Couple of issues with new (to me) car
Discussion
Good morning. I'm hoping for a bit of advice before I press the send button and commit myself to a life of Hell and damnation.
I picked up my new car (actually a July 2013 model with 4,000 miles on it though certainly not cheap) on Tuesday lunchtime this week and have found a few minor problems. I've drafted the following email to the dealer (he's 50+ miles away, so I can't just pop round) and was hoping that someone could advise me if it comes across as being a fair assessment: -
Thanks.
I picked up my new car (actually a July 2013 model with 4,000 miles on it though certainly not cheap) on Tuesday lunchtime this week and have found a few minor problems. I've drafted the following email to the dealer (he's 50+ miles away, so I can't just pop round) and was hoping that someone could advise me if it comes across as being a fair assessment: -
My email said:
Good morning (Name of salesman),
Firstly, thank you for making the picking up of my new car a pleasant and pain free experience. I know that there was a lot of paperwork to do, but you covered it as quickly and efficiently as possible.
I have noticed a couple of issues with it though, which I'd like to bring to your attention.
The first, and to me the most important, was that the bonnet was not fully fastened down on the near side catch. This was obviously shown by a warning light on the dash and, though I wasn't familiar with the light, I managed to sort out by stopping and opening and re-shutting the bonnet. This had to be done twice as it seems to be out of adjustment.
Incidentally, I couldn't open the bonnet initially as the cover for the OBD port had been left open obscuring the release lever. A minor issue, but it threw me for a while as I thought it was a broken catch at first. I'm sure that you're aware that these are not the sort of things which should be allowed to happen on a handover.
The car was also covered in grease, in particular inside the rear doors and on the exterior mirror hinges. I'm glad that I spotted it early, as if someone would have caught a long dress on it then the dress would have been ruined. I've not started on the interior yet, so this is going to take some time to clean up.
My main concern is the nearside front wheel, which has damage to the rim. I didn't notice this at the handover, as it was possibly positioned at the bottom of the wheel, thereby obscuring my view, plus the fact I wasn't really looking for damage as I expected it to be perfect. The tyre also has a chunk out of it on the kerbing rim. You can tell by looking that the damage to the rim is not new, and the chunk out of the tyre has been tyre blacked over, so someone will have spotted it. There was also a small scratch on the top face of the wheel arch on the same side, though I have managed to polish this out. I've attached a couple of images so you can see for yourself.
Finally, did this car used to live on a farm at some stage? It's just that under the wheel arches and sills was absolutely filthy and covered with a straw based crud, which is not proving easy to remove. This I'm not bothered about too much, but it's taking ages to remove, and again. I would have assumed it would have been done before handover.
None of the above, apart from the bonnet catch, was noticed until I started my cleaning regime yesterday, spending several hours washing and polishing because, as you know, I like my cars to be smartly presented.
Any help or advice would be welcomed here, especially with the wheel and tyre issue, as I really don't like using it like this.
I've not attached the tyre pictures here as they're irrelevant, but could I reasonably expect them to sort this out, or do I just roll over and add a wheel refurbishment and new tyre to the already exorbitant cost? Some of the stuff mentioned above (grease/straw etc.) is there just to highlight the fact that their pre-sales inspection and preparation may not be as good as they perhaps thought.Firstly, thank you for making the picking up of my new car a pleasant and pain free experience. I know that there was a lot of paperwork to do, but you covered it as quickly and efficiently as possible.
I have noticed a couple of issues with it though, which I'd like to bring to your attention.
The first, and to me the most important, was that the bonnet was not fully fastened down on the near side catch. This was obviously shown by a warning light on the dash and, though I wasn't familiar with the light, I managed to sort out by stopping and opening and re-shutting the bonnet. This had to be done twice as it seems to be out of adjustment.
Incidentally, I couldn't open the bonnet initially as the cover for the OBD port had been left open obscuring the release lever. A minor issue, but it threw me for a while as I thought it was a broken catch at first. I'm sure that you're aware that these are not the sort of things which should be allowed to happen on a handover.
The car was also covered in grease, in particular inside the rear doors and on the exterior mirror hinges. I'm glad that I spotted it early, as if someone would have caught a long dress on it then the dress would have been ruined. I've not started on the interior yet, so this is going to take some time to clean up.
