Consumer Rights act 2015 Reject a motorhome as not fit for purpose?

I would agree mostly with the advice from maingate however I would send the letter recorded delivery so there is proof. Also tell them all correspondence should be in writing so you have a paper / email trail should the need arise in the future.
 
My son purchased a car some years back and it was in the garage more times than it was on the road.
It had never ending problems all gear box related.

After seeking advice from 'trading standards' they guided me every step of the way on how to get the ball rolling ...
After numerous phone calls, letter writing and a stressful rants from me, I was finally told we could hand the car back to the garage and plonked the keys down on the desk, and wiped our hands of it.

You notice I said 'I' ...son was a clueless 18 year old at the time ...so good old Mum dealt with it. I have to say the CA and trading standards were invaluable and emailed me template letters....
 
Herbenny said:
My son purchased a car some years back and it was in the garage more times than it was on the road.
It had never ending problems all gear box related.

After seeking advice from 'trading standards' they guided me every step of the way on how to get the ball rolling ...
After numerous phone calls, letter writing and a stressful rants from me, I was finally told we could hand the car back to the garage and plonked the keys down on the desk, and wiped our hands of it.

You notice I said 'I' ...son was a clueless 18 year old at the time ...so good old Mum dealt with it. I have to say the CA and trading standards were invaluable and emailed me template letters....
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Fact of the matter is going to a solicitor which costs money especially if unsuccessful has pitfalls , Anyone plonk a solicitors letter on my desk I would forward to Sewells my own who specialised in motortrade disputes..all part of being a member of the SMMT so cost nothing and let them sort it. I would expect motorhome dealers to be part of the NCC who serve similar

Trading standards are a different kettle of fish, like a vatman you don't want them getting too inquisitive ! And dint forget in the most dire of cases they can , will and do prosecute rogue dealers

Channa
 
malagaoth said:
I recognise that this is easy for me because it wasnt my money but not of these 'faults' sound terribly serious irritating certainly but there is nothing there which would prevent to full use (although perhaps not the full enjoyment) of the vehicle.

A shower curtain (top of the list!) shouldnt be too hard to get - OK it might not be the right one with the right colour scheme but it would allow use of the shower

in fact the only issue that is even remotely serious is the ECU problem.

I could be uncharitable and suggest that you have a severe case of buyers remorse and simply want out of the deal - but I wont
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But the frustration builds. If the faults are not remotely serious then the dealer should fix them easily!

I expect the OP would have been happy if the dealer had fixed these things on the spot.
 
malagaoth said:
I recognise that this is easy for me because it wasnt my money but not of these 'faults' sound terribly serious irritating certainly but there is nothing there which would prevent to full use (although perhaps not the full enjoyment) of the vehicle.

A shower curtain (top of the list!) shouldnt be too hard to get - OK it might not be the right one with the right colour scheme but it would allow use of the shower

in fact the only issue that is even remotely serious is the ECU problem.

I could be uncharitable and suggest that you have a severe case of buyers remorse and simply want out of the deal - but I wont
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Did you see the pics of the seat cushions that were posted after one weeks use, (was a different thread a month r two back)? They were the settee/bed cushions and didn't look fit for the dogs to sleep on never mind a new van.
 
REC said:
Thanks! I was reading the which guide too....they can deduct for use but that's ok as our main use has been driving to the dealer and fiat specialist to try and get resolution! Paid for a big chunk on credit card then cleared card immediately but think we have redress through them too. Plan on putting it all in writing tomorrow but, having seen our previous vehicle have realised how bad this has been! Don't think our son will give it back but would prefer it!
Don't plan on starting it unless following through...but wondered if our idea of "reasonable" coincides with others!
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Be sure to send all letters via Recorded Delivery. Do nothing in Peron or over the phone. You need a clear record of all correspondence if it goes to court. Good luck.
 
malagaoth said:
I recognise that this is easy for me because it wasnt my money but not of these 'faults' sound terribly serious irritating certainly but there is nothing there which would prevent to full use (although perhaps not the full enjoyment) of the vehicle.

