Dashboard issue and dealer warranty
Discussion
My wife purchased a 2019 VW Golf GTI from a non franchised dealer two months ago. We have noticed an issue where the clear plastic panel on the main instrument cluster is showing signs of delamination - see photo.
I have emailed the dealer with the photo asking for the dash panel to be rectified as it reduces the clarity of the display.
Their response is that as the dashboard hasn't mechanically failed it's not covered under warranty, despite me noting that it should be covered under their responsibilities for 3 months after purchase.
Who's right?
I have emailed the dealer with the photo asking for the dash panel to be rectified as it reduces the clarity of the display.
Their response is that as the dashboard hasn't mechanically failed it's not covered under warranty, despite me noting that it should be covered under their responsibilities for 3 months after purchase.
Who's right?
andygo said:
My wife purchased a 2019 VW Golf GTI from a non franchised dealer two months ago. We have noticed an issue where the clear plastic panel on the main instrument cluster is showing signs of delamination - see photo.
I have emailed the dealer with the photo asking for the dash panel to be rectified as it reduces the clarity of the display.
Their response is that as the dashboard hasn't mechanically failed it's not covered under warranty, despite me noting that it should be covered under their responsibilities for 3 months after purchase.
Who's right?
Its coming on 5 years old soon and its non damage, but cosmetic. There are lots of things that will show signs of age, like the little white markings on the steering wheel buttons, the plastics in bumper areas, the seats can start to lose their shape a little. TBH, I think it falls into this category, rather than a part failure. Those marks on the dash display (I can only presume) would surely have been present when you bought the car? I have emailed the dealer with the photo asking for the dash panel to be rectified as it reduces the clarity of the display.
Their response is that as the dashboard hasn't mechanically failed it's not covered under warranty, despite me noting that it should be covered under their responsibilities for 3 months after purchase.
Who's right?
A photo of the screen on and off would be useful though, to give better context. If its impacting your ability to read the display, then maybe there is a case to be answered. If not, I wouldn't be super confident you could get a result from them.
It looks like, for example, a phone screen protection film that hasnt been applied correctly and as a result has air bubbles trapped.
I'm of the opinion that it's not cosmetic and does interfere with the clarity of the display. It's not a component that gets touched very often so subject to little wear and tear. I have never seen such an issue before - I have driven several golf of a similar age, having owned a similar age Golf R previously as well as my son owning a GTI and a 2019 Cupra with similar display.
Yes, I agree, the marks were likley on the dash before purchase, but I have only noticed them a few weeks ago, rarely driving this car as it's my wife's vehicle. It's not a huge problem, but it's not going to get any better!
I'm of the opinion that it's not cosmetic and does interfere with the clarity of the display. It's not a component that gets touched very often so subject to little wear and tear. I have never seen such an issue before - I have driven several golf of a similar age, having owned a similar age Golf R previously as well as my son owning a GTI and a 2019 Cupra with similar display.
Yes, I agree, the marks were likley on the dash before purchase, but I have only noticed them a few weeks ago, rarely driving this car as it's my wife's vehicle. It's not a huge problem, but it's not going to get any better!
I would hazard a guess that this will happen with many modern instruments as they age as it can be caused by heat from the sun.
If "they all do that", it is likely to be treated as a normal degradation.
I would tend to concur that a failure would be the requirement for replacement and this would be "reasonable wear and tear" on a 5 year old car but I'm no expert.
If "they all do that", it is likely to be treated as a normal degradation.
I would tend to concur that a failure would be the requirement for replacement and this would be "reasonable wear and tear" on a 5 year old car but I'm no expert.
This is still ongoing with the dealership, who, whilst admitting the display is faulty, its not a mechanical failure and their third party warranty company will therefore not allow its rectification.
My point is that my contract is with the dealership who are responsible under Consumer Protection laws and not the warranty company which is merely an addition to my right of repair.
I hate invoking "my rights", but the attitude of the garage is pretty poor, for example telling me to take it to VW and ask if they would be prepared to fix it under a 'goodwill claim'. I thought the garage themselves might be first to offer a 'goodwill' solution!
My point is that my contract is with the dealership who are responsible under Consumer Protection laws and not the warranty company which is merely an addition to my right of repair.
I hate invoking "my rights", but the attitude of the garage is pretty poor, for example telling me to take it to VW and ask if they would be prepared to fix it under a 'goodwill claim'. I thought the garage themselves might be first to offer a 'goodwill' solution!
