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As a lot of you know we have just purchased a 2009 Lunar caravan which is exactly 1 year old.  I read on a past thread that Lunar will now transfer their warranties on all caravans manufactured in 2009 onwards.  I can't get hold of Lunar to confirm this because they are on Summer shutdown so I contacted the dealer where it came from.  They confirmed that Lunar do now transfer warranties as long as the caravan has been serviced so I asked how do I go about making the transferral, I was told that there should be a form in the back of the handbook to fill in.  Looked in my handbook and there isn't and on the warranty page it quite clearly states that warranties are valid for first owners only - the reply to this was 'oh must just be 2010 models then'. 

So Im not sure which is right, could it be that the manuals weren't updated with the forms in time or is it just for 2010s - although how any 2010s would be serviced already is beyond me and I thought if you miss a service your warranty is null and void regardless.

Wondering if anyone knows what is correct or have had any success transferring the warranties of their own Lunar caravans?

I thought that I had read somewhere that Lunar were willing to transfer a warranty but only since the 2010 models came out. They came out in 2009, so some may be coming up to their first service. If Lunar say that they will not for your van, then ask if they will for a fee. They may want to have the van inspected and any necessary work carried out first. If that is the case you just take a view on the risks and costs.

Did the dealer who sold you the van not provide some kind of warranty? Many do as part of an insurance scheme. Again you pay for it but the cost is minimal compared to risk. Generally in the region of about £300 for three years cover.

You could try Mechanical Breakdown & General Insurance Services Limited who provide warranties for caravans, again insurance based, and you may need the van inspected first. The up side is that if they find a defect you could always go back to the dealer to get it put it right at the dealers cost under Consumer legislation.

Failing all that, the Dealer is responsible for selling you a van that is fit for purpose and that obligation runs for six years from the date of purchase. The down side is that the longer it takes for any defect to arise the burden is on you to proove that the defect was there when they sold you the van. So consumer rights are one thing, enforcing them may be a challenge.

Phil

Thanks for that it was the comment below (taken from a previous UKCS post) which got me started as it was my understanding when I bought the caravan that the warranty was not transferrable but if it is I'll certainly have it!!!  We bought caravan privately (although well checked by an MCEA engineer) so we don't have any warranty at the mo: -

"Right!! Rang Lunar so this is from the horse's mouth.All caravans from 2009 models now have a transferable warranty. Any vans before this do not. Even a van bought in 2008 can have its warranty transfered as long as it is a 2009 model."

To make sure you get the warranty ensure you follow whatever procedure Lunar may prescribe to have that warranty in your name ....in writing. May be useful for you to post on here the procedure Lunar require for other Lunar owners.

Have fun

Phil

Legally, its the person who pays for the warranty, scarletsfan, and that warranty is a personal contract between the manufacturer and the buyer.  However, the industry does seem to have changed its view on transferable warranties in the last couple of years and now most, if not all, permit transfers, subject to the age of the van, and subject to compliance with the conditions.

A warranty can only be transferred in writing, so if you are buying second hand, and the warranty can be transferred make sure you complete the correct type of document as specified in the warranty document/caravan handbook. There is also a need to notify the manufacturer of that transfer and there is usually a fee to pay, around £25ish.

Many second hand caravans are advertised with a statement that it is "still under warranty." Well, yes it is for the present owner, but what you want to know is that the warranty can be transferred and that the present owner(s) has complied with his/her obligations e.g servicing. Check the form of warranty and the caravan handbook to see that all services have been recorded and stamped by the dealer undertaking the servicing.

Phil

I do agree that the warranty should be on the van and if there is evidence that the caravan has been cared for in accordance with the warranty then it should remain valid.  It has to remain fit for purpose under the sale of goods act as has been mentioned but it would be much easier for all concerned if the hassle which would come with trying to claim that way could be avoided.  Hopefully I will not need to call on either!!

"It has to remain fit for purpose under the sale of goods act "

The law doesn't actually work like that. All the Sale of Goods Act, etc does is to imply into a contract for the purchase of goods (in this case a caravan) a condition that the goods are "fit for purpose" . That is a contract between the original buyer and the original commercial seller. Once the original buyer has sold the goods on the original contract falls by the wayside so the Sale of Goods act "fit for purpose" condition no longer exists. Its personal to the original buyer, in effect

Now that manufacturers are permitting transfers of warranties they are going beyond the current consumer legislation which is good and as you say that warranty should remain with the van. Maybe Parliament will catch up with the wishes of the people some day.

Phil