When it comes to servicing your motorhome, it might be worth remembering that it is effectively a two-in-one vehicle – there’s the vehicle which gets you from A to B and inside there are the living quarters that make it your temporary home away from home.
Both aspects need to be taken care of, so, you might want to insist that your motorhome servicing is performed only by a reputable, well-established and competent dealer.
Mechanical service
Your motorhome is subject to the same laws and regulations as other vehicles in terms of the MOT certificate that is required once it is more than three years old.
If your motorhome has reached the age when an MOT test is necessary, this may also be the time to arrange for it to be serviced. Regular servicing throughout the life of your motorhome is likely to be a condition of any warranty offered by the manufacturer or dealer.
To ensure that you abide by the terms and conditions of any warranty, you may also need to make sure that the workshops you use for the mechanical service use only genuine, manufacturer-recommended replacement parts.
What is a motorhome habitation service?
If it is the first motorhome you have owned, you might be less familiar with the term habitation service. It is essentially the specialised servicing necessary to maintain the living quarters of your motorhome.
A UK motorhome habitation service is a routine maintenance and safety check performed on a motorhome’s habitation area or living space. This service is essential to ensure the motorhome’s living quarters are safe, functional, and comply with relevant regulations and standards.
What does a habitation service cover?
The habitation service typically covers facilities such as the gas, electrical, water, and heating systems in your motorhome – including the galley and the fridge, although some servicing of appliances might be done separately. It also covers a check for any leaks in the structure of your vehicle and any problems which might be traced to damp or mould.
Habitation servicing is pretty thorough and time-consuming in giving the interior of your motorhome the exhaustive treatment it needs. Typical tasks involved in a motorhome habitation service may include:
- Gas system check: Inspecting gas appliances, connections, and ensuring proper ventilation to prevent gas leaks or carbon monoxide issues.
- Electrical system check: Testing the electrical systems, including lighting, sockets, appliances, and the leisure battery, to ensure they function correctly and safely.
- Water system Check: Checking for leaks, ensuring the water pump works correctly, and testing the water heater and other plumbing components.
- Ventilation check: Inspecting and testing the ventilation systems to ensure proper airflow and prevent condensation or mould growth.
- Dampness and seals check: Checking for any signs of dampness, water leaks, or damage to seals and addressing issues to prevent further damage.
- Fire safety check: Ensuring that fire safety equipment like smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are functional and accessible.
- Appliance and equipment check: Inspecting and testing appliances such as the cooker, refrigerator, heating systems, etc., to ensure they work correctly and are safe to use.
- Structural and body Inspection: Inspecting the structure of the motorhome, including windows, doors, locks, hinges, and bodywork, to identify any damage or potential issues.
As with mechanical servicing, regular habitation services are likely to be one of the conditions of the warranty that comes with your motorhome. For that to be valid, of course, you need to rely on a specialist workshop, experienced in conducting such servicing, to maintain your warranty.
Where do I get a motorhome habitation service?
Probably the best way of achieving that degree of reassurance is to use a member of the Approved Workshop Scheme (AWS) set up by the National Caravan Council, the Camping and Caravanning Club, and the Caravan and Motorhome Club.
By choosing a reputable, approved, specialist workshop for your motorhome servicing, such as us here at Derby Motorhomes, you ensure that sufficient time is taken to carry out the rigorous checks, using the specialist tools that are required.
Regular servicing of your motorhome – for both the mechanical and habitation integrity and safety of the vehicle – is an essential part of owning it. It expresses your tender loving care for your motorhome, maintains the validity of any warranty, and ultimately preserves its trade-in value.
