Scratches on new PCP car
Discussion
Just got a new Audi Q3 on PCP. It seems Audi have decked out the interior with cheap plastics to cut costs. I have noticed some minor scratches not caused by me. Some very faint ones around the virtual cockpit, and a small but noticeable one on the drivers door handle. I can only assume when cleaning the vehicle ready for handover, someone has wiped the surfaces too enthusiastically with a cloth that must have had some grit or other abrasive substance on it.
It’s frustrating to have bought a brand new £35k vehicle which isn’t in perfect condition. If I take it back to complain, it will look extremely pathetic on my part to be concerned with something so minor. They would need to replace the door handle and virtual cockpit surround.
Is it worth complaining about? If I hand the car back in 4 years will I be fined for very minor and barely noticeable scratches to the cheap plastics they chose to deck out the interior with?
Is it best just to ignore them and enjoy the car?
It’s frustrating to have bought a brand new £35k vehicle which isn’t in perfect condition. If I take it back to complain, it will look extremely pathetic on my part to be concerned with something so minor. They would need to replace the door handle and virtual cockpit surround.
Is it worth complaining about? If I hand the car back in 4 years will I be fined for very minor and barely noticeable scratches to the cheap plastics they chose to deck out the interior with?
Is it best just to ignore them and enjoy the car?
I won’t venture an opinion on what you should do but...
I was being shown some cars at a Bimmer dealer recently to get an idea of what interior to spec on my car. The sales guy showed me a brand new M4 undergoing PDI and pointed out a 1cm linear scratch on the leather lined door card. If that was my car I might not have noticed it for weeks and it probably wouldn’t have bothered me anyway. The salesman said he’d already ordered a replacement for the scratched part and the owner would never know.
So it seems the level of service you’re expecting is not outlandish or unreasonable.
I was being shown some cars at a Bimmer dealer recently to get an idea of what interior to spec on my car. The sales guy showed me a brand new M4 undergoing PDI and pointed out a 1cm linear scratch on the leather lined door card. If that was my car I might not have noticed it for weeks and it probably wouldn’t have bothered me anyway. The salesman said he’d already ordered a replacement for the scratched part and the owner would never know.
So it seems the level of service you’re expecting is not outlandish or unreasonable.
DeWar said:
I won’t venture an opinion on what you should do but...
I was being shown some cars at a Bimmer dealer recently to get an idea of what interior to spec on my car. The sales guy showed me a brand new M4 undergoing PDI and pointed out a 1cm linear scratch on the leather lined door card. If that was my car I might not have noticed it for weeks and it probably wouldn’t have bothered me anyway. The salesman said he’d already ordered a replacement for the scratched part and the owner would never know.
So it seems the level of service you’re expecting is not outlandish or unreasonable.
Why did I get an image of a bloke smiling with a big glint off his teeth. I was being shown some cars at a Bimmer dealer recently to get an idea of what interior to spec on my car. The sales guy showed me a brand new M4 undergoing PDI and pointed out a 1cm linear scratch on the leather lined door card. If that was my car I might not have noticed it for weeks and it probably wouldn’t have bothered me anyway. The salesman said he’d already ordered a replacement for the scratched part and the owner would never know.
So it seems the level of service you’re expecting is not outlandish or unreasonable.
AudiMan9000 said:
It’s kinda put me off premium brands. I think in future I’ll prioritise function over form and get something better value for money than an Audi. Possibly stick with Fords or VW’s in future even if they’re less sumptuous.
Just because a valeter left a couple of scratches? 
SteBrown91 said:
AudiMan9000 said:
It’s kinda put me off premium brands. I think in future I’ll prioritise function over form and get something better value for money than an Audi. Possibly stick with Fords or VW’s in future even if they’re less sumptuous.
Just because a valeter left a couple of scratches? AudiMan9000 said:
It’s kinda put me off premium brands. I think in future I’ll prioritise function over form and get something better value for money than an Audi. Possibly stick with Fords or VW’s in future even if they’re less sumptuous.
Went from Audi to VW and its still the same sht service just less £££. Thing I like now though is I've got a VW that is a year past warranty on HP and I can do what I darn well like with it to service/repair it now.
Heard so many stories of cars like this being handed over, only answer is to go to extreme and demand its sorted.
Neighbour had his new X3 turn up after waiting 3 months to find the wrong wing mirror colours.....he sent it back in the end.
fourstardan said:
Went from Audi to VW and its still the same sht service just less £££.
Thing I like now though is I've got a VW that is a year past warranty on HP and I can do what I darn well like with it to service/repair it now.
Heard so many stories of cars like this being handed over, only answer is to go to extreme and demand its sorted.
Neighbour had his new X3 turn up after waiting 3 months to find the wrong wing mirror colours.....he sent it back in the end.
Mental.Thing I like now though is I've got a VW that is a year past warranty on HP and I can do what I darn well like with it to service/repair it now.
Heard so many stories of cars like this being handed over, only answer is to go to extreme and demand its sorted.
Neighbour had his new X3 turn up after waiting 3 months to find the wrong wing mirror colours.....he sent it back in the end.
head.TCX said:
So when you say 'bought',you mean renting ?
It’s more akin to mortgage than renting.And yes, it may seem OTT that I’m put off premium cars in the future, but what I mean by that is I have prioritised the looks of the car too much which can very easily be spoiled. Perhaps once it’s repaired I’ll feel better about it and will be happy to go premium again one day.
I'm guessing the op has had some very firm reassurances from his employer regarding his job security to be going out and getting a brand new Audi on Permanent Car Payment..., given that in recent weeks he's expressed concerns about losing his job, concerns about paying his mortgage and been enquiring into the possibility of taking out a bank loan whilst on furlough.
mike74 said:
I'm guessing the op has had some very firm reassurances from his employer regarding his job security to be going out and getting a brand new Audi on Permanent Car Payment..., given that in recent weeks he's expressed concerns about losing his job, concerns about paying his mortgage and been enquiring into the possibility of taking out a bank loan whilst on furlough.
I’m satisfied that my concerns were unfounded.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff