pagey]

I've never had a hab check on a van, nothing I can't do myself. Only have the damp check done to keep the warranty.

Me too got my damp check next month for the warranty I can work out what works and what dont

 

[Allanm]

It’s like taking your car for an mot knowing there is nothing wrong with it.
( ok, I know it’s a legal requirement but you get a similar feeling afterwards)

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[M-J]

I’ve just had one as our 12 months used MH warranty was just about to run out and wanted to get any bits done while it was there, it does seem to be a lot of money but put did my mind at ease and in my view helps with the resale/trade in value as it's had one every year from new.

IF we still have it in a years time the plan will be to get a damp check and Alde heating service. The other bits I am happy to check myself.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Never had ours done. It's 6 years old in July so we're up £900 ish ??

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Dad owned a Hymer 544 from new in 1990. Paid more for it than we did for our first house!
That aside...he took it in for the first 12 months for its one and only main service at that time. He never did have it habitation serviced from that day onwards and he owned it up until 1997. He then sold it to a gent down south who had it Habitation serviced prior to buying it. It fled through with No problems at all!
So with that in mind...two things really....1) Hymer were excellent when built then and 2) saved a fortune on services he did not need.
I know he always carried out the engine and chassis servicing but never did have anyone come in and do it for him.

Kev

 

[busby]

Yes but you could argue it's like going to the doctors only to be told there's nothing wrong with you, good news.
if there been something wrong then would it still have been a waste of money?

But the doctors is free,,BUSBY.

 

[busby]

It’s like taking your car for an mot knowing there is nothing wrong with it.
( ok, I know it’s a legal requirement but you get a similar feeling afterwards)

40 pounds at the side of 150 plus pounds,,,BUSBY,,

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[jezport]

Sometimes prevention and piece of mind is better than curing problems later.
I think that a gas and electrical safety test every year is worth having. A lot of movement and vibration on the road can cause all sorts of issues.

 

[CazPaul]

But the doctors is free,,BUSBY.

Yes I agree but why pay for a hab check initially and when they say everything is fine say it's a rip off
If you think it's a rip off then don't pay for one initially.

 

[Two on Tour]

Yes but you could argue it's like going to the doctors only to be told there's nothing wrong with you, good news.

You wonder why doctors appointments are days and weeks to get one when you are going to the doctors knowing there is nothing wrong with you but wanting the doctor to confirm it.

 

[Campervan_man]

I'm self employed. I did a Habitation service the other week on an N reg Hymer. The external belly lockers and Habitation door wouldn't open until I lubricated the locks. The belly locker shoot bolt needed packing out as it fell inside the mechanism when closed. His faulty electro-block 240V charger had been previously replaced with an under powered 240V basic charger that was over heating. He had 12V lights not working. Seized roof light mechanisms. Broken blinds. Broken external door retaining catches. I'm not a fan of Dealerships Myself which is why I am self-employed. The Technician is usually paid around £10PH at a Dealership if they are lucky.
Dealers mainly make their money from sales, cancelled orders, lost deposits, finance company kick backs, insurance referrals etc.
It's a leisure 'Industry'. Sometimes Dealer's lose money, sometimes they make money. They have good sales show's and bad show's.
People including myself can always buy privately and fix faults on a DIY basis or pay a Dealer, it's a choice issue. If a van has damp it will be damp wherever You buy it from.
Whenever I buy a van for Myself I check it over thoroughly before buying and would encourage others to do so themselves.

 

[busby]

Yes I agree but why pay for a hab check initially and when they say everything is fine say it's a rip off
If you think it's a rip off then don't pay for one initially.

Never ever had one ever..BUSBY.

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