Is getting a habitation service necessary?
We all love to get out and about on road trips, visiting new places, so making sure that your motorhome or campervan is well maintained should be of the utmost importance.
With this in mind, we would advise having the habitation area of your motorhome or campervan regularly serviced by a qualified professional. Even though a habitation service is not legally required, with some members even wondering if it’s worth the money, a thorough service will ensure that all the essential parts of your motorhome or campervan are in a good condition and are operating as they should. A service will check all the critical components including the bodywork, the ventilation, gas, water and electric systems, so if there are any possible problems you can address them quickly.
What are the benefits of getting your motorhome or campervan habitation area serviced?
The main benefit is reassurance that your vehicle is in a good, reliable and safe condition. This will give you peace of mind that it’s safe to use for your family and loved ones and is less likely to let you down while on holiday.
Regular habitation servicing of your motorhome or campervan gives you the chance to catch any little problems early on, before they potentially become bigger and more costly.
If your motorhome or campervan is still under warranty, it is recommended and often a requirement with the manufacturers that they are serviced regularly. If you neglect to get it serviced, you may be voiding the warranty, leaving you responsible for the full cost of any repairs or replacements.
Regular maintenance is known to extend the life of your vehicle and it can also improve the resale value. This is because buyers are more likely to purchase a motorhome or campervan that has a proven track record of proper care.
Where can members go for a service?
Most repair centres and mobile service technicians offer services for the habitation area of motorhomes and campervans. However, we recommend using members of the Approved Workshop Scheme (AWS), so you can be confident you are using knowledgeable and well-trained experts.
While prices may vary across the UK, a motorhome or campervan habitation service typically costs between £150- £300, and usually takes between three to four hours to complete.
Every AWS member complies with an industry-wide Code of Practice, which means that all workshops will:
- Display a detailed list of prices and labour costs.
- Give a realistic estimated time for completion and collection.
- Make sure work is done using skill, care and professional judgement.
- Not start work without your express authority.
- Notify you in writing of unrectified faults.
- Normally guarantee all repairs for six months.
- Provide an estimate for additional servicing and repairs over £150.
- Use genuine spare parts where available.
- Always provide you with a checklist of work done.
- Contact you for authority to proceed if additional work is needed.
- Provide you with an honest assessment of the urgency of further repairs.
- Take all reasonable steps to protect any unexpired warranties.
Don’t forget that the servicing of a motorhome or campervan base vehicle is a separate exercise, which will often be done at a commercial vehicle specialist. Relatively few leisure vehicle dealers provide base vehicle servicing. Base vehicle servicing should be done in accordance with the base vehicle manufacturer's service schedule and any warranty conditions.
Getting your motorhome or campervan professionally serviced regularly should become your top priority before booking your next getaway. By investing in the care of your mobile home, you're not just maintaining a vehicle; you're safeguarding your travel experiences and ensuring that the road ahead remains stress free for you to enjoy your adventures.