There’s no getting away from it – a motorhome habitation check is essential. A high-quality check conducted by an experienced (and if possible, accredited) technician will play an important role in ensuring you and the rest of your touring party stay safe, not only when you’re on the road but when you’re pitched up on site too.
A good habitation check will help you prolong your motorhome’s lifespan, limiting the chances of issues occurring when you’re touring – after all, having spent out on one of the best motorhomes, you will want to do everything you can to keep it working as it should.
It also fulfils your warranty obligations, and, when the time comes, could prove to be very useful when you’re selling your motorhome too.
A typical habitation check will see a technician conduct a series of tests to make sure the various parts of the living area are all working safely and are ready to go for a year of memorable touring.
Note that these habitation checks are different from under-the-bonnet inspections or services – the former, which we’re dealing with here, refer solely to checks or servicing of the habitation (living) area of your ’van.
The Approved Workshop Scheme
You may have heard of the Approved Workshop Scheme (AWS) – this is the benchmark for motorhome maintenance and servicing in the UK.
The AWS is the result of a venture between the National Caravan Council (NCC), the Camping and Caravanning Club and the Caravan and Motorhome Club.
It makes sure AWS-accredited servicing is always conducted by professionals who are trained and experienced.
A formal checklist is given to every AWS technician, who could be based in a dealership, in an independent workshop, or even work in a mobile capacity.
The checklist features a comprehensive list of items that will need to be checked, covering a range of categories, including:
- Underbody
- Electrical systems
- Gas systems (including the fridge)
- Water systems
- Ventilation
- Fire and safety
- Bodywork
Due to the in-depth nature of a motorhome service, it will take several hours to conduct.
You can find a certified AWS organisation or check the AWS credentials of a technician at approvedworkshops.co.uk/find-approved-workshop.
You can also see what is necessary for a technician to receive AWS accreditation by visiting the Caravan Industry Training website.
Note down any issues
While the habitation servicing is being conducted, a technician will assess your ‘van using the formal checklist, but it’s still worth having your own list of issues that you may have noticed while out and about in your motorhome.
We’d advise keeping this list in a drawer of your motorhome, so you can add to it if anything comes up while you’re on tour.
The electric and gas systems
During the annual motorhome servicing, the electrics and gas systems are among the most important bits to check, as they could become very dangerous if faulty.
Things to test include the leisure battery, the RCD and cabling on the electrical side, and the cylinder(s), regulators, hoses, pipes and burners in the gas system. Check that your service will cover these items.
The habitation check and warranties
If you’re buying a new motorhome with a long habitation/bodywork warranty, it is only going to be honoured on the basis that the ‘van needs to be annually serviced by either an approved technician or dealership, sticking to a strict timetable.
Exactly how strict this is will depend on the manufacturer, with some having a tight 60-day schedule while others offer six-month windows. Make sure your chosen dealership explains this to you clearly.
Similar principles apply to buying used too, with the motorhome warranties most likely having servicing guidelines which have to be followed as well.
While this is important for all parts of a motorhome – for instance, the heating and lighting – it will be especially crucial for any water ingress warranties, which can last for six to 10 years.
Should a leak develop in your ‘van after five years, the motorhome’s manufacturer will need to see proof that the servicing timetable has been followed. Failing to do so (as well as having proof) is likely to invalidate the guarantee.
An annual service also helps to detect any problems early on. This can be the difference between having to reseal with some silicone and a drying-out period, and having to replace an interior panel or section of the floor, which could end up making your vehicle unusable for a whole touring season.
We’d advise booking your next service when your current one is completed. This is because good dealerships will have busy workshops, so it can be difficult to get a slot late on, which you may need to keep your motorhome’s warranty valid.
What servicing means for insurance claims
Not getting your motorhome serviced regularly could also complicate matters if you need to make an insurance claim, particularly if you are deemed negligent.
Having a quality, yearly service will instead provide you with some valuable peace of mind.
What about getting extra devices maintained?
Any big motorhome upgrades that you have installed, such as a satellite dish or air conditioning, should only be done by an expert technician.
While an annual service could check the basic function and safety of these devices, their maintenance and any repairs are less likely to be covered, so should be booked as a separate job with the business which was responsible for fitting the device, or else through another suitable expert.
Who to choose for your motorhome’s habitation check
When you’re choosing who to use for your motorhome’s annual habitation check, you will most likely find that your warranty will require you to opt for a manufacturer-approved service facility or an AWS technician.
The majority of owners will choose the dealership they bought their motorhome from, but if you purchased it from one that is quite a journey away, this may not be the most convenient solution.
If this applies to you, you may have to find a suitable independent NCC/AWS outfit that is based locally. This is because you will find many dealerships do not want to service or conduct warranty work on ‘vans that they did not sell.
We’d strongly recommend discussing your servicing requirements and any limitations when you’re buying the motorhome.
As a final point, if you find your dealer has gone out of business, you can contact the manufacturer to find a replacement service centre with the necessary accreditation.
After having your motorhome habitation check carried out, you can start thinking about touring destinations. For those who like more rural getaways, knowing how to power your ‘van will be an important part of an enjoyable trip – check out our guide to how to power a motorhome off-grid to find out the various gadgets that can help you ensure your ‘van never runs out.
Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Motorhome, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances. Individuals should take appropriate safety precautions and be aware of the risk of electrocution when dealing with electrical products. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information. Double check any warranty is not affected before proceeding.
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