I've been reading the threads over recent days on caravans with "issues" and it seems that even if these caravans are replaced by dealers or manufacturers they just get put back onto the market for new unsuspecting owners.
Presumably (and maybe this is a big assumption!) the caravan's CRIS number cannot be changed. So therefore, should there be a list like the stolen caravans list on here of dodgy caravans with a bit of an alert by previous owners of what problems they had with it?
I think the OP was mainly talking about new caravans returned and replaced by dealers \ manufacturers, in which case owners might be happy to supply details. Same would apply if a pre-owned supplied by a dealer was rejected and "unfit".
I have read plenty on here over the yrs about faults with new caravans but I can only recall 1 instance of anybody actually getting replacement caravan. I think that was when a new Swift had wheel & hub detach itself shortly after purchase.
I can understand folk being furious when they get faults on a new caravan, but fact is usually if the same faults were found on a 10yr old ebay bargain you would fix them yourself.
If anything more than a tiny % of new caravans had enough faults to warrant them being returned to the factory for repairs, the maker would be bankrupt. I doubt any caravan is so badly made that it cannot be repaired to an acceptable standard & there is no reason why subsequent owners should be worried.
Quote: Originally posted by TonyC52 on 15/3/2010
I think the OP was mainly talking about new caravans returned and replaced by dealers \ manufacturers, in which case owners might be happy to supply details. Same would apply if a pre-owned supplied by a dealer was rejected and "unfit".
Yep, that's what I meant.
As there's been a few mentioned on here...I wonder whether there's any way of protecting prospective purchasers from buying a lemon that is still in the supply chain despite original buyers getting refund / replacement.
Quote: Originally posted by avctaylor on 15/3/2010
I wonder whether there's any way of protecting prospective purchasers from buying a lemon that is still in the supply chain despite original buyers getting refund / replacement.
Have you any evidence that anybody has successfully rejected a caravan & got replacement or refund?
If there were vans replaced by dealers/manufacturers they can be satisfactorily repaired and said dealers/manufacturers need an outlet for them. No one can expect they be thrown away/scrapped surely. If they were the cost would ultimately born by the customers.
Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 15/3/2010
Have you any evidence that anybody has successfully rejected a caravan & got replacement or refund?
Well another assumption, but I'd guess what I read on here is mostly true.
I'd class part exchanges of dodgy vans where there is significant repairs to be done of interest too.
Surely it doesn't matter how good a repair is done, it's still worth knowing that there may be a weakness in that area of the van? Cars are not the same because if a car is deemed unsuitable for use it is written off and the DVLA notified - if such a car is then repaired, it is possible to find this out prior to purchase. It may not stop you purchasing the car or caravan, but it is worth knowing imo.
However, I do accept the point that maybe the number of caravans involved would be so small it wouldn't be worth maintaining such a list.
Quote: Originally posted by avctaylor on 16/3/2010
Well another assumption, but I'd guess what I read on here is mostly true.
Quite & I can recall only 1 instance on here where somebody has successfully rejected a caravan. Plenty of posters say they want to reject it & plenty post advising them to reject it, but even if it is returned to the factory for the fitting of a new panel, they still get the same caravan back.
If a caravan is severely damaged in an accident & repaired, then that is another matter, whether there are write off catergories for caravans, I know not.
Obviously there can be faults caused by poor workmanship & if you buy a new van with faults you are entitled to be outraged, but the faults are usually minor & can be corrected. You can't reject the caravan for minor faults, any more than you can reject a car for blemished paintwork or trim faults. All you can expect is for the faults to be recitified promptly under warranty.
I understand the point you are trying to make & it is valid, but you appear to be under the impression that caravans are regularly rejected & buyer either reimbersed or given a replacment caravan. There is certainly no evidence to suggest that, going by what is posted on this forum.
Quote: Originally posted by avctaylor on 16/3/2010
Quote: Originally posted by Tentz on 15/3/2010
Surely it doesn't matter how good a repair is done, it's still worth knowing that there may be a weakness in that area of the van? Cars are not the same because if a car is deemed unsuitable for use it is written off and the DVLA notified - if such a car is then repaired, it is possible to find this out prior to purchase. It may not stop you purchasing the car or caravan, but it is worth knowing imo.
However, I do accept the point that maybe the number of caravans involved would be so small it wouldn't be worth maintaining such a list.
Was just pondering about it really...
Yes you can find out about cars - its written on the V5 but the system is driven by insurance company write-offs. Surely this discussion is about substandard vans returned to dealers of manufacturers. Nothing to do with damaged or stolen write offs.
In this theoretical world of successful rejections there would doubtless be theoretical rejections of cars returned to manufacturers which would be made good and put back on sale.
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Topic: CRIS number list for dodgy caravans?
