My guy is an MCEA approved felow, it means he has been trained on the gas and electric appliances and passed the courses,as well as general road safety servicing they are expensive courses to take and most mobile service engineers take them.NCC is usually a workshop in a dealers where in all honesty an apprentice under supervision could be doing the work.Both do the same job just different letters and a lot of mobile caravan engineers started out in a dealers workshop
NCC is the Caravan Industry National Governing Body, and the MCEA isn't. So as with many other things in life, you get what you pay for.
Recommendations are the best way ahead, but that said, if your van is within it's 5 year warranty then it HAS to be an NCC Approved Engineer, either a Mobile or a Dealer.
'My guy is an MCEA approved felow, it means he has been trained on the gas and electric appliances and passed the courses,as well as general road safety servicing they are expensive courses to take.....'
They may well be expensive but according to the mcea website they only last 5 days, unless I have read it wrong. That is some learning curve.
Quote: Originally posted by Dave101 on 04/6/2009
NCC is the Caravan Industry National Governing Body, and the MCEA isn't. So as with many other things in life, you get what you pay for.
The NCC is funded by the caravan trade. It represents the interests of the trade, not those of the consumer.
It is also one of the most pointless organisations to have existed in the history of mankind.
Members of the NCC are extremely fond of dinner-dances and lavish ceremonies, where they gather together with other caravan industry grandees to congratulate each other and present each other with various awards.
What they seem to care a good deal less about is the poor quality of the products produced by their paymasters - hence their complete absence of pronouncements on such matters as water ingress in nearly new caravans, cracking of ABS panels, and the plethora of other issues that affect UK caravan buyers.
On the other hand, if you need someone to hand over a trophy or a plaque with a firm handshake and a smile for the camera - the NCC can oblige you.
------------- 'If it ain't broke, don't worry - it soon will be'
Quote: Originally posted by Dave101 on 04/6/2009NCC is the Caravan Industry National Governing Body, and the MCEA isn't. So as with many other things in life, you get what you pay for.
The NCC is funded by the caravan trade. It represents the interests of the trade, not those of the consumer.
It is also one of the most pointless organisations to have existed in the history of mankind.
Members of the NCC are extremely fond of dinner-dances and lavish ceremonies, where they gather together with other caravan industry grandees to congratulate each other and present each other with various awards.
What they seem to care a good deal less about is the poor quality of the products produced by their paymasters - hence their complete absence of pronouncements on such matters as water ingress in nearly new caravans, cracking of ABS panels, and the plethora of other issues that affect UK caravan buyers.
On the other hand, if you need someone to hand over a trophy or a plaque with a firm handshake and a smile for the camera - the NCC can oblige you.
And the MCEA is run by One man and to His standards, which is hardly a benchmark.
As already mentioned by Brian, the course is for 5 days and having personaly been heavily involved in the delivery of training for most of my life, anyone who proclaims to be able to teach this lot to an accceptable standard in just 5-days deserves a Nobel Prize.
Health and Safety
European Standards
Liability Insurance Requirements
Advertising/Marketing
Setting Up Your Business
Customer Care and Relations
Pricing Structure
Stationery/Book Keeping Requirements
Vehicle Choice Recommendations
Tools Required
Parts Stock Required
Materials/Consumables Required
Sourcing of Supplies of Spares/Components etc.
Service Schedule – Full/Short/Safety/Check
Chassis/Brakes Problems
Floor Delamination Detection/Rectification
Use of Damp Meter and Detect Water Ingress
Cures for Water Ingress and Treatment
Fridge Problems and Rectification
Tap/Pump Problems and Rectification
Toilet Flush Systems, Fault Finding and Rectification
Window Replacement
Door Lock/Hinge Problems and Rectification
Space Heater/Fan Master Problems and Rectification
Skylight Replacement or Repair
Wheels/Tyres Regulations & Checks
Road Lighting/Awning Lights
Gas Problems and Tests
Heating Systems, Gas/Electric Faults
Hot Water Systems, Gas/Electric Faults
12v Electrical Faults and Rectification
240v Electrical Faults and Rectification
Blind and Fly Screen Adjustments
------------- We have Approved Mobile Workshop Status
The MCEA is indeed a weeks induction course but they then should go on to complete product training with the various suppliers, ie ALKO, Truma, Dometic etc and get a gas competents certificate after another weeks training.
Not much difference to NCC in those respects and many have a strong background such as car mechanics etc, having said that...some have no relevent experience!
I deal with loads of both types, some are damn good! and some I won't deal with!! and many in between
And the MCEA is run by One man and to His standards, which is hardly a benchmark.
As already mentioned by Brian, the course is for 5 days and having personaly been heavily involved in the delivery of training for most of my life, anyone who proclaims to be able to teach this lot to an accceptable standard in just 5-days deserves a Nobel Prize.
I can't t comment on the MCEA - but my supplying dealer was 'approved' by the NCC (which, presumably, meant that he paid the necessary subs) and the standard of work done on the pre-delivery was genuinely shocking.
Also, the workshop was also 'approved' - despite the fact that it was a wooden shed, and most work had to be performed in an open yard.
In the end, neither NCC nor MCEA accreditation means anything - it all boils down to how conscientious the mechanic is.
What I am certain of is that many caravan owners appear to think that the NCC is on their side, an organisation that is batting for them.
Well, they are most certainly not. They are there to represent the interests of the trade (and are paid by the trade to do so) When the interests of the trade and consumers coincide, all is well - but when they diverge (as they very often do) the NCC is there for the dealer, not for you or I.
Personally, I consider NCC 'approval' to be worthless - in fact, worse than worthless because it creates a false sense of security. In all honesty, it would make no difference if your caravan dealer/workshop was 'approved' by McDonald's!
------------- 'If it ain't broke, don't worry - it soon will be'
The thing that you are correct about is that fact that the dealerships can hide behind a mask. Job descriptions in Dealership workshops can be manipulated to hide those that aren't trained or qualified simply by calling them a sprayer or a damp repairer.
The difference with an NCC Mobile engineer is that the guy who turns up at you house to service the caravan is the guy who took your initial phone call, is the guy who has all the qualifications, is the guy who deals with customer care, is the guy who resolves any issues and is the guy that owns the business. That can't be said of a dealer.
The NCC system has faults but they are also moving fast to put them right. I dare say that the dealers will still avoid most of the financial pain that this restruturing will bring and that us one-man bands will be hit with all of them as we can't hide.
Reccomendation is the key to choosing your service engineer and If you're happy with the work and are satisfied that you have received a good service then that is all that really matters. If you're not then you can always find someone else to do the work next time.
------------- We have Approved Mobile Workshop Status
I know this is an old thread but... I'm a qualified mechanic and auto electrician, and I'm looking at doing my mcea so that I have some sort of recognised standard as I'm Hoping to start servicing caravans, so people saying that people are learning everything in a week is a bit wrong as a lot of the people with the qual may have already been mechanics or autosparks for years, is it absolutely necessary to have mcea or ncc, or can I just crack on
Terry, Interested in how this worked out for you what way did you jump NCC or MCEA? Finding myself in a similar situation would appreciate your feedback
NCC or Noddy's Caravan Club has no interest in consumer issues. We always use an Approved Workshop Scheme technician as their work is accepted by manufacturers to maintain the warranty on a caravan.
Many are very experienced and there is one local to yourself if you search. I would use them for a damp report and check on any caravan that I may be interested in buying.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: NCC or MCEA
via mobile 06/1/2020 at 6:27pm
