Faulty Caravan or Motorhome? Your Rights and How to Claim (UK)

Caravans and motorhomes are a major purchase, and faults — damp, dodgy electrics, water ingress, failing appliances — are sadly common. If you bought from a dealer, you have strong rights. Here is how to use them.

Your rights from a dealer

Bought from a dealer (new or used), a caravan or motorhome is covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015: it must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described, taking account of age, price, and mileage. A private sale gives you far fewer rights (mainly that it must match the description and be the seller's to sell).

Your remedies by timing

• Within 30 days: a serious fault gives you the short-term right to reject for a full refund.
• Within six months: the dealer gets one chance to repair or replace; if that fails, you can reject for a refund (which may be reduced for use). A fault in this period is presumed present at sale.
• Damp in particular is often an inherent quality problem you can pursue even later, backed by a damp report.

Common problems

• Water ingress and damp — the classic caravan defect.
• Faulty habitation electrics, gas, heating, or appliances.
• Delamination, soft floors, or structural issues.
• A habitation/service check that missed obvious faults.

How to claim

1. Get an independent habitation or damp report documenting the faults.
2. Report in writing promptly and keep all paperwork and photos.
3. If financed, the finance company is jointly liable — direct your claim there too and escalate to the Financial Ombudsman if needed.
4. Section 75 applies for a credit-card deposit over £100.

A complaint letter template

Dear [Dealer / Finance company],

Re: [Caravan/motorhome make, model] bought on [date]

The vehicle has the following faults: [list, with an independent report]. Under
the Consumer Rights Act 2015 it was not of satisfactory quality at sale. [Within
30 days: I am rejecting it for a full refund. / Otherwise: please repair these
faults; if the repair fails I will reject it.]

If financed, this claim also goes to the finance provider. Please respond within
14 days.

Yours faithfully,
[Your name and contact details]

Get an independent damp/habitation report early — it is the evidence that wins these claims — and remember the finance company is on the hook too if you bought on finance.