Service time

[Simon Select]

When I established our Weinsberg CaraCompact EDITION [PEPPER] 640 MEG MB, bought pre owned from Select Motorhomes had a fault with not fuelling fully, it was rectified under warranty with Mercedes Benz.

The fault, incorrect fuel tank fitted at build of the tractor head in Germany by Mercedes Benz Sprinter Bodybuilding Division, where tractor heads and chassis for multiple convertors are created. The tractor head then went to Weinsberg to be added to an AlKo chassis and body under the Knaus Tabbert banner.

During the process of fault finding it was established the original MB warranty on the tractor head was 3 years commencing on despatch from MB Sprinter Bodybuilding division in September 2022, was started. The created motorhome was registered in the UK by SMC Newark in Feb 2023, and did not have the requisite warranty reset. The original owner had 2 visits to dealers who failed to correctly diagnose the problem, claiming software resets. None worked as they failed to establish the fault. Not uncommon.

As the MH was registered in the UK, the original 3 year European Warranty dropped to 2 years, blame the B word. Unfortunately as is apparently the norm with the UK leisure vehicle industry, the UK first seller, SMC couldn't be arsed to restart the warranty with MB UK. Fortunately I was able to find a professional MB commercial vehicle dealer who understood the responsibilities of the tractor head manufacturer and had the warranty reset and the work carried out at my convenience.

Oddly the customer is always right, cos customers make pay days happen.

Did you get a bill? If so email me. If you bought the van from me then that shouldn’t be your problem and I will reimburse!
PS that’s a great van!

 

[Ernesto]

I reckon this whole subject in general - not just this specific case (but including hab checks) should be referred to trading standards or Martin Lewis, by someone with an affected vehicle.

This idea that customers need to pay the supplier extra for routine checks, to spot potential manufacturing issues early in the life of very expensive consumer goods, in order to “preserve” warranties that supposedly cover the self same manufacturing, feels like blatant mis-selling

Car manufacturers dont insist in this - they know they couldn't get away with it.
If I didnt check my low oil (assuming no leaks etc, just normal use) and the engine seized - then the warranty could be disputed. But charging me extra to do a spot check on the oil once a year is just ludicrous.
Edit - routine maintenance on engine fluids for example is fine. Not saying they cant insist on that being carried out. But checking for water- tightness is not routine maintenance. Its checking for manufacturing issues.

 

[KASPAR]

Did you get a bill? If so email me. If you bought the van from me then that shouldn’t be your problem and I will reimburse!
PS that’s a great van!

No bill.

It is a great van.

 

[lorger]

When I established our Weinsberg CaraCompact EDITION [PEPPER] 640 MEG MB, bought pre owned from Select Motorhomes had a fault with not fuelling fully, it was rectified under warranty with Mercedes Benz.

The fault, incorrect fuel tank fitted at build of the tractor head in Germany by Mercedes Benz Sprinter Bodybuilding Division, where tractor heads and chassis for multiple convertors are created. The tractor head then went to Weinsberg to be added to an AlKo chassis and body under the Knaus Tabbert banner.

During the process of fault finding it was established the original MB warranty on the tractor head was 3 years commencing on despatch from MB Sprinter Bodybuilding division in September 2022, was started. The created motorhome was registered in the UK by SMC Newark in Feb 2023, and did not have the requisite warranty reset. The original owner had 2 visits to dealers who failed to correctly diagnose the problem, claiming software resets. None worked as they failed to establish the fault. Not uncommon.

As the MH was registered in the UK, the original 3 year European Warranty dropped to 2 years, blame the B word. Unfortunately as is apparently the norm with the UK leisure vehicle industry, the UK first seller, SMC couldn't be arsed to restart the warranty with MB UK. Fortunately I was able to find a professional MB commercial vehicle dealer who understood the responsibilities of the tractor head manufacturer and had the warranty reset and the work carried out at my convenience.

Oddly the customer is always right, cos customers make pay days happen.

