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Just back from seeing a lovely 2006 Sterling Eccles Sapphire but disappointed as no service history at all, original tyres and other than wheel lock, ehu and battery nothing else included even though they are giving up caravanning. Were told all about the all singing top of the range Isabella they would of course be selling seperately. They wont budge on the asking price either.

Are we worrying too much about lack of service history? The van looked mint to us but I guess alot of problems will be less than obvious. Seller said there is nothing wrong with the van as its only been used for 8 weeks in 5 years but surely thats got little to do with potential damp/ other problems and more to do with less wear and tear internally? Gut instinct says walk away but it was lovely.

Service history is just that only history.  What you are interested in is current condition.  If you like the van, get it checked over by a mobile engineer as homebird suggests. That is the only report that matters.

Brian

our caravan is also a 2006 model. and when we asked about it possibly needing new tyres for this season at Robinson's approved workshop, we were told that we are Ok until next year, as although they are the originals, they are still 'in date' so i wouldnt worry too much as long as there are no obvious cracks or buldges in your potential vans tyres.

I can understand why the couple may want to keep most of the things they have previously used in the van and not include them in the sale, they may be things that they used at home anyway, and just packed them for their trips away, or may wish to keep them just incase they may want to move onto a motorhome or go back to caravanning some time in the future, I often wished we had kept all our stuff from when we took a ten year break, it cost us a fortune to set everything up from new again second time around.

If you really like this van Savanne, then i too would say get it checked over by a mobile service engineer, you may find a few minor things that need attention, afterall this is a secondhand van in its 6th season, and you get what you pay for at the end of the day, although even new ones can have faults, the big differance being they will be repaired under warantee, yours will not if its a private sale. 

Julia

We're in much the same boat as you Savanne ~ Taking a mechanic to have a look at a MH that we've found (had our offer accepted subject to Mechanics check)

This MH is a 2006 model which has hardly moved in the last three years - absolutely fell in love with it as it's pristine inside - but appreciate that just because it hasn't been used doesn't mean that the parts haven't aged - no service history/habitation check etc - so fingers crossed

Suggest that you do get someone to look it over, hope it all works out well for you

Sheila x

Quote: Originally posted by savanne1 on 27/3/2011

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..... nothing else included even though they are giving up caravanning. Were told all about the all singing top of the range Isabella they would of course be selling seperately. ......

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Wouldn't worry about tyres. 4 - 5 years need to think about replacing anyway but who has a 4 year old van without service history? Did the original purchaser not wish to preserve the warranty?

Chris check and engineer check a must. If this is ok bargain very hard. Go in with a silly offer to start. You don't want to make new friends.

i wouldnt beleave any of the prices that your being told, as for £500 less he would of surly by now sold it to a dealer, dont buy it until youve cris and had a proper inspection.

mike 

The complete lack of service history would worry me.  All Swift group vans from 2006 onwards have a 6 year water ingress warranty,  Because this van has not been serviced AT ALL means a void warranty, nothing to pass on to you.    I have a 2006 Swift (I am second owner) with a full service history, and I know that all sorts of bits and pieces have been done on my van because the previous owner kept every bit of paperwork.  I have also just had £750 worth of damp work done under the warranty.   I cant help thinking that if the present owners couldnt be bothered to get the van serviced, then they havent been looking after the van properly, and new tyres will be the least of your problems. Incidentally Ive just put two new tyres on mine because we found a hairline crack on one of them, and they were the same age.

Actually, I cant get my head round the fact that they bought a new van and just didnt bother to service it at all?  In five years? That's a very cavalier attitude to safety at the very least. They obviously didnt want to spend any further money on it.  I cant help thinking you're going to have to if you buy it.

Either that, or it has been serviced recently which has thrown up something drastic that they dont want to pay for.  I know, Im probably being over suspicious!

I completly agree with you anniemac, the sellers reckon as it hasnt had much use why get it serviced!! He said the dealer had a cheek wanting to charge him £120 to have it checked. They were obviously wealthy, the house was to die for which makes it even more unusual they didnt spend any money having it checked out. I've just told OH we are walking away, theres always another.

Mike, OH said he thought the prices he quoted were a load of rubbish and he was just trying it on.