We are currently under canvas campers and love it, but are considering getting a caravan. I've found a nice 2013 Swift, and we both really like it. BUT.... Swift do a 10 year body warranty for the 1st owner which is not transferable. However, it is possible to transfer the balance of the 6 year body warranty provided all of the servicing has been done within strict time limits and by a Swift approved outlet.
Although this particular 'van is one owner, in lovely nick and has a comprehensive service record, all receipts, paperwork etc are included. The Swift warranty lapsed due to one previous service not being carried out on time.
The seller (seemingly long standing and reputable) is offering a 12 month warranty along similar lines to Swift. But of course this means that a similar van with a valid "Swift" history would now have two years body warranty.
Looking at similar aged/spec vans around the internet, the price of the van is very competitive, and as I said it's a really nice unit with no signs of neglect/damp etc (I'm a qualified Building Surveyor, so I have some idea how to check things for leaks etc ) It also has a mover fitted and comes complete with leads/water carriers etc.
So am I being a bit of a ninny over 12 months of warranty? Possibly a difficult question to answer but I'd appreciate comments from you more experienced people out there.
We bought our 2012 Challenger when it was 2 years old, not sure if the bodywork warranty was transferred, but I would go for it. If it is from a good dealer I can`t see the problem.
We too were tent people, but then decided to go for a caravan, and have never looked back.
I would go for it, as long as it's serviced before you pick it up. 12 month warranty should show up any glaring issues.
Use the caravan a lot to put it through its paces, more chance of finding issues.
Good luck
We bought our bailey when it was one yrs old from a non bailey dealers in huddersfield. The dealers themselves gave us a 12m warranty, I think this is the norm for newish vans. And we got the residual bailey warranty transferred over but they had to see it had been serviced within time, which wasn't too hard as there had only been one -the first one. But I think it is normal for manufacturers to insist servicing has been done as per the guidelines before they will transfer their warranty, which to us was 5 or 6 years fro memory. I think as there is only 2 years left on yours and the dealer will give you a 12m warranty, and given that alot of manufacturers seem to come up with alot of reasons for lots of things to not actually come under warranty it might be worth a shot and go for it, but I am no lawyer or expert so final decision is yours of course. Also one other thing I know on swifts is that they sometimes get stress cracks in the back top corners on the 'bumper' type mouldings on the outside which if left unchecked let's damp in. Check that and get it sorted (swift just out caps on) before buying. Good luck.
Whether it has cracks or not,if it is a Swift dealer they should be fitting caps if it has not got them already. This is a Swift recall. Our 2013 model was fitted with them at its second service as a prevention. These caps are thicker, therefore stronger than the back panel and gives piece of mind of not having a problem in later years.
Quote: Originally posted by Tidburyboy on 08/8/2017
Thanks Wibsey and irvine45
I guess what I'm really asking is -
Is it unusual for used caravans to be sold via dealers without the benefit of any residual manufacturers warranty?
I'm also guessing I am being a bit of a ninny
My mate took a caravan (Elddis) from a dealer with no residual warranty of any kind, and this was only 3 years old. He also only got 3 months dealers warranty.
Suffice to say, the van was a complete pup, and after less than 18 months, hes binning it off for another (Bailey). God knows how much hes lost. And given he is known as 'Mr Careful', i can only think he had a brainstorm when he bought the heap of scrap.
This is why we bought new one. We paid £14,500 in feb 2016 for a small 2 berth bailey pursuit 400-2 with a lot of extras including the alko stability system, sun room, microwave, spare wheel, jack etc etc.
We got the 6year body warranty etc which we can upgrade to 10 years *which I will if we still have it).
2nd hand 4 year old equivalent without all that kit would have been £11,500 and the warranty would be 2 years if the service history is bulletproof.
Looking ahead, both will depreciate at probably the same rate.
Luckily being pensioners we had the money, which with interest rates as they are, may as well be tied up in a caravan as sitting in a bank.
If you like it and you are happy then go for it, if you don't you will probably regret it. There can be different levels of warranty from a dealer on used vans so although you may get a 12 month peace of mind, some may not cover everything either due to age or cover level so if you want total peace of mind have a good read of what youre getting before parting with your cash
------------- its our imperfections that makes us perfect
Thanks for all the useful and interesting comments.
I am veering in the direction of a new or newer van as Swift have made significant changes to the way their vans are made. The later vans have no timber content at all, the post 2014 vans only have a timber floor, but this is marine ply within a GRP sandwich.
We bought a 2010 Swift Conqueror in 2013. Early last year Swift agreed to let the dealer repair it under warranty as there was a little damp in the rear. I think Swift are really good at authorising repairs The dealer asked me to go back 12 and 18 months after the repair to make sure everything was 100% watertight.
------------- We camped for years. In 2019 we bought an Elddis Avante 454. We like it as it is short (6.9m) and fits in our driveway and has a fixed bed.
We had 127 nights away in the caravan in 2023.
For peace of min d why don't you pay and independent Approved Workshop Service technician to give it the once over for damp. It should not cost more than about £60.
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Topic: Am I being too cautious?
) It also has a mover fitted and comes complete with leads/water carriers etc. 
