Issue with Approved Used car

[Rusty_]

Hi all,

We've just taken delivery of a 2025 Cupra Ateca 300. Lovely car that we've been enjoying.

I checked underneath the car tonight and noticed that the previous owner has fitted a towbar to it. This was never disclosed to me.

I'm now not sure what to do..

Is this reason enough to reject the car and request they take it back? Or am I going OTT?

Another issue could be with the warranty - the car still has 3.5 years of manufacturer warranty remaining, and I'm going to have to ask how this affects things.

So annoyed I didn't noticed this sooner!

[ninepoint2]

You sure it's not factory fit?

https://www.cupra.com/en/cars/ateca/versions-and-e...

My Audi has a factory fitted one that just clips in if required

[Jazoli]

Bit OTT in my opinion, towbars are very useful things.

[The Rotrex Kid]

Rusty_ said:

Is this reason enough to reject the car and request they take it back? Or am I going OTT?

No, I don’t think so, and yes, maybe.

Why would you want to reject it? Just leave it there and carry on driving.

[ABMA]

The car is only a year old, so it’s unlikely that towing would have caused any damage to the suspension or engine.

If it’s an aftermarket towbar and you have no intention of using it, I’d simply ask the dealer to remove it and enjoy the car.

[Rusty_]

ninepoint2 said:

You sure it's not factory fit?

https://www.cupra.com/en/cars/ateca/versions-and-e...

My Audi has a factory fitted one that just clips in if required

I don't think so - there is a sticker for a company that professionally installs towbars. If I hadn't seen the sticker, I definitely would have thought it was a OEM option. It's very well done, to be fair

[Rusty_]

Jazoli said:

Bit OTT in my opinion, towbars are very useful things.

Yes, I think I'm overeacting. I'll ask the retailer for a letter confirming my remaining warranty is unaffected and leave it there

[Rusty_]

The Rotrex Kid said:

No, I don t think so, and yes, maybe.

Why would you want to reject it? Just leave it there and carry on driving.

I've pondered it a bit now and am tempted to leave it. Although I will ask the retailer for confirmation this won't impact the warranty.

[Rusty_]

ABMA said:

The car is only a year old, so it s unlikely that towing would have caused any damage to the suspension or engine.

If it s an aftermarket towbar and you have no intention of using it, I d simply ask the dealer to remove it and enjoy the car.

Good point. Could do that. My main worry is the remaining warranty - just hoping that the messing around with wiring hadn't affected it.

[Rusty_]

Thanks for the replies, all.

[ninepoint2]

Rusty_ said:

ninepoint2 said:

You sure it's not factory fit?

https://www.cupra.com/en/cars/ateca/versions-and-e...

My Audi has a factory fitted one that just clips in if required

I don't think so - there is a sticker for a company that professionally installs towbars. If I hadn't seen the sticker, I definitely would have thought it was a OEM option. It's very well done, to be fair

Is it like this?

[Rusty_]

Thanks - There is no actual visible towbar but the connections are hidden away underneath

[ninepoint2]

Rusty_ said:

Thanks - There is no actual visible towbar but the connections are hidden away underneath

That does sound like a factory fit, the part you see sticking out in that pic just clips on to the bits fitted underneath as required, same as on my Audi. It is not manufactured by Audi/Seat but by a third party (which I can't remember the name) and mine like yours has a sticker with that name on it.

[chip*]

Can anyone confirm if you have to inform your insurance as a towbar is deemed a modification?

[Rusty_]

ninepoint2 said:

That does sound like a factory fit, the part you see sticking out in that pic just clips on to the bits fitted underneath as required, same as on my Audi. It is not manufactured by Audi/Seat but by a third party (which I can't remember the name) and mine like yours has a sticker with that name on it.

That's really helpful context, thanks! Could well be a factory/dealer fitted part in that case. Certainly looks it to my eyes.

[oakdale]

chip* said:

Can anyone confirm if you have to inform your insurance as a towbar is deemed a modification?

Yes you do, it's considered to be a modification to the vehicle.