My main concern is the nearside front wheel, which has damage to the rim. I didn't notice this at the handover, as it was possibly positioned at the bottom of the wheel, thereby obscuring my view, plus the fact I wasn't really looking for damage as I expected it to be perfect. The tyre also has a chunk out of it on the kerbing rim. You can tell by looking that the damage to the rim is not new, and the chunk out of the tyre has been tyre blacked over, so someone will have spotted it. There was also a small scratch on the top face of the wheel arch on the same side, though I have managed to polish this out. I've attached a couple of images so you can see for yourself.
Finally, did this car used to live on a farm at some stage? It's just that under the wheel arches and sills was absolutely filthy and covered with a straw based crud, which is not proving easy to remove. This I'm not bothered about too much, but it's taking ages to remove, and again. I would have assumed it would have been done before handover.
None of the above, apart from the bonnet catch, was noticed until I started my cleaning regime yesterday, spending several hours washing and polishing because, as you know, I like my cars to be smartly presented.
Any help or advice would be welcomed here, especially with the wheel and tyre issue, as I really don't like using it like this.
Thanks.
I get your point but going into detail like you have makes the email a bit of a damp squib
Personally I would have put my email as follows
Dear ...
Insert first para as that is good
Then list issues
- bonnet doesn't seem to close properly
- car doesn't seemed to have been cleaned to a satisfactory level. It appears to be covered in grease inside and out and the wheel arches are full of compacted dirt and straw?
- one of the alloys and tyres appear to have been damaged which I missed on the handover
Can you please arrange a time for the car to be collected and corrected to the level i expect from a reputable dealer like yourselves
Regards
Personally I would have put my email as follows
Dear ...
Insert first para as that is good
Then list issues
- bonnet doesn't seem to close properly
- car doesn't seemed to have been cleaned to a satisfactory level. It appears to be covered in grease inside and out and the wheel arches are full of compacted dirt and straw?
- one of the alloys and tyres appear to have been damaged which I missed on the handover
Can you please arrange a time for the car to be collected and corrected to the level i expect from a reputable dealer like yourselves
Regards
SBN said:
I get your point but going into detail like you have makes the email a bit of a damp squib
Personally I would have put my email as follows
Dear ...
Insert first para as that is good
Then list issues
- bonnet doesn't seem to close properly
- car doesn't seemed to have been cleaned to a satisfactory level. It appears to be covered in grease inside and out and the wheel arches are full of compacted dirt and straw?
- one of the alloys and tyres appear to have been damaged which I missed on the handover
Can you please arrange a time for the car to be collected and corrected to the level i expect from a reputable dealer like yourselves
Regards
This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ short, to the point and business like.Personally I would have put my email as follows
Dear ...
Insert first para as that is good
Then list issues
- bonnet doesn't seem to close properly
- car doesn't seemed to have been cleaned to a satisfactory level. It appears to be covered in grease inside and out and the wheel arches are full of compacted dirt and straw?
- one of the alloys and tyres appear to have been damaged which I missed on the handover
Can you please arrange a time for the car to be collected and corrected to the level i expect from a reputable dealer like yourselves
Regards
Yeah, think mentioning the dress is a bit superfluous.
I think the tone of your E-mail otherwise is right, you're not going to get someones back up with that I don't think.
I think the issue with the bonnet catch is important by the way. It's a little unlikely, however there is always the potential that the bonnet could have come open on the way home for example.
I think the tone of your E-mail otherwise is right, you're not going to get someones back up with that I don't think.
I think the issue with the bonnet catch is important by the way. It's a little unlikely, however there is always the potential that the bonnet could have come open on the way home for example.
Snowboy said:
Type of dealer?
Age of car?
Price paid?
On a 5 year old BMW from a main dealer for £20k I expect that all fixed.
On a 10 year old Ford for £3k from an Arches garage then you're probably not going to get much joy except perhaps them hitting the bonnet with a lump hammer.
The OP said the car was 6 months old.Age of car?
Price paid?
On a 5 year old BMW from a main dealer for £20k I expect that all fixed.
