Looking at a Arto 69 GL with a cracked windscreen (1 Viewer)

[Edenside]

We have viewed a Arto 69 GL year 2007 but it has a crack in the windscreen. The dealer say they are experiencing difficulty sourcing a windscreen so the van may have to be driven to Germany for a replacement.
I just wondered if anyone had been to the factory in Germany and is it possible to get a windscreen there bearing in mind it is a 2007 vehicle. Also any idea of cost.
This is also putting us off looking at A class vehicles as we could possibly have the same problem with other makes.

 

[Grasmere9]

We have viewed a Arto 69 GL year 2007 but it has a crack in the windscreen. The dealer say they are experiencing difficulty sourcing a windscreen so the van may have to be driven to Germany for a replacement.
I just wondered if anyone had been to the factory in Germany and is it possible to get a windscreen there bearing in mind it is a 2007 vehicle. Also any idea of cost.
This is also putting us off looking at A class vehicles as we could possibly have the same problem with other makes.

Flairy have you any words of wisdom?? No experience personally but I do know that we have unlimited windscreen cover for our Arto. Where is the one that you are looking at?

 

[tonyidle]

Talk to Autoglass. They've sourced two for me - both A class.

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[Edenside]

According to the dealer they have tried numerous sources. The van is in Lancashire

 

[Brains]

A class windscreens often have a price tag of around £3,000.
By the time you have paid VAT, shipping costs and now the new import charges that could easily be £5k.

Therefore it may well be cheaper to hop on a ferry to Germany and get it fitted and only pay the local cost in Euros.
You could save a couple of grand. Makes the trip well worth while.

There are many in the south east who have their vans regularly serviced in garages in Belgium as it's easier and cheaper.
The only downside for you is an extra 200 miles of driving each way

 

[pappajohn]

According to the dealer they have tried numerous sources. The van is in Lancashire

The dealer won't be trying very hard bearing in mind the cost of a screen... Maybe a couple of thousand quid or more

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[Nanniemate]

You could suggest you drive the van at their expense to get it fixed with the option to buy on return. Excellent opportunity to check that you are happy everything is working

 

[Speve]

There are many in the south east who have their vans regularly serviced in garages in Belgium as it's easier and cheaper

With the cheapest return at £176 at todays prices you would be hard pushed to save much when you take into consideration travel costs unless you are planning a trip then if you take the wife the dog etc the cost of ticket will be more

 

[Manic]

You could try contacting these people, I think Northernraider used then for his Hymer screen

Motorhome | PSV Glass & Glazing

With a background working on large Bus, Coach and Rail applications, A Class Motorhomes was a natural evolution for PSV Glass & Glazing.

www.psvglassandglazing.co.uk

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[jongood]

We had 3 screens in 2 artos over a period of 14 years. Only ever cost us the excess £75 and no noticeable increase in premium. I also suspect the dealer is foot dragging hoping someone will take it as is and claim on insurance at a later date, not that anyone is recommending that.

Factory at Polch will do whatever you want very efficiently and reasonable.

Have you thoroughly checked the side glazed windows?

 

[nicholsong]

We have viewed a Arto 69 GL year 2007 but it has a crack in the windscreen. The dealer say they are experiencing difficulty sourcing a windscreen so the van may have to be driven to Germany for a replacement.
I just wondered if anyone had been to the factory in Germany and is it possible to get a windscreen there bearing in mind it is a 2007 vehicle. Also any idea of cost.
This is also putting us off looking at A class vehicles as we could possibly have the same problem with other makes.

I am wondering why the dealer took it in before he tried to source a windscreen, unless it got cracked on a test run.

Is the crack an MOT fail?

If so, sounds as though the dealer has an unsellable MH.

If you source a w/s don't let on to the dealer but tell him you will take it off his hands for £10K less than asking price.

As well as the factory, who I am sure will be able to supply and fit, at a price, try Niesmann Caravans - they are at the end of the road from the N&B factory. I understand they were a breakaway when the Niesmann family sold N&B to Hymer Group. I have been to them a couple of times and they seem very knowledgeable, also with a good accessories shop. They are dealers for Concorde which says a lot.

Some of the dealers in Germany shame the dealers in UK.

Geoff

 

[Minxy]

I am wondering why the dealer took it in before he tried to source a windscreen, unless it got cracked on a test run.

Is the crack an MOT fail?

If so, sounds as though the dealer has an unsellable MH.

Not only unsellable but legally unusable if the crack is such that it is deemed to be unroadworthy whoever drives it could easily be pulled by an observant copper at any point, of course there's also the risk that it could get worse or shatter and make driving it impossible anyway, if that happened it could be stuck anywhere waiting for one so either means low loading it back home or to somewhere it can be repaired, either scenario would seriously affect a holiday.

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[Minxy]

Just to add, I doubt that it could be legitimately insured at present either as a 'known' fault which would have to be declared to avoid the policy being voided as they will only insure it to be driven if it is safe, and legal, to do so.

 

[TizzyOnTour]

I understand Autoglass (and probably others) source their replacement A Class windscreens from Annabel Edwards at Travelworld.

https://motorhomes.shop/products/windscreen-2

Probably worth a call to Annabel on 07971 545683.

 

[Southdowners]

If you like the vehicle give N&B a call and find out the cost of replacement, add the cost of travel to Germany and ask the dealer for an equivalent reduction in price.

You can get cover for windscreens included in your insurance - don't let it put you off.

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[funflair]

When we had our N+B Flair we used https://www.autoglaze.co.uk/specialist-vehicle-glazing/motorhome-windows/ for the windscreen which was instock in the UK (not Travelworld) so as others have suggested above maybe the dealer isn't trying very hard, yes I am sure Travelworld will source one from the factory but that would be the most expensive option I think. It certainly wouldn't stop me from buying an A class though

 

[jongood]

When we had our N+B Flair we used https://www.autoglaze.co.uk/specialist-vehicle-glazing/motorhome-windows/ for the windscreen which was instock in the UK (not Travelworld) so as others have suggested above maybe the dealer isn't trying very hard, yes I am sure Travelworld will source one from the factory but that would be the most expensive option I think. It certainly wouldn't stop me from buying an A class though

They put our last one in, excellent job.

 

[jongood]

Just to add, I doubt that it could be legitimately insured at present either as a 'known' fault which would have to be declared to avoid the policy being voided as they will only insure it to be driven if it is safe, and legal, to do so.

If the Mot is still current then its only unroadworthy if its in the drivers field of vision.

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