Audi Approved Used Paint Issue Help!!
Discussion
I purchased an approved used Audi A3 Sportback yesterday from a dealership in the UK. Once I drove it home I noticed some lacquer peeling around the chrome trim on the drivers side window.
I didn’t think much of it but after a googling it was quite obvious this only happens when a cars been repainted. I read that checking the edges of the panel for roughness would confirm that it had been repainted.
I went back out to the car and discovered that both doors on the drivers side and the wheel arch panel have all been repainted. Both doors have some peeling around the window trim and there are also a few patches where the paint is more textured than normal, for example the door handles compared to the other side.
I told the dealership I bought it from and they claimed no knowledge of it ever having bodywork done but apologised and said they would look at it next week and try get it fixed.
Im not sure how to feel about the car now I know it’s had such extensive body work done. Would you accept the dealership “fixing it” or would you want to exchange for a different car? Will the fact it’s had a full side repainted damage it’s resale value?
I deliberately went with Approved Used to avoid this kind of thing happening so I’m feeling a bit gutted about it. Not only are they selling cars with extensive bodywork done but they don’t even know about it!
I didn’t think much of it but after a googling it was quite obvious this only happens when a cars been repainted. I read that checking the edges of the panel for roughness would confirm that it had been repainted.
I went back out to the car and discovered that both doors on the drivers side and the wheel arch panel have all been repainted. Both doors have some peeling around the window trim and there are also a few patches where the paint is more textured than normal, for example the door handles compared to the other side.
I told the dealership I bought it from and they claimed no knowledge of it ever having bodywork done but apologised and said they would look at it next week and try get it fixed.
Im not sure how to feel about the car now I know it’s had such extensive body work done. Would you accept the dealership “fixing it” or would you want to exchange for a different car? Will the fact it’s had a full side repainted damage it’s resale value?
I deliberately went with Approved Used to avoid this kind of thing happening so I’m feeling a bit gutted about it. Not only are they selling cars with extensive bodywork done but they don’t even know about it!
It might not have been completely stuffed. My Audi had that much respraying done for a long car park scuff down the lower door. A decent bodyshop sprayer will respray the panels surrounding the damaged one to blend the paint in. Obviously the paint shouldn't be rough and peel though.
I would ask for money back or exchange. You’ll forever wish it wasn’t repainted. Every time you wash it, wax it you’ll be reminded that one side doesn’t feel or look like the other.
Not to mention what will happen with those surfaces in a few years time under your ownership or trying to explain it when you resale it. Plus we don’t know if it was a gentle accident and just paint or if anything had happened to the structure of the door safety.
The fact you bought it from an Audi dealer would suggest to me it’s a fairly new car. I know they don’t like some older cars in their stock as a rule. So if it’s like this now it could be much worse in a years time
There must be some more A3s about that don’t have this.
Not to mention what will happen with those surfaces in a few years time under your ownership or trying to explain it when you resale it. Plus we don’t know if it was a gentle accident and just paint or if anything had happened to the structure of the door safety.
The fact you bought it from an Audi dealer would suggest to me it’s a fairly new car. I know they don’t like some older cars in their stock as a rule. So if it’s like this now it could be much worse in a years time
There must be some more A3s about that don’t have this.
A used approved car is in no way guaranteed to not have had some paint repairs.
So unless you asked them if it'd had repairs, and they said no, then they don't really have to refund you.
Let them have a look at it, hopefully they'll put it right for you.
In the mean time take it to a local bodyshop to you and ask them to have a look to see how deep the damage has gone. They'll be able to tell you if it's just been painted, or if it's had a lot more that would be of concern. They'd probably charge you as they'll want to stick it up on a ramp etc, but prob only 50 to 100 pounds.
But for 100 pounds or so it might give you some peace of mind.
So unless you asked them if it'd had repairs, and they said no, then they don't really have to refund you.
Let them have a look at it, hopefully they'll put it right for you.
In the mean time take it to a local bodyshop to you and ask them to have a look to see how deep the damage has gone. They'll be able to tell you if it's just been painted, or if it's had a lot more that would be of concern. They'd probably charge you as they'll want to stick it up on a ramp etc, but prob only 50 to 100 pounds.
But for 100 pounds or so it might give you some peace of mind.
Thanks for the replies everyone.
I do agree that it won't ever feel quite right.
I am reluctant to send it back as I am meant to be moving city (7 hours away) next week and need the car for the move.
There are other A3s around but none in my budget for what I'm after.
Very very frustrating, I really thought I would hassle like this with approved used.
I do agree that it won't ever feel quite right.
I am reluctant to send it back as I am meant to be moving city (7 hours away) next week and need the car for the move.
There are other A3s around but none in my budget for what I'm after.