A shower curtain (top of the list!) shouldnt be too hard to get - OK it might not be the right one with the right colour scheme but it would allow use of the shower

in fact the only issue that is even remotely serious is the ECU problem.

I could be uncharitable and suggest that you have a severe case of buyers remorse and simply want out of the deal - but I wont
Click to expand...

Not buyer's remorse! The shower curtain was much less of a problem than the fact that the cushions are unusable, the waste water floods the shower base and the ECU issues. The main regret is that, having bought it to go away in, after four months of limited use but going backwards and forwards to garage and supplier, we still cannot use it as intended.

And yes, we do regrets pending £38000 on something which is just a big disappointment!
 
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REC said:
Not buyer's remorse! The shower curtain was much less of a problem than the fact that the cushions are unusable, the waste water floods the shower base and the ECU issues. The main regret is that, having bought it to go away in, after four months of limited use but going backwards and forwards to garage and supplier, we still cannot use it as intended.
Click to expand...

Sounds like ( not fit for the purpose ) act?
 
Just phoned the managing director of the company. Told him a recorded delivery letter is on its way as, having talked to trading standards, they advised me to reject the vehicle as not fit for purpose and of poor quality. I also followed your advice and told him everything from now on as to be in writing. He said he thought it was all sorted out and that everything was ok! Obviously has not checked and staff not kept him informed! He was involved initially after the no battery fiasco when we collected it. (Other thread)
 
Well done the MD will NOT want trading standards on his case !!! far more effective than any solicitor and free !! I hope your grievances are sorted soon.

TS are not a cage you want to rattle I assure you

Channa
 
Know how you feel!!

Know how you feel . We purchased an Elddis 115 last May and so far we have had 15 items repaired!

1. Delivery of van delayed due to faulty brake switch - new switch fitted.

2. We commented on poor quality mastic work when we arrived to collect van - really shoddy workmanship.

3. New door fitted as original warped.

4. Elddis eventually delivered door but not the Decal required. We still await Decal being completed.

5. Oven catch fell out - had to be refitted.

6. Rubber caps missing on hob so glass lid rattled continuously - new caps sent to us by post..

7. Stop end missing on curtain rail so curtain kept falling off rail - stop end sent to us by post.

8. Door knobs on cupboards keep sticking.

9. Big gap below Toilet door, drip on door not adequate so water floods out if you have a shower. Very bad design puts us off having a shower.

10. When having a shower water makes it way from tray an comes out at edge of facing below cupboard door. You have re-silicone but this is still of concern and again puts us off using shower.

11. Wires at back of Consumer Unit were not connected which prevented us from using van to full.

12. Edging came off worktop in Toilet and worktop swelled - worktop had to be replaced.

13. No silicon/bad silicon in certain areas of shower room - back of worktop etc. New silicon applied.

14. Silver plating on kitchen tap peeling off - new tap awaited.

15. Part fell off inside toilet waste tank preventing flushing - new tank supplied.

To make it worse we have just had it in for it's first service and there have been three areas of damp identified and they are talking about removing wall panels (!!) in a new van??!! Very disappointing. We previously had a VW T4 HI-TOP. We purchased it second hand in 2008 used it for 8.5 years and sold it last year for £750 more than we purchased it for. No issues with it at all except the usual wear and tear items you would expect in a vehicle. Feel like telling them to take it back. Interested to hear how you get on.


REC said:
Having purchased our new motorhome in feb2018, we still cannot use it properly. Getting so fed up about it, particularly as just seen our old self build, and this has highlighted what a problem the new one is!
Problems still not resolved are
1.Unable to use the shower as no curtain
2. Unidentified rattle under floor only relieved by having a heavy weight on it
3. Maybe connected to (2) the waste water bubbles into the shower tray if waste tank is more than half full. Retailer suggests a plug to stop this but says probably the design!!
4.Cushions all squashed and uncomfortable after a week sleeping on them
5. Door handle on bathroom missing
6. Waiting now for a replacement radio as this is faulty which affects the odometer and steering wheel controls for Bluetooth ( don't understand exactly but they did a software fix which didn't work!) Odometer flashes constantly.

