Hypothetically speaking, of course......
Discussion
Imagine the scenario: you buy a used car under AM's 'Timeless' scheme. The common issue of condensation in the rear lights is noticeable when taking delivery of the car, so you agree to bring it back to have the rear light clusters changed.
The AM dealership then informs you they have swapped the light clusters with another, similar model, which has come to them PX and is off to the auction house.
A couple of months later, you notice that one of the light clusters doesn't fit properly. In fact, it literally sticks out like a sore thumb. After kicking yourself for not noticing sooner, you realise the car is in for service soon so you'll address the issue (along with a couple of others) then.
What would you, as the customer, do? What would you expect the dealership to do now? Hypothetically speaking, of course
The AM dealership then informs you they have swapped the light clusters with another, similar model, which has come to them PX and is off to the auction house.
A couple of months later, you notice that one of the light clusters doesn't fit properly. In fact, it literally sticks out like a sore thumb. After kicking yourself for not noticing sooner, you realise the car is in for service soon so you'll address the issue (along with a couple of others) then.
What would you, as the customer, do? What would you expect the dealership to do now? Hypothetically speaking, of course
XLR Motorsport said:
Would I be out of order to ask them to put new light clusters in owing to the circumstances?
Yes it would be out of order. The studs allow adjustment. Although I realise the lights have been replaced, which is why you're asking - it's a bit like insisting they give you new seats because they left them in the wrong position after test driving the car.The car going to auction will have its sale price reduced for the defects so swapping them is an acceptable rectification process for the car sold.
If the replacements then subsequently condensated then the dealer should then rectify, but the dealer could have just drilled the holes in the old lamps and refitted them.
Unless the car was a very low mileage, top money car, I dont see why they should have installed new lamps. The fault has been recitfied as promised.
If the replacements then subsequently condensated then the dealer should then rectify, but the dealer could have just drilled the holes in the old lamps and refitted them.
Unless the car was a very low mileage, top money car, I dont see why they should have installed new lamps. The fault has been recitfied as promised.
rog007 said:
So they fitted used items to your car to rectify a fault?
I’d not have accepted that.
^^ this, a second hand car may well have been garaged all it's life, a few nights outside and condensation could well return.I’d not have accepted that.
However, they are now fitted and a doddle to get mounted correctly, during the service it'll take them 10-15 minutes tops.
Edited by dbs2000 on Tuesday 24th October 08:35
rog007 said:
So they fitted used items to your car to rectify a fault?
I’d not have accepted that.
This is what started eating away at me a bit. At the time, it was one issue and I was a fresh-faced, spotty-nosed new AM owner, so when told what the lights had been replaced with, I responded with 'OK'. But then came other issues - corroded wheels - whereby I had AM fighting my corner after the dealership told me I'd have to foot the bill if I wanted them refurbished (this was all prevalent on the car at time of purchase). When the wheels came back, they were substandard.I’d not have accepted that.
The car went in for service and other things were missed. The fact one light is misshapen (not necessarily maladjusted) was almost like the straw that broke the camel's back. The car is a garage queen and I don't have great attention to detail, so yes, I probably should have spotted it sooner but the fact of the matter is, I didn't! If they can rectify it but adjusting it, then fine. I'll live with that.
macdeb said:
I actually think it pretty despicable that they may change them from a car that's going to auction. What gives them the right to pass on their bad fortune to someone else? Bad practice and they should be named.
I don't feel in a position to name and shame yet. Besides, they still have my car in their possession 
I was so keen to build a good relationship with them initially but now I feel like they just want rid of me as I bought one of the cheapest used cars on their forecourt back in the summer.XLR Motorsport said:
... I feel like they just want rid of me, as I bought one of the cheapest used cars on their forecourt ...
Most of us here are now in the same position, with Aston Martin talking about Vulcan £1.8m, Valkyrie £3m, and customers who order complete sets of four Zagatos.
I am happy though, even without the AM magazine. The Vantage magazine has always been far better anyway.
dbs2000 said:
rog007 said:
So they fitted used items to your car to rectify a fault?
I’d not have accepted that.
^^ this, a second hand car may well have been garaged all it's life, a few nights outside and condensation could well return.I’d not have accepted that.
However, they are now fitted and a doddle to get mounted correctly, during the service it'll take them 10-15 minutes tops.
Edited by dbs2000 on Tuesday 24th October 08:35
If you had agreed on NEW lamps, then fine, but you didn't and they fixed the issue, even if the alignment is not 100%. That can be adjusted at service. It is unfortunate that you have had other issues, but that is to be expected on an Aston Martin, especially one at the lower end of the used car market.
If it was my car, I would have asked them to realign and been happy that the fault was rectified.
Would you expect a new tyre if the car had a puncture?
8Tech said:
They accepted the responsibility of rectifying the fault, they were not obliged to fit new lights, they were well within their rights to simply carry out the drill-and-vent mod to the original lamps but chose to improve on that by supplying some known good lamps.
I'm not sure AM would allow this on a car sold under their Timeless scheme.8Tech said:
Would you expect a new tyre if the car had a puncture?
Yes. Why, would you buy a car that had a puncture when you took delivery of it from a main dealer? If so you're every dodgy used car salesman's dream.XLR Motorsport said:
I'm not sure AM would allow this on a car sold under their Timeless scheme.
Before October 2016, the used cars sold by Aston Martin dealers, were referred to as Approved Pre-owned.
That title was perhaps open to a few humorous comments.
E.g.. You don't need to give your approval about that car being Pre-owned, I can see that for myself.
Public relations and marketing got to work, and came up with Timeless. I think the Pre-owned words were quietly dropped.
It all creates a warm and reassuring glow as we pull out our debit cards, but we are still buying a used car, full of used parts.
When your rear lights positioning has been corrected, try to forget all about it, and then enjoy owning and driving your car.
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