Nearly New Car Paint Condition

[Jaguar99]

Recently picked up a nearly new car (5 months old with 1800 miles)

All looked good when I viewed it and initially when I picked it up, however it’s now a couple of weeks later and have noticed lots of swirls, scratches in the clear coat and loads of sap spots on the car

I generally buy my cars at this age and mileage and while not always perfect I have never seen this many marks, etc on any of my previous cars. Other than the paint, the car is great in and the exact colour and spec I want

I have contacted the dealer and told them it is not good enough; my question is what would be reasonable for me to expect from the dealer? Ideally, I would like them to arrange at their expense for some correctional work to be done but don’t know what they will offer yet

[nickfrog]

Tricky if you didn't spot it before buying it. Worth asking but don't hold your breath, they could just say it happened since you bought it.
They may have used a glaze that masked the swirls.

[Trevor555]

Unless they advertised it using the words

"like new"

"perfect condition"

It's up to the buyer to satisfy them selves as to the cosmetic condition of a used car.

Edited by Trevor555 on Monday 29th May 17:18

[Rough101]

They leave the dealers full of filler based waxes, which have now washed away.. plenty new cars turn up in a similar condition.

[BlindedByTheLights]

You’d be better off getting a decent local detailer to have it for a few days to sort it and then ceramic coat it. It is your new pride and joy and that way you’ll then be happy and can enjoy it and know it’s protected too for a few years. Even if you do get somewhere with the dealer, they’ll likely spend as little as possible to sort it.

Edited by BlindedByTheLights on Monday 29th May 17:53

[sunnyb13]

quick polish with a high filler content and or a glaze. lol.

[Downward]

If you’re keeping for long term get someone in to do it properly with decent products.

[Belle427]

A detailer would probably be able to correct it for you to a very good standard if most of the defects are minor.
It will cost you though but can be worth it if you are particular about the finish.

[Jaguar99]

Thanks guys

Pretty much what I was thinking. As I said, I have asked them and expressed my disappointment to see what happens (or doesn’t happen)

I know about the dealer waxes wearing off but I’ve only had the car a week so that would be some pretty weak-ass wax to have worn off that quickly and my previous similar age/mileage cars were not this bad

I have a detailer lined up to sort it should the dealer end up being a dead end but if I don’t have to spend £300……

[BlindedByTheLights]

Jaguar99 said:

Thanks guys

Pretty much what I was thinking. As I said, I have asked them and expressed my disappointment to see what happens (or doesn’t happen)

I know about the dealer waxes wearing off but I’ve only had the car a week so that would be some pretty weak-ass wax to have worn off that quickly and my previous similar age/mileage cars were not this bad

I have a detailer lined up to sort it should the dealer end up being a dead end but if I don’t have to spend £300……

That’s a cheap detailer.

[Benz17]

£300 is very cheap. If it has minor swirl and scratches, then you may get away with a stage1 paint corrections, which a decent detailer would charge around £700, and depending on what product you use for protection, ceramic coating or polish.

[lord trumpton]

Way too cheap.

Any decent detailer thats experienced and in demand would be into charging 800 upwards for any work that involved paint correction

[Red9zero]

I wouldn't be surprised at a 0 on the end of that £300 if you want to go all in.

[nickfrog]

lord trumpton said:

Way too cheap.

Any decent detailer thats experienced and in demand would be into charging 800 upwards for any work that involved paint correction

It depends how much work is involved. Decon and 1-stage can easily be sourced for £400 and will yield a very good result on light swirling. Assuming it's not a massive SUV of course.

[Jaguar99]

nickfrog said:

lord trumpton said:

Way too cheap.

Any decent detailer thats experienced and in demand would be into charging 800 upwards for any work that involved paint correction

It depends how much work is involved. Decon and 1-stage can easily be sourced for £400 and will yield a very good result on light swirling. Assuming it's not a massive SUV of course.

Thanks guys

He quoted for decontamination, machine polish and wax and it’s a crossover/large hatchback size

The swirls are quite light and I guess the result of the on-site valeters throwing water and a dirty rag over it every week on the forecourt plus one small patch on the bonnet where it looks like something was scrubbed (bird poo I guess?). From a few feet away you can’t see anything but if the sun hits it right or you are under the lights somewhere like a petrol station you can see it

The detailer’s reviews are good and he has said all the right things so far

[duckson]

nickfrog said:

lord trumpton said:

Way too cheap.

Any decent detailer thats experienced and in demand would be into charging 800 upwards for any work that involved paint correction

It depends how much work is involved. Decon and 1-stage can easily be sourced for £400 and will yield a very good result on light swirling. Assuming it's not a massive SUV of course.

Exactly, just checking quotes of a well respected detailer near me and he is quoting anything from £400 to £700 for a single to two stage machine polish among a more in depth clean (price depends on car size and single or double machine polish).