All these faults have been notified to the garage in February and March and we have been waiting for them to "get parts" consequently we cannot use the van for the purpose purchased. So fed up and disappointed we are now thinking that we will reject it as not fit for purpose since they have not managed to fix anything yet! Does anyone out there have more knowledge about whether we would have a case? There is a six month time limit I think,
Are we being unreasonable? Planned to drive to Portugal fairly soon but don't want to with all the issues!
Opinions would be appreciated.
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Jan B said:
Know how you feel . We purchased an Elddis 115 last May and so far we have had 15 items repaired!

1. Delivery of van delayed due to faulty brake switch - new switch fitted.

2. We commented on poor quality mastic work when we arrived to collect van - really shoddy workmanship.

3. New door fitted as original warped.

4. Elddis eventually delivered door but not the Decal required. We still await Decal being completed.

5. Oven catch fell out - had to be refitted.

6. Rubber caps missing on hob so glass lid rattled continuously - new caps sent to us by post..

7. Stop end missing on curtain rail so curtain kept falling off rail - stop end sent to us by post.

8. Door knobs on cupboards keep sticking.

9. Big gap below Toilet door, drip on door not adequate so water floods out if you have a shower. Very bad design puts us off having a shower.

10. When having a shower water makes it way from tray an comes out at edge of facing below cupboard door. You have re-silicone but this is still of concern and again puts us off using shower.

11. Wires at back of Consumer Unit were not connected which prevented us from using van to full.

12. Edging came off worktop in Toilet and worktop swelled - worktop had to be replaced.

13. No silicon/bad silicon in certain areas of shower room - back of worktop etc. New silicon applied.

14. Silver plating on kitchen tap peeling off - new tap awaited.

15. Part fell off inside toilet waste tank preventing flushing - new tank supplied.

To make it worse we have just had it in for it's first service and there have been three areas of damp identified and they are talking about removing wall panels (!!) in a new van??!! Very disappointing. We previously had a VW T4 HI-TOP. We purchased it second hand in 2008 used it for 8.5 years and sold it last year for £750 more than we purchased it for. No issues with it at all except the usual wear and tear items you would expect in a vehicle. Feel like telling them to take it back. Interested to hear how you get on.
Click to expand...

Actually there were also lots of other little things like rubber stops, fire extinguisher, fridge covers, salad box, etc missing but it was the major stuff which was the final straw. You just get to the stage where being reasonable feels like being made a mug!! Every part is supposed to be approx eight week wait, and time is ticking by. Also each eight week wait has been extended for the stuff currently waited as " they got the wrong part numbers so had to reorder". And the cushions may well be just like for like so will have to be replaced again. Just poor quality and a bit of "don't care, not my problem now" attitude. Will update when (if) we get a reply!
 
FWIW good job this shower don't work for me. They would be looking for a new job on Monday.

Parts can be ordered incorrectly, on back order etc not much a dealer can do. But the couldn't give a hoot got yer money so sod off really annoys me ..Infuriates in fact.

The reason I pretty much pushed the trading standards route is they don't hold back sit on the fence and hurt the non professionals hard !

One of my dealerships in Leeds was the first to work in partnership with West Yorkshire trading standards we went from Jan to sept without one complaint and when that happened TS established we had behaved correctly...

One significant difference is the lack of ownership by the motorhome manufacturers, The car manufacturers nowadays put a lot of emphasis on Customer satisfaction withholding money unless satisfaction is through the roof part the reason customers are hounded after a service !

