Habitation test/service??

[Zacshoomans]

Hi newbie here.
We’ve just bought a 6 year old Bürstner from a dealer. They told us that they would perform a habitation service and MOT etc before we collected it - but they haven’t given us any paperwork.
I was assuming that there would be some kind of paperwork, a certificate even, explaining the checks that they had performed - is this not the case?
Is there a standard for ‘habitation service’ - or does it very much depend on the dealer? What should we assume that they have checked?

Thanks
Sian

 

[596]

These are some items, I am sure others will be along to add more:

Damp
Use specialist equipment to check for damp ingress and identify any issues, so they can be addressed before they become costly major problems.

Underbody
Check all corner steadies and folding steps for operation and stability, along with checking the condition and security of all underslung tanks and pipes.

Electrical Systems
Check all electrical systems for issues, including charging circuit operation, battery condition, lighting and sockets, fuses/circuit breakers and RCDs.

Gas Systems
Check for dangerous and potentially lethal gas issues and problems, including hose age and condition, leakages, ventilation and appliance testing.

Water Systems
Check your vehicle’s fresh water system to ensure it is bacteria- and leak-free and the tank, filter, pump, pressure switch, taps, shower and toilet are working correctly.

Ventilation
Thoroughly check vehicles windows, roof lights and vents to ensure they are free from blockages or obstructions and allow free flow of fresh air.

Fire and Safety
Carry out a full and thorough test of all fire and safety measures, including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and fire blankets.

Bodywork
Check all body panels, locks and hinges, body attachments, rising roofs, windows, seals and furniture for condition, operation and security.

 

[138go]

A lot will depend on what your Water Ingress Guarantee is with Burstner. None of the foreign manufacturers insist on habitation services. It's only the UK manufacturers that insist on a full habitation service just to line the pockets of their dealers. It's one of the reasons it takes so long to get things repaired because all the dealers are so busy doing habitation checks. It's not a service they just wander round trying to find things that need fixing. Then it's a sorry sir not covered under warranty or you will have to bring it back again as we didn't have time to do that or we need permission from the manufacturer.

 

[138go]

These are some items, I am sure others will be along to add more:

Damp
Use specialist equipment to check for damp ingress and identify any issues, so they can be addressed before they become costly major problems.

Underbody
Check all corner steadies and folding steps for operation and stability, along with checking the condition and security of all underslung tanks and pipes.

Electrical Systems
Check all electrical systems for issues, including charging circuit operation, battery condition, lighting and sockets, fuses/circuit breakers and RCDs.

Gas Systems
Check for dangerous and potentially lethal gas issues and problems, including hose age and condition, leakages, ventilation and appliance testing.

Water Systems
Check your vehicle’s fresh water system to ensure it is bacteria- and leak-free and the tank, filter, pump, pressure switch, taps, shower and toilet are working correctly.

Ventilation
Thoroughly check vehicles windows, roof lights and vents to ensure they are free from blockages or obstructions and allow free flow of fresh air.

Fire and Safety
Carry out a full and thorough test of all fire and safety measures, including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and fire blankets.

Bodywork
Check all body panels, locks and hinges, body attachments, rising roofs, windows, seals and furniture for condition, operation and security.

Do you really think they do that ....

 

[596]

Do you really think they do that ....

I just answered the OP, I can assure you that I will not be paying the mafia for 10 years at £350 plus inflation and time spent taking it to a dealer to check basic things, I will be checking all these items every time I get in it, I love checking things As said earlier there will probably always be a reason something is not covered when you come to claim!

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[Stonegrey]

I recently bought a 20 year old mirage a class, that had supposedly only just had a habitation service and MOT.

The amount of things that they didn't report on the paperwork was worrying, like the fact that the fridge didn't work properly on gas, most of the interior light switches didn't work and that the tyres were 10 years old and incorrect for the vehicle. It worked in my favour, as I was able to negotiate a sizable amount off the asking price.

All these this were easy to remedy and apart from the tyres (£135 each) I did myself.

 

[Bernie P]

You should have been given an MOT certificate. It's an official form, not optional. Think you can check the MOT status online but not sure where exactly.

If the guys carrying out the habitation service are an National Caravan Council "Approved Workshop" you should have been given the following on completion

1. Motorhome Annual Habitation Service Check Sheet
2. AWS Motorhome Habitation Damp Report
3. Motorhome Annual Habitation Finalisation and Observation report

If they haven't provided them then I would doubt they've done anything!

You can check if they are an approved Workshop by going to workshops.co.uk

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

You should have paperwork that covers
A Mot certificate
A damp check report which shows an outline of a van, bothesides and top with damp meter readings along the edges windows and door.
A habitation check certificate which should be as a minimum ticked off boxes that have checked, gas, water pump, water level indicator, lighting, switches, fridge working on gas, electric and 12v,battery charge levels, heating working, fans working, hot water working, taps working, internal alarms, smoke and carbon monoxide, gas drop vents not obstructed, cooker lights and flame OK, hob rings light up and flame OK. Plus hosts of other items

 

[MikeD]

MOT check with DVLA:

Check the MOT status of a vehicle

Find out the MOT test status of a vehicle - check the date of the MOT test and the expiry date of an MOT test pass.

www.gov.uk

And yes you should have paperwork for the Habitation check.

What is a habitation service? - Practical Motorhome

An annual motorhome habitation check is essential to preserve any warranty and ensure that your ’van is in a safe condition, ready for your next adventure

www.practicalmotorhome.com

Have you downloaded Jim buyers guide. I think it is free for members.

 

[Pausim]

My habitation checks have always been accompanied by a very comprehensive report.

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[Dogeared]

Have you any warranty with your purchase. If so and there is no paperwork. Find a local dealer who will do a proper damp check, possibly look for a local motorhome owner who can help you go through the normal checks. It can be very costly to leave it. 're the MOT, you should be able to check that yourself online. As 596 has said, do that thorough check up for your own piece of mind.

 

[DaveandJen]

If a habitation check has been carried out correctly you should have received paperwork like I've scanned below as photos signed by the engineer on the dealers paperwork (dealer not shown here) showing a true account of the damp levels found and the items checked and any work required to correct problems. A history of yearly habitation reports carried out by the supplying manufacturers dealer or other authorised dealerships may be required if looking to claim for water ingress in later years when making a warranty claim and goes a long way when selling a motorhome / panel van.

 

[Bessy765]

Hi we have just taken delivery of a brand new Burstner. It has a ten year damp ingress warranty (from Burstner) the terms and conditions state that the van must have a approved dealer damp check annually to preserve the warranty.

 

[Vipar]

Check the tyres for cracking I pointed them out to the dealer he put 2 new ones on. Pipes to load FW hookup cable. Take it for a test drive 10 miles minimum check warning lights on dashboard. Take a note pad and write down how everything works. I didn’t do this and had to drive 50 miles back to ask loads of questions. I took a dictaphone and recorded my questions and the technicians answers.

 

[tonyidle]

MoT "Certificates " as such no longer exist. What is normally issued by the MoT station is a simple printout. The only definitive record of an MoT and its result is on the Government website.