$1800 to Transfer Caravan Warranty to New Owner?

bensl on 22/06/2024 - 07:20
Last edited 22/06/2024 - 12:20 by 1 other user

Hi all, we are looking to purchase a second hand caravan that still has a significant balance of the new warranty remaining.

I rang the manufacturer to confirm if the warranty would be transferable and they said they charge a fee of $1800 to transfer it into the new name! This includes a thorough check over though apparently.

Is this even legal? I'm guessing yes because the caravan industry seem to write their own rules but how can the warranty of a car transfer automatically and they think charging $1800 is appropriate? (Because they can is the obvious answer, I guess).

Cheers

• 

  Pikaloo on 22/06/2024 - 07:31

  +6

  Generally, if you sell your car while it is still under the manufacturer's warranty, the remaining warranty period automatically passes onto the new owner (unless the warranty states otherwise). Take a look at what the warranty states.

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  AndyC1 on 22/06/2024 - 07:46

  -1

  Have you read the warranty doc(s) from cover to cover?

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  Euphemistic on 22/06/2024 - 07:50

  +12

  I wonder what aussie consumer law would say if you asked about a transfer fee. My guess is that you arent required to pay rhe money to have your otem covered under warranty.

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  MS Paint on 22/06/2024 - 09:09

  +1

  Is that specific to the structural warranty?

  Some manufacturers require annual inspections for the warranty to remain valid. If the previous owners haven't done that then the warranty may be void anyway.

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  AngoraFish on 22/06/2024 - 09:27

  +3

  These kinds of warranties are just made up things and include extra promises beyond those required by Australian Consumer Law. The retailer can include whatever additional conditions they write into them, including that the warranty does not transfer if the goods are later on-sold, so long as the warranty does not reduce your statutory rights.

  You do, however, still have rights under Australian Consumer Law if it later turns out that the item is not of acceptable quality or not fit for purpose. This still applies regardless of whether you pay the warranty transfer fee and regardless or whether you are the original purchaser.

  Odds on, however, the manufacturer is going to make it difficult for you to claim if you aren't the original purchaser, such as by requiring receipts, claiming that the issue is due to your failure to adequately maintain or safely store the caravan, and suchlike. It may or may not therefore be worth your while jumping through those hoops depending on the severity of the problem.

  Whether it's worth your while paying a $1800 transfer free will depend on what additional rights this particular warranty gives you beyond those that are already statutorily guaranteed. It certainly would make it much easier to pursue a claim, given that you have paid actual money to the original manufacturer and are now a direct and not a second-hand customer.

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  GordonD on 22/06/2024 - 09:40

  Conditions on the transfer of warranties appear to be the accepted practice with caravans.

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  sheamas88 on 22/06/2024 - 09:42

  +5

  The manufacturers warranty isn't required to be transferable, as these warranties are voluntary offerings from the manufacturer and they can set the terms.

  People above referring to the ACL is different to the manufacturers warranty. This is the rights you have around defective products and applies despite any limitations they might try to outline in the manufacturer warranty. Second-hand goods are still covered under ACL (see page 22 and 32 here) which means any manufacturer defects or "not fit for purpose" issues are still covered.

  So you still have your rights under the ACL for a defective product, but the manufacturers warranty may have additional voluntary benefits that you won't be entitled too as the second owner if the warranty doesn't transfer. So you'll have to see if there is $1800 of benefit in the warranty vs what you'd be entitled to under consumer law,.

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  garetz on 22/06/2024 - 12:21

  +5

  Once its sold its outside of your control anyway, $1800 is an extortion, don't pay it.

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  [Deactivated] on 22/06/2024 - 16:46

  Just buy a different caravan

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  altomic on 22/06/2024 - 22:24

  -1

  $1800 to transfer it into the new name

  a thorough inspect ?! - "yeah, it's still a caravan….that'll be $1800"

  is the quality of the workmanship so terrible that a near new caravan requires a "thorough inspection"? I don't know what they would be inspecting it for? whether the new owners went to claim a fault, or the second owners claimed a fault…..if it is subject to a warranty then it should n't make a difference.

  as said above, that's just extortion.

  charge them an "entry fee" of $1801 to enter the caravan to do the inspection.

  what's the name of the company?

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  JimmyF on 22/06/2024 - 23:00

  +1

  Hi all, we are looking to purchase a second hand caravan that still has a significant balance of the new warranty remaining.

  How much are you talking about?

  Most vans only have a few year warranty at best! One of the best selling vans in OZ has these terms

  Jayco’s 2-Year Manufacturer’s Warranty is transferable to the second owner. The 5-Year Structural Warranty is an offer limited to the original purchaser only.

  Laughable…. 2 years on a $80k van!

  • 

    reactor-au on 23/06/2024 - 10:09

    They obviously stand by their product — while you tow it out the show room.

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  The Hunted on 23/06/2024 - 10:02

  +1

  If you still want the caravan and the warranty ask for a $1800 discount