To give an idea we had a Vauxhall dealership is Leeds were money held back was £300000 yes you read that right !!! ....I for one would not want to be the person explaining to directors why I had lost 300k because couldn't be arsed looking after the customers albeit wouldn't shout about that on your cv looking for a new job

The Motorhome manfacturerers need to follow suit and arrang that if you represent a franchise warranty work is undertaken

All this of course aside proves that recommendation is the best salesperson simple basics no re inventing wheels required ! your post proves that name and shame the supplier would hurt them and deserve it....they need to wake up and smell the coffee.

Channa
 
Jan B said:
Know how you feel . We purchased an Elddis 115 last May and so far we have had 15 items repaired!

1. Delivery of van delayed due to faulty brake switch - new switch fitted.

2. We commented on poor quality mastic work when we arrived to collect van - really shoddy workmanship.

3. New door fitted as original warped.

4. Elddis eventually delivered door but not the Decal required. We still await Decal being completed.

5. Oven catch fell out - had to be refitted.

6. Rubber caps missing on hob so glass lid rattled continuously - new caps sent to us by post..

7. Stop end missing on curtain rail so curtain kept falling off rail - stop end sent to us by post.

8. Door knobs on cupboards keep sticking.

9. Big gap below Toilet door, drip on door not adequate so water floods out if you have a shower. Very bad design puts us off having a shower.

10. When having a shower water makes it way from tray an comes out at edge of facing below cupboard door. You have re-silicone but this is still of concern and again puts us off using shower.

11. Wires at back of Consumer Unit were not connected which prevented us from using van to full.

12. Edging came off worktop in Toilet and worktop swelled - worktop had to be replaced.

13. No silicon/bad silicon in certain areas of shower room - back of worktop etc. New silicon applied.

14. Silver plating on kitchen tap peeling off - new tap awaited.

15. Part fell off inside toilet waste tank preventing flushing - new tank supplied.

To make it worse we have just had it in for it's first service and there have been three areas of damp identified and they are talking about removing wall panels (!!) in a new van??!! Very disappointing. We previously had a VW T4 HI-TOP. We purchased it second hand in 2008 used it for 8.5 years and sold it last year for £750 more than we purchased it for. No issues with it at all except the usual wear and tear items you would expect in a vehicle. Feel like telling them to take it back. Interested to hear how you get on.
Click to expand...

If I had an Elddis and was having a lot of problems, I would contact Hymer Head Office and complain. They recently bought Elddis and must bear some responsibility.
 
maingate said:
If I had an Elddis and was having a lot of problems, I would contact Hymer Head Office and complain. They recently bought Elddis and must bear some responsibility.
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Depends on whether the deal embraced past liabilities ..Piper aircraft was sold for 1 dollar down to them accepting previous product issues, I have a hunch a caravan manufactuer wont have done...Overall a bunch of rank amateurs

Channa
 
After reading all this im so happy i built my own buggy at a fraction of the price,do hope all ends well.
 
Part of the problem seems to be the reluctance to carry spare parts. Manufacturers seem to work on the Just in Time principal with parts arriving from suppliers JIT to be fitted. This of course eases the cash flow as MH’s come off the line and are shipped to the Dealer network. The supplier of the parts then gets paid after the Dealer has paid the Manufacturer.

Problem is there is no slack in the system. The shower curtains are ordered months in advance and all are assigned to new vehicles. If one is damaged or the box has one short then there is a delay getting one. The Manufacturer doesn’t wait for the part the vehicle just leaves without it.

Then it’s down to the Dealer to order the bits that are missing and hope they turn up BEFORE he sells it.

With a Dealer who sells a large range of MH’s they cannot possibly carry a large range of parts. They have to rely on the Manufacturer to supply the parts quickly. Trouble is some can do it others cannot.

Fiat are very good. I had an oil leak on our Fiat and we had only done a couple of hundred miles. It went in and they found the fault with the oil pipe connection to the turbo. New pipe and turbo arrived from factory in Italy Two days later.

Swift on the other hand took 8 weeks to deliver a front corner plastic part after we tried to move a lump of Devon granite. Finished up with duck tape to hold it together while we waited for the bits. Liaka in Italy supplied a new door seal to our Dealer in a week.

..
 
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