You won't get too much support on here without pics. All you've shown is a pic of a screen that's perfectly functional, albeit, with signs of age.
You mentioned it's making it hard to read the display. What is shown up in that corner that you can't see correctly and have you a pic?
I'm not being rude, just purposely blunt as this is the attitude you'll get from retailers. If you're hankering after a replacement screen for cosmetic reasons on a used car, you aren't getting far IMV. You need to show how it's impacting your use of the car. Then you're into a different conversation of course.
You mentioned it's making it hard to read the display. What is shown up in that corner that you can't see correctly and have you a pic?
I'm not being rude, just purposely blunt as this is the attitude you'll get from retailers. If you're hankering after a replacement screen for cosmetic reasons on a used car, you aren't getting far IMV. You need to show how it's impacting your use of the car. Then you're into a different conversation of course.
Unfortunately a used car is a used car.
A "used car warranty" is unlikely to be interpreted as "we'll put your car in the same condition it was when brand new".
I'm a bit of a misery on this subject because I feel buying used cars from traders is the worst way of buying a car. Either pay full whack for Approved Used (even that doesn't guarantee perfection) or buy privately and avoid the trader's profit margin.
A "used car warranty" is unlikely to be interpreted as "we'll put your car in the same condition it was when brand new".
I'm a bit of a misery on this subject because I feel buying used cars from traders is the worst way of buying a car. Either pay full whack for Approved Used (even that doesn't guarantee perfection) or buy privately and avoid the trader's profit margin.
andygo said:
This is still ongoing with the dealership, who, whilst admitting the display is faulty, its not a mechanical failure and their third party warranty company will therefore not allow its rectification.
My point is that my contract is with the dealership who are responsible under Consumer Protection laws and not the warranty company which is merely an addition to my right of repair.
I hate invoking "my rights", but the attitude of the garage is pretty poor, for example telling me to take it to VW and ask if they would be prepared to fix it under a 'goodwill claim'. I thought the garage themselves might be first to offer a 'goodwill' solution!
We believe we are very fair with clients and often help them with non warranty claims but in this case we would probably give you a similar response. My point is that my contract is with the dealership who are responsible under Consumer Protection laws and not the warranty company which is merely an addition to my right of repair.
I hate invoking "my rights", but the attitude of the garage is pretty poor, for example telling me to take it to VW and ask if they would be prepared to fix it under a 'goodwill claim'. I thought the garage themselves might be first to offer a 'goodwill' solution!
Simile answer, if you want a new car with the comfort of a VW new car warranty buy a new VW.
That does look like a spray mark.
VW advise this - Careful! It’s important to never clean the instrument panel or the surfaces of the airbag modules with cockpit sprays or cleaners that contain solvents. Cleaning agents that contain solvents could cause the surfaces to become porous and cause damage.
VW advise this - Careful! It’s important to never clean the instrument panel or the surfaces of the airbag modules with cockpit sprays or cleaners that contain solvents. Cleaning agents that contain solvents could cause the surfaces to become porous and cause damage.
LuS1fer said:
That does look like a spray mark.
VW advise this - Careful! It’s important to never clean the instrument panel or the surfaces of the airbag modules with cockpit sprays or cleaners that contain solvents. Cleaning agents that contain solvents could cause the surfaces to become porous and cause damage.
I get what yoi are suggesting. I have just been out to the car and run my figer accross the panel. The texture is exactly the same all accross the panel. If a spray solvent of some description had damaged the surface to such an extent, I think you would be able to feel the difference is the surface. VW advise this - Careful! It’s important to never clean the instrument panel or the surfaces of the airbag modules with cockpit sprays or cleaners that contain solvents. Cleaning agents that contain solvents could cause the surfaces to become porous and cause damage.
I am extremely careful on my Audi virtual cockpit for this reason and never let car washes at it. Have you tried LCD cleaner ? I use that with a new soft microfibre to gently clean.
I would agree someone has done that damage using the wrong products. No idea why they can’t put a cover over these things.
I would agree someone has done that damage using the wrong products. No idea why they can’t put a cover over these things.
LuS1fer said:
That does look like a spray mark.
I'd agree. These panels have a matt surface, and spraying stuff like trim dressing around leaves marks like that.It might be worth giving cleaners like the stuff for laptop\tv panels, or mild glass cleaner a try, something that can dissolve the silicone used in those.
(there's a coupld of minor blobs on my own that look the same, but the amount\position means you don't ever notice them, so I've left it be.)
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