On a 10 year old Ford for £3k from an Arches garage then you're probably not going to get much joy except perhaps them hitting the bonnet with a lump hammer.
Thanks for all the replies.
I've re written the email to simplify matters, and also attached a picture of the damage I'm bothered about: -
As to the point of it being a used car then yes, I appreciate that, but at nearly £70k I would prefer it right unfortunately.
ETA: Point taken about the dress.
I've re written the email to simplify matters, and also attached a picture of the damage I'm bothered about: -
new mail said:
Good morning Dealer,
Firstly, thank you for making the picking up of my new car a pleasant and pain free experience. I know that there was a lot of paperwork to do, but you covered it as quickly and efficiently as possible.
I have noticed a couple of issues with it though, which I'd like to bring to your attention.
The bonnet doesn't always close properly and seems to miss the nearside catch. The warning light was actually on when I set off so I had to stop and re-shut it, after closing the catch for the OBD port which had been left open.
The car doesn't seem to have been cleaned to a satisfactory level, in that there is a lot of black grease inside the doors, and the wheel arches are full of compacted dirt and straw.
The N/S/F alloy and tyre appear to have been damaged which, unfortunately, I missed on the handover.
Would you let me know if there's anything which you, as a reputable dealer, would be prepared to help me with on these matters, mainly the tyre issue? The cleaning thing is something which I'm prepared do myself.
I've left the bit about the OBD port as when the cover is open it obscures the bonnet release, and the cleaning bit is more as a matter of fact, mainly to let them know that it's been missed. I prefer to clean my own cars anyway so this is not really a problem to me.Firstly, thank you for making the picking up of my new car a pleasant and pain free experience. I know that there was a lot of paperwork to do, but you covered it as quickly and efficiently as possible.
I have noticed a couple of issues with it though, which I'd like to bring to your attention.
The bonnet doesn't always close properly and seems to miss the nearside catch. The warning light was actually on when I set off so I had to stop and re-shut it, after closing the catch for the OBD port which had been left open.
The car doesn't seem to have been cleaned to a satisfactory level, in that there is a lot of black grease inside the doors, and the wheel arches are full of compacted dirt and straw.
The N/S/F alloy and tyre appear to have been damaged which, unfortunately, I missed on the handover.
Would you let me know if there's anything which you, as a reputable dealer, would be prepared to help me with on these matters, mainly the tyre issue? The cleaning thing is something which I'm prepared do myself.
As to the point of it being a used car then yes, I appreciate that, but at nearly £70k I would prefer it right unfortunately.
ETA: Point taken about the dress.
Snowboy said:
Type of dealer?
Main MB DealershipSnowboy said:
Age of car?
6 months (July 2013)Snowboy said:
Price paid?
£ A lot.Snowboy said:
On a 5 year old BMW from a main dealer for £20k I expect that all fixed.
On a 10 year old Ford for £3k from an Arches garage then you're probably not going to get much joy except perhaps them hitting the bonnet with a lump hammer.
It's a 2013 E63 AMG with 4,000 miles from new. On a 10 year old Ford for £3k from an Arches garage then you're probably not going to get much joy except perhaps them hitting the bonnet with a lump hammer.
I would also expect it fixed to be honest.
Agree with the above, the chunk out of the tyre wouldn't be an issue, it is pretty badly kerbed though - how did you not pick this up when you looked at the car and when it was handed over?
The bonnets are a pain to close as they have 3 catches, you need to give it a good slam - I very much doubt it's out of alignment. I don't actually think there's a great deal of adjustment due to the pedestrian impact hinges.
I'd ask them to fix the wheel and give it a good clean for you - in return you'll give them a 10 on their customer satisfaction survey.
The bonnets are a pain to close as they have 3 catches, you need to give it a good slam - I very much doubt it's out of alignment. I don't actually think there's a great deal of adjustment due to the pedestrian impact hinges.
I'd ask them to fix the wheel and give it a good clean for you - in return you'll give them a 10 on their customer satisfaction survey.
daveenty said:
Snowboy said:
Type of dealer?
Main MB DealershipSnowboy said:
Age of car?
6 months (July 2013)Snowboy said:
Price paid?
£ A lot.Snowboy said:
On a 5 year old BMW from a main dealer for £20k I expect that all fixed.
