Dealer service car wash damage
Discussion
Yesterday when I was working from home my local friendly main dealer dropped off my car on my drive and handed me my keys (I had earlier paid over the phone). I was dashing to a conference call so didn't really look round the car, but noticed a red dust inside the wheels which I thought was odd but ignored.
Today in the sun I see that "someone" has washed my car with what must be a dirty rag. My once pristine paint now has some deep scratches in some places and is completely covered in fine scratches with the tell tale hologramming. I am meticulous and know my car was hologram free when I left it with them.
What should I do? They have had my money and it's my word against theirs about the damage. I feel so upset and angry!
Today in the sun I see that "someone" has washed my car with what must be a dirty rag. My once pristine paint now has some deep scratches in some places and is completely covered in fine scratches with the tell tale hologramming. I am meticulous and know my car was hologram free when I left it with them.
What should I do? They have had my money and it's my word against theirs about the damage. I feel so upset and angry!
I was sorry to read your comments.
This is always my worst nightmare, and for years with two of my cars, I always take them to the dealers as clean as possible and then instruct NO WASHING. The comment is sometimes made that, "We couldn't make it any cleaner", but that doesn't matter.
I would be finding the name of the dealer principal, and then having a polite but firm 'chat'. Presumably the solution now will be a 'Paddy type clean', and the dealer needs to be doing the paying.
Perhaps if your same dealer has serviced your car a few times before, they should already be aware that you take great care of your car, and so not try to deny that their employee(s) caused the damage that you have described.
Good luck.
PS. Just wondered what the colour name of your car is.
Edited by Jon39 on Saturday 17th May 23:20
As you say, unfortunately it is your word against theirs and its a shame you did not inspect the car on delivery.
I always ask the service advisor to inspect the car when I drop it off so I have proof of any marks appearing when I collect it.
I would never let them collect and deliver the car anyway.
Not much you can do about it now apart from not use the collection and delivery service again or change dealers although I suspect they are all pretty much the same.
I always ask the service advisor to inspect the car when I drop it off so I have proof of any marks appearing when I collect it.
I would never let them collect and deliver the car anyway.
Not much you can do about it now apart from not use the collection and delivery service again or change dealers although I suspect they are all pretty much the same.
Sorry to see this has happened. Hopefully it can be machine polished out.
NEVER let the dealer wash your car. Think about their mindset: get the car washed as quickly as possible as there are many more waiting. Don't bother to rinse it off first - that mud and grit will come off just fine when you rub it off. Think about who is washing the car: some kid or car jockey who couldn't give a sh@t about your paint. Think about the tools used: dirty bucket and mitt from the last wash (fresh water in the bucket and a cursory rinse of both if you're lucky), oops - dropped the mitt on the garage floor, no-one's looking so it's OK, etc. etc. Think any of the aforementioned are different because it's an Aston dealer? Uh, no.
NEVER let the dealer wash your car. Think about their mindset: get the car washed as quickly as possible as there are many more waiting. Don't bother to rinse it off first - that mud and grit will come off just fine when you rub it off. Think about who is washing the car: some kid or car jockey who couldn't give a sh@t about your paint. Think about the tools used: dirty bucket and mitt from the last wash (fresh water in the bucket and a cursory rinse of both if you're lucky), oops - dropped the mitt on the garage floor, no-one's looking so it's OK, etc. etc. Think any of the aforementioned are different because it's an Aston dealer? Uh, no.
This is why I tell people never to let a dealer tough their car, especially after I've detailed it. I remember having to spend just shy of 4 days on a carbon dbs that one main dealer had butchered.
Doubt they will admit it and even if they did, they would offer to get "their guy" to polish it for you and it would end up looking worse.
Francis
Doubt they will admit it and even if they did, they would offer to get "their guy" to polish it for you and it would end up looking worse.
Francis
Works damaged my v12v's paint even though i specifically asked them not to wash it. Their guys are diabolical.
Had a word on many occasions with their service manager.
They still managed last time to spray water on the bonnet when warm. This left water marks that could not be removed without paint correction.
Had a word on many occasions with their service manager.
They still managed last time to spray water on the bonnet when warm. This left water marks that could not be removed without paint correction.
My car was dropped back from a main dealer service on Thursday - I was at work, so one of the kids accepted the keys.
