A caravan habitation check covers the living systems and interior of your caravan, including damp, gas, electrics, water, heating, and ventilation.
There’s an important difference to know about, though. A habitation-only check usually doesn’t include the chassis, brakes, or running gear. Coachman requires a full annual service to keep your warranty valid, so make sure you book the right one.
Caravan Habitation Check: What Happens on the Day
The aim is to spot wear, leaks or safety problems before they turn into bigger issues. An approved workshop follows set procedures and gives you a record of everything inspected.
Damp Testing During a Caravan Habitation Check
Water ingress can do a lot of damage if it goes unnoticed.
The engineer checks vulnerable areas of the bodywork and takes moisture readings to find any signs of water getting in. Seals, joints and interior areas are also checked for damp, condensation or wear. Keeping each year’s damp report gives you a useful record of the caravan’s condition and makes it easier to spot any areas that may need further attention.
This matters for your warranty. Current Coachman caravans come with a 10-year water ingress warranty, subject to its terms and servicing requirements.
Gas, Electrics and Water Systems
The living systems get a detailed safety and operation check. This usually includes:
• Gas system and appliance safety
• 230V electrical installation
• 12V electrics and battery
• Water pumps, taps, tanks and waste outlets
• Heating and hot water
• Ventilation
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
• Windows, doors and other habitation equipment
A gas safety check isn’t the same as fully servicing every appliance, so the engineer may recommend extra work separately.
Habitation Check vs Full Service: Chassis, Running Gear and Brakes
A habitation-only check deals mainly with the living area.
A full annual touring caravan service also covers the road-going parts, including brakes, wheels, tyres, suspension, hubs, hitch and breakaway cable.
If your Coachman is under warranty, you need to make sure the full annual servicing requirements are met rather than relying on a habitation-only check.
Why Annual Servicing Protects Your Warranty
To keep your warranty valid, your caravan must be serviced every year by a Coachman dealer or NCC Approved Service Centre. Your warranty applies provided the caravan is serviced annually in line with the required schedule.
This is especially important for water ingress cover, because your service history shows the caravan has been inspected and maintained properly. Coachman’s Advanced Bonded Construction is backed by a 10-year water ingress warranty, subject to terms and conditions. You can find out more on our warranty and guarantees pages.
Keep your service paperwork, damp reports and invoices safe yourself, rather than relying on the workshop to hold on to them. Your owner handbook sets out the servicing conditions for your caravan.
When to Book Your Service
Booking towards the end of the touring season often makes sense. Any faults found can be fixed while you’re using the caravan less, and problems such as water ingress, tyre wear or brake issues are caught before it goes into winter storage.
For warranty purposes, what matters is completing the service within Coachman’s required schedule, not the time of year. Workshops get busy in spring, so booking early gives you more choice of dates. It also means the caravan is ready to go as soon as the new season starts.
If your caravan is being laid up for winter, our caravan security guide covers keeping it safe while it’s parked. If you’re still touring, read our guide to winter caravan touring.
Choosing an Approved Workshop
Coachman dealers and NCC Approved Service Centres are the right places to have your caravan serviced.
The Approved Workshop Scheme is run jointly by the National Caravan Council, The Caravan and Motorhome Club and The Camping and Caravanning Club. It’s recognised as the industry benchmark for touring caravan servicing.
Before the appointment, clear personal items out of the lockers and make sure the workshop can easily reach the gas locker and battery box.
Approved workshops are independently assessed, so you can be confident the work follows an established process and is suitable for servicing during your warranty period. Ask for a copy of the completed checklist and make sure the service is stamped in your service record. If you’ve bought a used Coachman, ask the seller for the full service history so you can check it has been serviced every year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a caravan habitation check take?
It varies depending on the caravan and the level of inspection booked. As a guide, the Approved Workshop Scheme advises that a full single-axle touring caravan service usually takes around four hours, with twin-axle caravans taking a little longer. Ask your workshop how long a habitation-only check will take when you book.
Is a caravan habitation check a legal requirement?
No. Unlike a car MOT, there’s no legal requirement for an annual habitation check. However, annual servicing is a condition of the Coachman warranty.
What happens if damp is found?
The workshop will record the affected area and readings, and advise whether further investigation or repairs are needed. If your caravan is still under warranty, contact your supplying dealer before authorising major repairs so the correct warranty process is followed.
Is a habitation check the same as a caravan service?
Not necessarily. A habitation check focuses on the living systems and bodywork. A full service also covers brakes, tyres, wheels, hubs and the chassis.
Keep your Coachman ready for the next trip by booking its annual service with your nearest Coachman dealer.
