Am I being too picky? Tear in car seat
Discussion
I've got another thread running at the moment about buying a car but this question is a bit different to that so thought it was worth starting a new thread. I went to go and look at one today and it all seemed ok except for 2 tears on the drivers seat. The car is 4 years old and the seat is part fabric and part vinyl/ faux leather. The tears are in the faux leather. They're not too bad, they look like a scratch about 2" long but I just feel when dropping 10K on a 4 year old car I'd expect the interior to be pretty close to new condition. The car itself is actually up at a good price so I don't think there's much room in negotiating on cost, so am I just being too picky?
Only you can answer that surely? Personally, if the rest of the car was spot on and was the exact spec I wanted, it might be something I'd overlook with the intention of getting it fixed (an automotive trimmer might be able to fix it for a small amount). But if it was a run of the mill car of which there were other similarly priced options available I'd keep looking and/or try and negotiate a discount/get them to fix the tears.
sociopath said:
If you don't like it try and get the seller to fix it, but expecting nearly new for 10k on a 4 year old car is optimistic in my view. 10k isn't a lot and 4 years isn't new
All of this.Probably a £150 repair with a retrimmer. Either ask them to do it or if it's the only thing stopping you buying it just get it done.
HustleRussell said:
Odd thread. You’re the person making and negotiating the purchase, how are we supposed to tell you what you are and are not happy with?
Just trying to get a feel for whether I should accept faults like this on a 4 year old car, or if it seems a bit excessive for the age of the vehicle....i.e torn seats in a 10 year old car fine, but a 4 year old car just keep looking round for a better example? I mean it had a few stone chips and small scratches externally which I'd completely accept and expect on a 4 year old car with 40k on the clock. But internally I was expecting everything to perhaps look a little used but not damaged. This is why I'm asking, are my expectations too high to expect no damage to the interior or about right?
av185 said:
Thing is a repaired drivers seat especially to faux leather not cloth will likely fail again especially if you get the dealer to do it as a condition of sale as likely to be a cheap quick job.
I'd walk and find another as its clearly bothering you.
The failing material is called Bonded Leather. Once it fails it will continue to come apart further, it can't be repaired, you'll need a trimmer to put a new piece in. This should be <£150. I'd walk and find another as its clearly bothering you.
Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
The failing material is called Bonded Leather. Once it fails it will continue to come apart further, it can't be repaired, you'll need a trimmer to put a new piece in. This should be <£150.
You're absolutely spot on, this is exactly how one of the local places I spoke to said they would repair the seat. Stitch in new material at around £160.Personally, no I do not think you are being too picky. Often a car is the second most expensive purchase with a home being the first. I do not consider two tears of two inches or so on 4 year old car to be "reasonable wear and tear." Having said that, these things can be repaired and the dealership/seller should foot the bill for that. To me it is no different to if you were buying a 2 year old car for double that price. Good luck with it. Hope they sort it and if not there will always be another car out there.
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