My rights under Consumer Rights Act 2015

Posted on 12/11/2017 09:37 by dexterlevi

I am trying to find out if I am able to reject a new caravan that recently went in for a warranty repair to fix an internal water leak. I have read other posts on other sites where if I have read it correctly, I may be in a position to reject. The circumstances are:

We took delivery of our new Elddis Avante 550 Caravan in late July 2017. Whilst away on a trip in late August we became aware of water running across the floor. I found the water to be coming from the water inlet pipe where it enters a t piece and then runs off to the kitchen sink.

The van went back to the dealer for the leak to be repaired along with a couple of other warranty repairs. Apparently they simply cut away the end of the pipe which was damaged and then reconnected to the t piece.

We collected the van approx 3 weeks ago and went away this weekend for a 2 night trip. This was the first trip since the repair to the leak was carried out.

When setting up the van we connected the water barrel to the pump and then opened the taps to prime the system. No water came out of the tap but I then became aware that the floor of the van was covered in water. By covered, I mean water everywhere. I quickly noticed that the water was leaking, well I should say spraying out like a sprinkler at the same point the dealer carried out the initial repair. So the extent of the leak was worse after the so called repair.

We quickly turned of water supply, pump and electrics as the water had sprayed over all the main electrics. We did our best to mop up what we could but to put it into context we have 2 large soaked bath towels and a large blanket/throw. This was the water we were able to soak up.

Water has run along at least half of the floor surface of the van including under front locker, both front seats and under fridge, cooker and across the other side of the van to the van wall and into the bathroom.

My reason for considering a reject is two fold. Firstly repair not completed first time and secondly is the potential damage to the van not only now but more likely in the future when the woodwork which has come into contact with water swells etc due to water damage. I am pretty certain that water will have gone under the floor lino so there is likely to be water in between the lino and wooden floor.To do this properly I think the dealer will need to to take a fair bit of the van furniture apart to capture and dry all the leakage. This will take time.
For anyone who is aware of the Elddis range they will know that the van is built with the SOLID construction system, so it should be water tight. That should stop water getting into the van. Worryingly I saw water running out from under the van which was clearly the internal leak finding its way out through the so called bonding and sealing? The SOLID construction should make it water tight so this is another potential flaw?

I am trying to read the Consumer Rights Act of 2015 myself but would welcome any help in interpreting this and what my rights might be. I don't necessarily want a refund. I would like a new van that has not been internally drenched in water after a first attempt repair by the dealer, which is likely to present further problems in the future.

Thanks
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