Very very frustrating, I really thought I would hassle like this with approved used.
I've just re read your original post.
You say the paint is peeling.
It could be argued that it's got a paintwork fault, so if you really want to reject it that would be your angle. A paintwork FAULT....
If you do get a bodyshop to inspect it get them to do a report that says the paintwork is peeling/faulty, and not what they'd expect on a ?? age car.
That may work.
You say the paint is peeling.
It could be argued that it's got a paintwork fault, so if you really want to reject it that would be your angle. A paintwork FAULT....
If you do get a bodyshop to inspect it get them to do a report that says the paintwork is peeling/faulty, and not what they'd expect on a ?? age car.
That may work.
massmaster said:
If they offer to repaint all 3 panels would you find that satisfactory enough to keep the car?
I'd want to know if it's had more extensive damage than just painted panels.If it's had door skins done then I wouldn't want it as they often cause the bottoms of the doors to corrode after a few years.
Open the door and look inside at the sealer at the edge of the panel (inside the door shut) where the outer skin meets the door frame.
Compare it with the other side of the car, does it look the same?
I wouldn't immediately jump to rejecting the car as long as the paintwork is put 100% right. A lot of cars have had paintwork done, even brand new cars before they get their PDI have paintwork rectified or transporter damage repaired.
If it was me as long as their is no evidence of major accident damage and that it gets sorted to your satisfaction I'd keep the car if it ticks all of your other boxes.
If it was me as long as their is no evidence of major accident damage and that it gets sorted to your satisfaction I'd keep the car if it ticks all of your other boxes.
is the paint warranty invalid?
"Exacting Checks"!
https://www.audi.co.uk/approved-used-audi/why-buy-...
"Exacting Checks"!
https://www.audi.co.uk/approved-used-audi/why-buy-...
That looks horrible.
It looks like there's no lacquer behind the mirror, is it dull behind the mirror like it looks in the photo?
It wont have had door skins looking at your pic.
But to do that properly I'd want all the trims along the bottom of the windows removing so they can paint right up behind them, along with the door handles, and side mirror.
If they remove the trims and paint it properly I'd probably be happy with it.
But as Loski says, you cant trust them to give you advice on it.
I can assure you, the valeter who prepared that car WOULD have noticed it, and said something to the sales staff.
I'd be pretty annoyed.
It looks like there's no lacquer behind the mirror, is it dull behind the mirror like it looks in the photo?
It wont have had door skins looking at your pic.
But to do that properly I'd want all the trims along the bottom of the windows removing so they can paint right up behind them, along with the door handles, and side mirror.
If they remove the trims and paint it properly I'd probably be happy with it.
But as Loski says, you cant trust them to give you advice on it.
I can assure you, the valeter who prepared that car WOULD have noticed it, and said something to the sales staff.
I'd be pretty annoyed.
Edited by Trevor555 on Saturday 12th September 20:29
Trevor555 said:
That looks horrible.
It looks like there's no lacquer behind the mirror, is it dull behind the mirror like it looks in the photo?
It wont have had door skins looking at your pic.
But to do that properly I'd want all the trims along the bottom of the windows removing so they can paint right up behind them, along with the door handles, and side mirror.
If they remove the trims and paint it properly I'd probably be happy with it.
But as Loski says, you cant trust them to give you advice on it.
I can assure you, the valeter who prepared that car WOULD have noticed it, and said something to the sales staff.
I'd be pretty annoyed.
Yes I am feeling very very frustrated, they were over a week late getting it ready too and now my house move is looming over me without a car.It looks like there's no lacquer behind the mirror, is it dull behind the mirror like it looks in the photo?
It wont have had door skins looking at your pic.
But to do that properly I'd want all the trims along the bottom of the windows removing so they can paint right up behind them, along with the door handles, and side mirror.
If they remove the trims and paint it properly I'd probably be happy with it.
But as Loski says, you cant trust them to give you advice on it.
I can assure you, the valeter who prepared that car WOULD have noticed it, and said something to the sales staff.
I'd be pretty annoyed.
Edited by Trevor555 on Saturday 12th September 20:29
How can you tell it hasn't had the door skins done?
massmaster said:
Yes I am feeling very very frustrated, they were over a week late getting it ready too and now my house move is looming over me without a car.
How can you tell it hasn't had the door skins done?
New door skins are the whole outer skin that goes up behind the silver window trim.How can you tell it hasn't had the door skins done?
They don't come colour painted so bodyshop would have had to paint right up behind that trim to colour a new door skin.
Your car has peeled because it hasn't been lacquered up behind the trim.
I'm sure they'll put this right for you.
But tell them you want all the trims removing, please paint this car properly.
That's of course if it hasn't been damaged twice.
For your peace of mind I'd pay and get it inspected by a local bodyshop.
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