When I got back later, I noticed:
o mirrors no longer powerfold - I only had them reset 2 months ago after I had disconnected the battery to check something
o big scuff on the front valance
o obvious scuff on the offside rear bumper, like something has pushed past it
o deep-looking scratch on the nearside of the rear bumper
o a couple of extra big chips on the front bumper/valance
o ridiculously poor attempt at cleaning the wheels
I'm not a polisher, as such, but the car had been resprayed not long before I bought it from the previous owner and was pretty much immaculate, except for a couple of stone chips on the front..
When I called the service chap the next day, he expressed surprise and said he would look into it.
He also said they take pics of each car before work.
I've asked to see the pics they took and have sent mine in, showing the damage. No response yet, so I will probably have to chase them..
I have some leverage, though, as I said I wanted to be able to check the car before paying.
When I got back later, I noticed:
o mirrors no longer powerfold - I only had them reset 2 months ago after I had disconnected the battery to check something
o big scuff on the front valance
o obvious scuff on the offside rear bumper, like something has pushed past it
o deep-looking scratch on the nearside of the rear bumper
o a couple of extra big chips on the front bumper/valance
o ridiculously poor attempt at cleaning the wheels
I'm not a polisher, as such, but the car had been resprayed not long before I bought it from the previous owner and was pretty much immaculate, except for a couple of stone chips on the front..
When I called the service chap the next day, he expressed surprise and said he would look into it.
He also said they take pics of each car before work.
I've asked to see the pics they took and have sent mine in, showing the damage. No response yet, so I will probably have to chase them..
I have some leverage, though, as I said I wanted to be able to check the car before paying.
A few days back I took my car to Autobrite to have a little bit of paint by the rear light sorted out and the bonnet and front wings polished to remove a mysterious overspray residue.
I had the car detailed about 18 months ago so I know it was all smooth and shiny and definitely no paint has been done by my hand since then. Not so long back, I noticed an odd triangular section on the n/s leading edge of the bonnet including a circular spot further back which looked as though someone had painted around a mug. Strangely this could only be seen when the car had a thin film of dust on it, when clean it vanished.
The car hasn't been to any other professional car repair/maintenance establishment apart from the main dealer whilst in my care.
St John at Autobrite worked his usual magic on the car and when I collected it he pointed out a small patch low down on the n/s/f bumper which has received a poor lacquer repair, something which I've never noticed. We surmised the triangular area was where the bonnet was masked and the ring must have been the masking tape left on the bonnet while the localised repair of the bumper took place.
No idea what type of Dodgem games the dealership must have been playing with my car, but a bit of honesty and openness wouldn't have gone amiss instead of just quietly (poorly) fixing a mistake. I used to have utmost faith in leaving my car there (and this main dealer does have a good rep) but now I feel cautious despite my shed probably being one of the cheapest things they spanner on.
I had the car detailed about 18 months ago so I know it was all smooth and shiny and definitely no paint has been done by my hand since then. Not so long back, I noticed an odd triangular section on the n/s leading edge of the bonnet including a circular spot further back which looked as though someone had painted around a mug. Strangely this could only be seen when the car had a thin film of dust on it, when clean it vanished.
The car hasn't been to any other professional car repair/maintenance establishment apart from the main dealer whilst in my care.
St John at Autobrite worked his usual magic on the car and when I collected it he pointed out a small patch low down on the n/s/f bumper which has received a poor lacquer repair, something which I've never noticed. We surmised the triangular area was where the bonnet was masked and the ring must have been the masking tape left on the bonnet while the localised repair of the bumper took place.
No idea what type of Dodgem games the dealership must have been playing with my car, but a bit of honesty and openness wouldn't have gone amiss instead of just quietly (poorly) fixing a mistake. I used to have utmost faith in leaving my car there (and this main dealer does have a good rep) but now I feel cautious despite my shed probably being one of the cheapest things they spanner on.
The hologram on my boot lid. It is on EVERY panel!
Goodness! This is horrible that it has happened to so many of us. It's not a case of thinking "well at least I'm not the only one" because we shouldn't have to suffer such bad service. At main dealer prices for service, I would expect everything to be cared for but many of us have had a terrible time.
This is not the only problem with the car, post service, but I shall say no more for now. I hope to report a positive outcome next week.
Question: I took the car up north for a wedding yesterday and am back today. The car is now covered in flies and has dirty wheels. Should I wash it before asking the garage to inspect it, or just leave it?
It seems better to just leave it!
Paddy - please expect a call soon :£
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