Did you get a bill? If so email me. If you bought the van from me then that shouldn’t be your problem and I will reimburse!
PS that’s a great van!

No bill.

It is a great van.

So this adds to my argument that the base manufacturer covers the base vehicle, Kasper had MB fix something under warranty while I had Fiat do it with no knowledge from the dealer or converter. Bit odd that they would do this for free if as you say the converter covers warranty.

 

[Ernesto]

So this adds to my argument that the base manufacturer covers the base vehicle, Kasper had MB fix something under warranty while I had Fiat do it with no knowledge from the dealer or converter. Bit odd that they would do this for free if as you say the converter covers warranty.

Is this a case where the law is clear - the seller has to offer a warranty, but for practical cost considerations, the manufacturer agrees with the seller, to step in and provide the service.
The law doesnt stipulate who provides the actual cover - just that the seller is required to offer it and they are legally on the hook for it ?

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[lorger]

Is this a case where the law is clear - the seller has to offer a warranty, but for practical cost considerations, the manufacturer agrees with the seller, to step in and provide the service.
The law doesnt stipulate who provides the actual cover - just that the seller is required to offer it and they are legally on the hook for it ?

I understand that the warranty is with the seller, however if a gearbox goes on the base vehicle and the seller arranges all repairs under warranty who pays him. I’d bet my house on it that it’s the base vehicle manufacturer and not the converter.

 

[Jo-jo]

I'm with lorger on this, I'm struggling to see how it can't be the base vehicle manufacturers responsibility.

 

[Gellyneck]

I understand that the warranty is with the seller, however if a gearbox goes on the base vehicle and the seller arranges all repairs under warranty who pays him. I’d bet my house on it that it’s the base vehicle manufacturer and not the converter.

Our FIAT based AT had the dreaded dashboard console failure and a clutch switch problem. Spoke with the dealer we purchased from and they said if you bring it to us we'll just put it over to our local FIAT Pro place as it is covered under their warranty not the convertors.

Given the distance (200+ miles) they said take it to your local FIAT Pro and they'll get approval from FIAT Italy to replace / repair under warranty. Did so and after a wait of around a week for the part (console, switch was in stock) to arrive went back and actually sat in the motorhome whilst the technician replaced the console. Wasn't a free replacement as I had to buy him a bacon buttie!

 

[parney]

Well getting more information by the hour will have in writing hopefully today warranty with base vehicle starts on 1st registration day anything in connection with base vehicle must go straight to main agent (Ford dealer) . The convenience service is one year after first registration on v5. Ford will recover via aa a 7.5 metre motorhome.

 

[parney]

You can take the motorhome to where you bought it new and if there not a approved Ford dealership the dealer will only take it to Ford so taking it yourself for any issues with base is a quicker

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[parney]

It’s a moving goalpost just had Ford commercial on phone stating the Ford roadside assistance begins when it is delivered to the motorhome assemblers Tecnically you are the second owner 1st owner is swift/ Bailey etc even though it’s not registered

 

[Ernesto]

I'm with lorger on this, I'm struggling to see how it can't be the base vehicle manufacturers responsibility.

If the question is "who ultimately pays the bill" then I'd guess the manufacturers and dealers have varying and complex arrangements to cover it, depending on all sorts of things

If the question is "who is liable to the customer", for the 2 year warranty from the time of sale, then its the dealer/seller

For sure, it makes perfect sense for the dealer and manufacturer to come to a practical arrangement - and entirely appropriate to suggest to the customer that they take advantage of it. But I dont think we can have a legal relationship with a company, we have never bought anything from directly

 

[parney]

More moving goal posts the vans aa Ford recovery and the service dates due are from When Swift/Bailey took delivery of the Ford chassis. Not when I registered it took delivery. I have been invited to attend my convenience service early and the manager he will show me it in black and white. It took 3 calls to Ford and 2 return calls to get to the bottom of this. Up shot is I am having convenience service done Tuesday and we are now all working from same date when Swift/Bailey took delivery