Habitation check

[Mobilvetta]

Hi I decided to use a mobile NCC approved caravan and motorhome repairer to do my habitation check. I have always used Marquis for the last two but was disappointed with the last one they did, when they failed to spot a leaking roof hatch.

Anyhow they should have been at my property at 1.00pm today, at 1.15pm I rung them to make sure they were coming, they said they were running late. Unfortunately at 3.00pm I had to leave to go for an opticians appointment, but my wife was home, she said they arrived 15 minutes after I left, I got back home at 4.00pm and he was putting his stuff away, he said it's all done. He said the paperwork is in the van all ticked along with the damp survey.

Previously I have just left my motorhome with Marquis for the day, so I have no idea how long these checks should take. What I do know is the drivers side of the van was parked tight up against my gable wall, so I don't know how he could have inspected the fridge flu as it is on that side, as is the habitation door and the toilet cassette door. I expected that once I got back I would have had to move the van to the other side. The bill was £140, they aren't vat registered, so there was no vat to pay. They are NCC approved mobile workshop. I'm wondering if they have just ticked the boxes without checking things, I feel that these habitation checks are a bit of a con as you would know yourself if something wasn't working properly. I've attached the first few pictures from the report from the mobile workshop, then the report the previous year from Marquis. Has anyone else had a habitation check and how long did it take, he had his wife with him, so she was doing the paperwork. Just seems dam.expensive for 45 minutes work.

 

[RichardHelen262]

I have never had a hab check done, and at £140 for 45mins I am not likely to get one done.
I really can’t see that in 45 mins how it could be a thorough check

 

[Mobilvetta]

I have never had a hab check done, and at £140 for 45mins I am not likely to get one done.
I really can’t see that in 45 mins how it could be a thorough check

Unfortunately in order to keep the warranty you have to have an annual habitation check, money for old rope if you ask me.

 

[Val54]

We recently had a service, MOT and hab check (to keep the warranty intact) - over 5 hours in total. I know as I waited for it ........

 

[jagmanx]

For me the main issue is that it is a check and not a service.
In 10 years I have had 3
No 1 after 1 year followed by a very expensive damp repair.
No 2 in 2016 minor damp reported.
No 3 last week...will see report. In due course !
What I really needed was a simple check that all was working and if not fixed !
£100 and no info by email.
Will have to wait until we collect vehicle.
Yes a bit like mot..all ok today.
But as many of us know problems can happen which in fairness any hab check cannot detect.
Not like a mech service where oil etc is changed and brake pads etc examined.
We have has 3 problems (damp apart) over 11 years
1 main gas regulator failing.
2 gas burner burnt out (Fridge)
3 gas control valve not opening (Fridge so again EHU and battery when driving both Ok)
I know all 3 would not be resolved by a hab check.
Thus in general I do not bother with a hab check and "happy" to pay up as & when !
Did this year as the vehicle has been in (indoor) storage for 20 months !!!

 

[SquirrellCook]

Any servicing is where you are likely to be conned. That's if your lucky, the other problem is that these criminals will offer do damage whilst they are at it.
I'm not saying anyone that does servicing is bad, but it's hard to find a good one.

 

[Fisherman]

My only reason for getting hab checks is the warranty, no warranty no hab check.
I have my own damp meter, and every few weeks I go round the van looking for dampness. If something is needing fixed I doubt if this expensive check would prevent it, and the money I saved will go towards the repair.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

My only reason for getting hab checks is the warranty, no warranty no hab check.
I have my own damp meter, and every few weeks I go round the van looking for dampness. If something is needing fixed I doubt if this expensive check would prevent it, and the money I saved will go towards the repair.

Good way to go, Bill.

I've never owned a new enough van to worry about a warranty.

But I do have a highly recommended contact via a petrol head friend of mine, if I ever wanted one.
He does the hab check, but also fixes any faults he finds - gas, electrics, plumbing etc.
A very reasonable price and, more importantly, reportedly very conscientious about his work.

 

[1807truckman]

On my Hymer I only ever had water ingress check carried out, always at Hymer Zentrum B1 in Mulheim an der Ruhr, called in an my way back from race meetings at Nurburgring, took them 1 hour while I went into the village and had breakfast, cost was around 50 Euro, that was all that was required to maintain the 6 year water ingress warranty. I originally enquired at Hymer UK and they would only do it as part of a habitation check at a cost of £250 and I'd have to leave it with them for a week.

 

[Mobilvetta]

Email I've received today from the NCC workshop scheme manager. I've asked for further clarification from her as the check form doesn't state what tests should actually be performed, for instance I would have thought they would take the external fridge vents off to check the condition of the flu and take a reading from the flu with a gas anyliser. I know my son does this when he does gas safety checks on Home boilers, having said that his machine was nearly a grand and he has to send it away periodically for the calibration to be checked checked periodically.

 

[Val54]

Email I've received today from the NCC workshop scheme manager. I've asked for further clarification from her as the check form doesn't state what tests should actually be performed, for instance I would have thought they would take the external fridge vents off to check the condition of the flu and take a reading from the flu with a gas anyliser. I know my son does this when he does gas safety checks on Home boilers, having said that his machine was nearly a grand and he has to send it away periodically for the calibration to be checkedView attachment 97735View attachment 97736 checked periodically.

Chausson and Carthago hab checks definitely include fridge operation and flue inspection ........

 

[Mobilvetta]

Looked at my CCTV yesterday for the time they was doing the habitation check, they never bothered opening the garage door, that is were the Truma combi boiler is situated.

They never did a visual inspection off the roof and a visible check of the roof hatch seals and seams as required by the NCC workshop habitation check, obviously couldn't inspect the habitation door or drivers side of the motorhome, that incorporates the barbeque point and 240v and 12 volt socket and the fridge vents. We know they never checked the leisure battery compartment.
Fortunately I haven't paid there bill as yet, but I have sent them an email complaint and are waiting on a response, seems like they have only done half a job to me.

 

[Mobilvetta]

Just an update, I sent an email to the mobile engineer on Wednesday and haven't had a response from them, thus far, neither have they made contact to ask why I haven't paid the bill, think they must have realised why, when they tried to charge me for doing half a job.

I have been in touch with the NCC workshop scheme manager who has sent me details on how to progress the complaint, it appears that you have to send a deposit of £50.00 plus vat for it to go to the NCC arbitration scheme, if they rule in your favour you get this refunded, I will give the mobile worship 7 days to make contact before taking it further.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Just an update, I sent an email to the mobile engineer on Thursday and haven't had a response from them, thus far, neither have they made contact to ask why I haven't paid the bill, think they must have realised why, when they tried to charge me for doing half a job.

I have been in touch with the NCC workshop scheme manager who has sent me details on how to progress the complaint, it appears that you have to send a deposit of £50.00 plus vat for it to go to the NCC arbitration scheme, if they rule in your favour you get this refunded, I will give the mobile worship 7 days to make contact before taking it further.

Would that be 6 days of prayer on the road and on the 7th the hab engineer gets sent down below to get his just desserts?

I know I shouldn't jest, because it it a very irritating situation for you, but I can't help myself ...