We took delivery of a brand new (previous yr demo) caravan last month. We just noticed that there was a screw sticking out of the roof near the centre that when my hubby investigated, came away in his hand, leaving a small hole. We are returning to the dealers with it today but unsure what remedy is acceptable. They will do a temporary repair but don't know what is a reasonable permanent solution and don't want to be fobbed off with a repair job on a brand new caravan. Advice needed please 🙏
Quote: Originally posted by daveyjp on 24/6/2025
Permanent solution is to fill the hole. Not a difficult or complicated process and not something I'd lose sleep over.
You'd be surprised how many new vehicles need repairing before reaching the customer and they are none the wiser.
Thank you so much for replying. We are relative newbies (2 yrs owning) and not sure if a repair is acceptable or not. Would we be entitled to some compensation in your view? Only asking as the caravan we part-exed had a repair on the bodywork done prior to our ownership that reduced the price they gave us in part ex. So I'm thinking that it will reduce the value of our new van
Done 'properly' the hole can be invisibly filled and the repair repainted to match the panel, as would be the case with accident damage, it would be impossible to detect then.
If the dealer has, or has access to body repair facilities, it's not a hugely expensive repair for them to do at cost! I had a number of minor body faults put right by the dealer when I bought my van s/h, they didn't quibble as it secured them the sale
The dealer may want to get 'cheap' on you and just put a dob of sealant over it! I'd advise DON'T! Technically filling/sealing the hole is no challenge with the right materials, and done properly it can be as permanent a repair as the materials allow (all sealants deteriorate over time), which may be many years. I'd be inclined to do more than just put a dob of sealant over the hole! - that could easily become dislodged during cleaning. I'd affix a plate over the hole to give a much greater sealed area, but downside is it makes the repair more obvious! Functional, but a poor second for doing a proper repair.
Devaluation is another matter! If done 'properly' as an invisible repair it is not an issue. But if done as a patch, if truly out of sight on top of the roof, I doubt anyone (even a dealer!) is ever going to notice it at sale time, so not likely to be an issue. But it is there, and someone has every right to point it out and maybe try to negotiate a discount!
So much depends on the dealer and their willingness to do right by you! You could refuse to accept the van but likely to be a case of 'cut off your nose to spite your face' if you love the van and got it at a good price.
If they refuse to do a 'proper' repair, maybe try and get compensation from the dealer (with threat of right to reject the van - idle or otherwise!), probably more likely to work if willing to take goods (some caravan related kit) in kind rather than try for cash on an already discounted van, on account of it's devalued resale value. Dealers rarely concede easily, and will BS, you may have to be forceful! If in an appropriate place, you could get cheeky and suggest covering patch repair with a Solar Panel (at least partly funded by them - maybe free panel or labour)! If you don't ask you don't get!
Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 24/6/2025
Done 'properly' the hole can be invisibly filled and the repair repainted to match the panel, as would be the case with accident damage, it would be impossible to detect then.
If the dealer has, or has access to body repair facilities, it's not a hugely expensive repair for them to do at cost! I had a number of minor body faults put right by the dealer when I bought my van s/h, they didn't quibble as it secured them the sale
The dealer may want to get 'cheap' on you and just put a dob of sealant over it! I'd advise DON'T! Technically filling/sealing the hole is no challenge with the right materials, and done properly it can be as permanent a repair as the materials allow (all sealants deteriorate over time), which may be many years. I'd be inclined to do more than just put a dob of sealant over the hole! - that could easily become dislodged during cleaning. I'd affix a plate over the hole to give a much greater sealed area, but downside is it makes the repair more obvious! Functional, but a poor second for doing a proper repair.
Devaluation is another matter! If done 'properly' as an invisible repair it is not an issue. But if done as a patch, if truly out of sight on top of the roof, I doubt anyone (even a dealer!) is ever going to notice it at sale time, so not likely to be an issue. But it is there, and someone has every right to point it out and maybe try to negotiate a discount!
So much depends on the dealer and their willingness to do right by you! You could refuse to accept the van but likely to be a case of 'cut off your nose to spite your face' if you love the van and got it at a good price.
If they refuse to do a 'proper' repair, maybe try and get compensation from the dealer (with threat of right to reject the van - idle or otherwise!), probably more likely to work if willing to take goods (some caravan related kit) in kind rather than try for cash on an already discounted van, on account of it's devalued resale value. Dealers rarely concede easily, and will BS, you may have to be forceful! If in an appropriate place, you could get cheeky and suggest covering patch repair with a Solar Panel (at least partly funded by them - maybe free panel or labour)! If you don't ask you don't get!
Good luck.
Thanks for taking the time to reply. We took the van back to the dealers this morning. They did a quick 'spot' repair with sealant as we are away this weekend, but we have booked in to have a proper job done and a 'skin' over the whole roof so it will be invisible. They said the hole was caused by the manufacturers (Baileys) and we didn't fancy arguing the toss with them so just accepted the repair!
Not impressed Bailey send out new vans with spurious screws/holes in the roof! That truly is shoddy work and contemptable attitude towards customers!
Well aware many caravans leave the factory badly made, but a hole in the roof! My Lunar may be 9 years old now, and sadly they are now a defunct company, but I've been all over it in the years of ownership and yet to find manufacturing faults/shoddy build. Not inclined to swap it for newer van of different manufacture any time soon!
Quote: Originally posted by Monty15 on 24/6/2025
Glad you have an acceptable solution.
Not impressed Bailey send out new vans with spurious screws/holes in the roof! That truly is shoddy work and contemptable attitude towards customers!
Well aware many caravans leave the factory badly made, but a hole in the roof! My Lunar may be 9 years old now, and sadly they are now a defunct company, but I've been all over it in the years of ownership and yet to find manufacturing faults/shoddy build. Not inclined to swap it for newer van of different manufacture any time soon!
I totally agree though in fairness we are not entirely convinced it was a manufacturing fault. The van was used as a demo (we got a good price for it) though the obvious downside was that people had been inside it. The main problem was that the sliding door into the bedroom wasn't attached firmly to the ceiling. This was remedied and coincidentally exactly the site where the screw pierced the roof!! The dealership obviously blamed Baileys but hmm... not too sure myself. As I said we didn't think it worth arguing about as they are going to sort it.
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Topic: Hole in roof of brand new caravan
via mobile 24/6/2025 at 6:43am