On a 10 year old Ford for £3k from an Arches garage then you're probably not going to get much joy except perhaps them hitting the bonnet with a lump hammer.
It's a 2013 E63 AMG with 4,000 miles from new. On a 10 year old Ford for £3k from an Arches garage then you're probably not going to get much joy except perhaps them hitting the bonnet with a lump hammer.
I would also expect it fixed to be honest.
It's too early.
I would expect the dealer to take it back, fix everything, then a manager to do a second handover.
A 6 month old car from a main dealer should be effectively 'as new'.
Pretty sure that 'notch' in the tyre is for getting the tyre lever/tyre fitting machine on to. Looks like it's manufactured there rather than due to damage.
Makes you wonder why the bonnet doesn't line up, and the OBD port was hanging loose on that age of a car? Bonnet damaged due to getting hit, or OBD port open to wind back the miles?
Dirt under the arches and damaged wheel? Hmm...test drive by the mechanic into a ditch before you picked the car up?
Makes you wonder why the bonnet doesn't line up, and the OBD port was hanging loose on that age of a car? Bonnet damaged due to getting hit, or OBD port open to wind back the miles?
Dirt under the arches and damaged wheel? Hmm...test drive by the mechanic into a ditch before you picked the car up?
OnistOssifer said:
Makes you wonder why the bonnet doesn't line up, and the OBD port was hanging loose on that age of a car? Bonnet damaged due to getting hit, or OBD port open to wind back the miles?
Dirt under the arches and damaged wheel? Hmm...test drive by the mechanic into a ditch before you picked the car up?
Behave Dirt under the arches and damaged wheel? Hmm...test drive by the mechanic into a ditch before you picked the car up?
matc said:
Agree with the above, the chunk out of the tyre wouldn't be an issue, it is pretty badly kerbed though - how did you not pick this up when you looked at the car and when it was handed over?
Pretty easy really, I'd already looked at the car prior to buying a week or so ago, never noticed it then either so it was possibly at the bottom of the wheel, or I was possibly using the "rose tinteds"matc said:
The bonnets are a pain to close as they have 3 catches, you need to give it a good slam - I very much doubt it's out of alignment. I don't actually think there's a great deal of adjustment due to the pedestrian impact hinges.
I appreciate this as I've had MB before, though I would have expected it to be fully shut on handover.
matc said:
I'd ask them to fix the wheel and give it a good clean for you - in return you'll give them a 10 on their customer satisfaction survey.
I'm not bothered about the cleaning, spent hours on it yesterday, basically full treatment from foam/wash/clay/pre-wax & wax. The satisfaction survey is a bit of ammo though... OnistOssifer said:
Pretty sure that 'notch' in the tyre is for getting the tyre lever/tyre fitting machine on to. Looks like it's manufactured there rather than due to damage.
You'd expect it to be on all of them tin that case. It's a definite cut.OnistOssifer said:
Makes you wonder why the bonnet doesn't line up, and the OBD port was hanging loose on that age of a car? Bonnet damaged due to getting hit, or OBD port open to wind back the miles?
Bonnet is lined up perfectly, just wasn't shut, and the car had been inspected before delivery so they probably just left the port open in error.OnistOssifer said:
Dirt under the arches and damaged wheel? Hmm...test drive by the mechanic into a ditch before you picked the car up?
Somehow I doubt this, the dirt has been there for quite some time and is like matted straw.anonymous said:
[redacted]
According to the sales person it was owned by the MD of the group, who apparently acquires a new car from various dealerships every few months and just runs them a bit for himself. They don't just do MB as they have several other franchises including Bentley, BMW, Jaguar and Porsche.The previous owner in the V5 is the dealer who I bought it from, and not MB, so hopefully this matters.
Fast Bug said:
OnistOssifer said:
Makes you wonder why the bonnet doesn't line up, and the OBD port was hanging loose on that age of a car? Bonnet damaged due to getting hit, or OBD port open to wind back the miles?
Dirt under the arches and damaged wheel? Hmm...test drive by the mechanic into a ditch before you picked the car up?
Behave Dirt under the arches and damaged wheel? Hmm...test drive by the mechanic into a ditch before you picked the car up?
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