THE IMPORTANCE OF… SERVICING YOUR CARAVAN

‘DISTRESS PURCHASES’ ARE those things that we have to pay for with unavoidable regularity, but see no tangible benefit or life improvement from – insurance, boiler repairs, replacement tyres, and yes, car and caravan servicing.

Of course, you have to buy these things – it will cost you a lot more in the long run if you don’t – but that doesn’t ease the pain as you swipe your card or hand over your hard-earned cash.

Value for money

So when you do have to fork out for such things, best make sure you’re getting value for money, and in the case of your beloved tourer, the servicing is thorough and of the highest standard.

These days, a good-quality annual caravan service is likely to cost you somewhere between £150 and £250, depending on where you live. But this will definitely be money well spent. Here’s why: n Regular servicing maintains the warranty on any new or newish tourer. Usually, your warranty states that an annual service is part of the contract. The dates are normally pretty prescriptive, too, and any oversight or delay could invalidate your warranty. Best to book early!

■ A thorough service will identify any significant problems, such as water ingress, early on.

■ If you have a full-service history for your van, it shows that you look after it. This will reassure potential buyers when you sell it on, and should secure a better price.

■ You can’t put a price on your personal safety. Gas and electrical appliances in your caravan could be lethal if they are not properly maintained. Cleaning flues and maintaining burners will eliminate any chance of carbon monoxide build-up in your tourer.

Finally, nobody wants to find themselves stranded on the hard shoulder of the M5 because of a mechanical breakage in their much-loved caravan or, worse still, a seriously damaged or even totally destroyed unit, should the very worst happen. Servicing helps minimise the risk.

John Sootheran