Insufficient damp check?

Just had our 2012 Northants in for its habitation and damp check with BC Motorhomes in Ayr. When we bought her last year, the pre-sale damp check results were shown on an AWS/NCC approved damp report sheet with the moisture readings found in each area shown in the van diagrams. This time, the same sheet was used  but no damp readings were given, all we got was "Water and visual only. No damp noted" written in the comments box.

Has there been a change in the required procedure for damp tests? Not really happy to have less information than last time and so no way to compare the state of the van to last year. 

The dealer should have performed the habitation check of items agreed by you. His standard check may not include a damp check however, if he said he was going to doe one, it should be completed and recorded properly.

Their website says "We can also as part of your habitation check carry out a full damp check on your vehicle with our top of the range equipment.  With this option we will present accurate moisture readings to you on an NCC approved damp check report." and our receipt says we paid for a damp check, so I expected it to be done as described and as it was done last time.

Have you asked them for a copy of the results?

Apparently "Water and visual only. No damp noted" written in the comments box is all they think they need (and have) to give us. The person on the desk couldn't explain what exactly "Water and visual only" means and there was a bit of muttering about the damp meters not being accurate anyway, but the technicians were not there when we collected the van, so we didn't get to speak to the person who did the check. Will go back and push them on it, but thought I'd check on here first to see if these tests have been withdrawn in general.

If its a top of the range damp check meter then I would assume that it is a non invasive unit like this
Extech MO257 Pinless Moisture Meter ( approx £180)
. Unlike the run of the mill damp meters that rely on the electrical conductivity between two sharp probes stuck into the surface under test. Resulting in pin prick marks on all surfaces tested, like this:-
Brennenstuhl 1298680 Moisture Detector MD (approx £20 or less)
 no problem with carpeted surfaces but would be visible on plastic and other flat surfaces (doors & 'lino' floor covering).
If you have paid more than a few £ for the test then it should be fully documented with readings and their locations well identified otherwise the test is worthless and of no use to you for future sales info. or as a comeback against any remedial damp work undertaken by the company.
frederic

Having purchased a new van from bc motorhomes I would not advise anyone to deal with them if you are looking for the Honest Men of Ayr you are in the wrong place

More info re BC Motorhomes  would be welcomed.
frederic

wwinky wrote:Having purchased a new van from bc motorhomes I would not advise anyone to deal with them if you are looking for the Honest Men of Ayr you are in the wrong place

This.

I took a complaint all the way to Director level of Border Cars and was basically told to go away - if I wasn't prepared to meet their terms then the complaint would not be considered.

After a post on their social media channels, I was promptly blocked.

Wouldn't go near them again for anything - to the extent that we've walked away from the remainder of our A/S warranty rather than deal with BC Motorhomes.

Tommy.

Hi Tommy,
I realise you live in the Glasgow area and the AS Factory/Service Centre at Willersey is a long drive south, but it might be worth considering transferring the warranty issues (AS are happy to do that) and perhaps any annual servicing to them. 
If you were to combine a trip south to the Service centre with a holiday (the CMC Broadway site is not far away) then that might overcome the difficulties you have with your dealer and also maintain your warranty service record for any sale in the future.

Thanks Liam.

We run our vehicles until they fall apart underneath us, so, by the time we want to trade it in, the lack of warranty service won't matter. That's not to say we don't still have it serviced and a hab check, just not by an A/S dealer.

It made the decision to walk away a fairly easy one.

Sorry to hear of your troubles but it's quite a liberating feeling walking away from a toxic situation and you've rid yourselves of these bad eggs. I'm quite amazed that for the price of a small amount of time they couldn't re do the damp check and give you some proper numbers. It may have been a complete load of tosh but on my recent hab check on my old Clubman, I was given a diagram of the van with ticks on where the readings had been read and numbers instead of ticks where any moisture was found. My van did well just a couple of readings around the skylights which I'm sorting out at the moment. There are lots of independents out there. Try someone else next time. If you like them you will use them again. I'm afraid the motorhome industry is really one big rip off though but it's tricky to avoid expensive workshops sometimes though because of the size of our vehicles. I am constantly infuriated by people who are supposed to be fixing my van just ignoring my fault list and doing whatever takes their fancy or just doing the bare minimum easy jobs at a silly price and ignoring the ones that take time or thought. I keep trying though and I've got a couple of people for different jobs that I do have some faith in.

Like weegie I also walked away from remainder of a/s warranty rather than deal with BC. Motorhomes 
Constantly lied to by sales staff had to ask them to stop treating us like two o.a.p.in there dottage
New van supplied with water and gas leaks also ill fitting habitation door tearing rubber seals due to insufficient clearance
Asked BC.motorhomes for repair to door under A/S warranty.Received a phone call two weeks later from manager BC m/h. telling me A/S. had rejected my claim but he offered to repair my van and would give me a good price.(brand new two month old motorhome).I will not print my reply
Phoned A/S myself no problem with my claim had a new habitation door fitted at Willersy
I have been dealing with car and van salesman all my life but have never experienced a crowd of rogues like B/C motorhomes 

Wwinky

Yes, sorry to hear of your problems. I know that some Marquis dealers get a bad press, however when we have used the Southampton branch we too are given a diagram with actual measurements written in with details  about what they mean.
We also get details of gas and electric checks and feel that they do what is required and we're happy with the service provided.
We have always been treated properly by the branch and would recommend them.
Cheers, Andy