First habitation check

we have just found the card from Marquis with the date of our first habitation check on it. It is naturally a date we can't make as we will still be on one of our long breaks. If we get it postponed a couple of days we will be OK except we want to go away for our second long break a few days after that.

What we don't want to do is unload EVERYTHING (take it up two flights of stairs to our flat and take it all back down again) if it can stay in the van. Typically, what do they (Marquis) do at this check?

Very little
PeteJ

I just had our hab check yesterday, and our dealer did quite a lot! (Not Marquis, so can't pass a opinion there.)

We emptied all the top lockers, the wardrobe and toilet so they could easily poke in their damp meter. That's the most important criterion I think - checking for damp.

You will probably have your internal fridge vents replaced as a recall, and the new ones fitted with a gasket. It might be worth asking about this beforehand in case Marquis are as dilatory as some members have reported!   Our dealer has 60 sets in stock, so it's obviously ongoing.

Thanks Dave, we would rather not empty the cupboards so we will see about putting the appointment back to after the second trip.

And yes, we use the very same Marquis that has a bad reputation on here.

Have you thought of a mobile service chap?

Most of them are fully accredited and although I obviously have no idea of your circumstances it might be easier for you to move the contents out of his way for just an hour or two, rather than having to drive away for most of a day.

Perhaps avoid the hassle of offloading stuff to take home by using the services of a mobile habitation service person to visit your van in storage? He would just move things about to gain access to all the areas to check for damp. Don't think this action would invalidate any warranty issues with Marquis if the need arose to present the dealer with any necessary repairs. It worked for us on a previous van and our most recent habitation cost was £100 being much less than what most dealers charge. Ah, Gromit beat me to it.

The  sales package with our Rienza included two habitation checks at there premises. This meant an early start or stay overnight on a site near the dealers. I never thought of leaving our stuff in the lockers. We emptied the grey tank and toilet but left the water tank full for them to test the system. 
When we picked up the van they gave us a list of the things they had checked and I was supprised to see little stickers on things they had checked.
When the free checks are done we will use some one local, maybe mobile, this would solve the traveling 100 miles for the checks.

I am just a bit concerned about mobile service checks, although I did use one when we had the caravan and everything went fine.

Main concern is how do mobile engineers check under the van without a 4 post ramp?

Looking under mine the other day from a low angle there seems a lot going on under there.

Had ours done last month at the supply dealer, who offered a 3 year deal and they used the ramp to have a good check around.

Richard

We are on our way for the first major trip of the year! On our way meaning ALMOST packed and ready to go less than two hours after the planned departure time.

Once we are away we will give Marquis & a mobile inspector a call and see what they offer.

Thanks for the hints & ideas.

Hi
   If your  MH has extended warranty with Marquis I would check and get it in writing that having the habitation check done late does not affect any claims that you may wish to make now or in the future
Regards
Alan

rgermain wrote:I am just a bit concerned about mobile service checks, although I did use one when we had the caravan and everything went fine.

Main concern is how do mobile engineers check under the van without a 4 post ramp?

Looking under mine the other day from a low angle there seems a lot going on under there.

Had ours done last month at the supply dealer, who offered a 3 year deal and they used the ramp to have a good check around.

Richard

Can recommend Total Caravan Care, 6 Funtley Lane, Fareham, Hampshire, PO17 5EQ. Tel: 01329 221674. www.totalcaravancare.co.uk
You can view the actual 'Service Check sheet' of  any 'Approved Workshop' technician to confirm all aspects of the habitation check. Can easily examine the under body parts such as corner steadies, folding step, under slung tanks, pipes, LPG tank all of which does not require axle stands or ramps. £110..... much less than a dealer.

I'm definitely not getting a mobile check done. The one name I found in my area isn't certified for warranty inspections, and while he knows of three other independents in this area none of them are certified either. He did suggest one workshop but that is not far short of Marquis.

We were asked to empty the van before the Habitation service, I explained that we were traveling 130 miles for the service and might need a few things to make the van usable overnight also that I have mobility problems so emptying a van is a major undertaking for me.
They done the service and damp check with everything in place,I mean, how much room do you need to place a probe in a cupboard? 
Booked again for this years service (in a couple of weeks time) and again they said to empty the cupboards, you think that they would put a note on your file, let you know if they do it all without a fuss.
Pete

Ha ha ha, this is Marquis you're talking about! They can't even communicate reliably between the front desk and the workshop, if my experience is anything to go by.

couldn't agree more, our last van was from Marquis and I vowed never to use them again, we bought our current van from Westcountry motorhomes a round trip of 230 miles but so much better than Marquis (so far)
Pete

We had three hab checks, one Marquis and two at AS. Didn't take anything out and it wasn't a problem. Even had stuff in the fridge as normally en route somewhere.
Gromit; would you send me details of the fridge vent recalls please. Tnx 

Jaytee wrote:Gromit; would you send me details of the fridge vent recalls please. Tnx 

I don't know if there was one?

Our dealer replaced them as a matter of course when the van went in for a hab check. That made sense to me as it's not an immediate or urgent problem, and it saved making two journeys.

Gromit wrote:

Jaytee wrote:Gromit; would you send me details of the fridge vent recalls please. Tnx 

I don't know if there was one?

Our dealer replaced them as a matter of course when the van went in for a hab check. That made sense to me as it's not an immediate or urgent problem, and it saved making two journeys.

Off topic, sorry. What was purpose of change?

The inner white frames have been falling to bits, due (it is thought) to a reaction with either the sealant or the solvent they used to clean them off after fitting.

New ones are fitted, but on a gasket this time. Most of the vent covers are now being fitted in this way I believe.

Thanks Dave

Just had first hab at marquise and having been pleased with a previous visit found two days later when on a site that we had no electric  for water or heating. heki roof vent was not closing well due to being used with to much force during hab check leaving a gap.  They did the same last year different van breaking winding mechanism completely am I being picked on.

Nope. Par for the course

Hi Jaytee, our cracked fridge vents were replaced by AS in March this year at our request and it was carried out with the new gasket version, without cost to ourselves. Mark is aware of the wider problem with these vents and replacing them where necessary. However if you use AS I would mention it to them, don't expect them to replace them automatically. I am sure there would be no problem.
At the time we were showing areas up to 35% damp round the inside wall of the vents. This has now receded thank goodness!

Pete

dbroada wrote:I'm definitely not getting a mobile check done. The one name I found in my area isn't certified for warranty inspections, and while he knows of three other independents in this area none of them are certified either. He did suggest one workshop but that is not far short of Marquis.

I shall try "Stewart Mouland" at Peacehaven next year, had first year done by Marquis because I had a credit to my name, so it did not cost me anything. Their charge is £160,00 apparently. Peacehaven is next to Saltdean Dave. 

Thanks everyone. Marquis have given us 1 year plus 60 days from delivery to get our check done so we can now unload on our return from holiday two. By going to Marquis we might finally get the bung to go in the table socket that broke soon after getting the van which has "been on order" everytime we have stopped there.

M8, let me know how you get on. Peacehaven is no further than Golden Cross.