New Car Failed Pre Delivery
Discussion
I paid in full for a new car in advance of handover, the dealer has registered it in my name, then it failed the Pre Delivery Inspection. I have not (yet) been able to get details of the failure, but it is significant enough that the dealer has had to raise a technical query with the manufacturer on how to proceed. Clearly I expected a factory built car, not one repaired by the dealer before delivery! What level of dealer repair is acceptable? What are my rights? Am I over-reacting?
rick.e said:
I paid in full for a new car in advance of handover, the dealer has registered it in my name, then it failed the Pre Delivery Inspection. I have not (yet) been able to get details of the failure, but it is significant enough that the dealer has had to raise a technical query with the manufacturer on how to proceed. Clearly I expected a factory built car, not one repaired by the dealer before delivery! What level of dealer repair is acceptable? What are my rights? Am I over-reacting?
What car is it ? More than likely a software issue, i wouldn't be overly concerned although I would be annoyed.Cars are complicated and I am sure the odd one comes off the production line with a fault or badly fitted component. Electronics can fail at any time and may have passed all the quality checks, but have a component fail in a very short time.
So as long as it is fixed what is the issue? Yes the delivery may be delayed and you would probably expect some good will gesture to compensate, but there is no reason to reject.
So as long as it is fixed what is the issue? Yes the delivery may be delayed and you would probably expect some good will gesture to compensate, but there is no reason to reject.
rick.e said:
... Clearly I expected a factory built car...
It was the factory that built it with a fault! 
You should be happy the dealer picked up on it before you got it and it failed.Every fault on every car is due to the factory not building it right in the first place (or more often than not cost cutting leading to cheaper parts being fitted)
Wills2 said:
More likely someone has put a dent in it at the dealership and they are buying time to try and fix it, if it were me I'd be going to the dealer to see my car pronto.
Cant speak for the OP. But this really doesnt happen very often. 1 in 1000 pdis I would guess. tallpaul26 said:
FIL s Audi had to have a new bumper pre collection as it got bashed somewhere in transit to the dealership. If they can fix it without delaying collection I bet you d never even be told!
This is more usually the source of any damage. Its why manufacturers put "transport/delivery modes" on cars. To stop the dock workers ragging them around! And lots of cars are absolutely covered in plastic protection nowadays. On a related note, was talking to someone years ago who worked at Audi. The R8 at the time came in a sort of romper suit to prevent birds s
tting on the paint etc. One of the stipulations (that the workshop was unaware of since sales didn't tell them!) was that you had 48hrs or so to check the car for damage after delivery by the transport firm. For whatever reason they didn't actually check the car in that time frame and when they did, there was a small 5mm dent in the rear 3/4 up by the engine glass over.
Delivery company were obviously to blame, but the dealer had to shoulder to cost. They told the customer, who inevitably rejected the car and they had to get a new one for them. Problem was that the car was a matte paint job so it was incredibly expensive to repair.
BunkMoreland said:
Wills2 said:
More likely someone has put a dent in it at the dealership and they are buying time to try and fix it, if it were me I'd be going to the dealer to see my car pronto.
Cant speak for the OP. But this really doesnt happen very often. 1 in 1000 pdis I would guess. Edited by Wills2 on Monday 20th April 12:31
Wills2 said:
More likely someone has put a dent in it at the dealership and they are buying time to try and fix it, if it were me I'd be going to the dealer to see my car pronto.
A very common problem. I may have dented a couple myself back in the day. There is a HUGE amount of stuff that happens before cars reach their first customer, about which said customer would be hugely pissed if they knew.As you have already paid for the car I think I would be asking the Sales Exec exactly what the issue is and what they are doing about it / timescale for letting you know.
This is perhaps even more pertinent if you are partex.
If no satisfactory answer then ask for the DP or at least Sales Manager.
This is perhaps even more pertinent if you are partex.
If no satisfactory answer then ask for the DP or at least Sales Manager.
Furbo said:
A very common problem. I may have dented a couple myself back in the day. There is a HUGE amount of stuff that happens before cars reach their first customer, about which said customer would be hugely pissed if they knew.
Ignorance is bliss - but in this case, and particularly as you have paid for the car so its your property now, I would (as others have suggested) be hot footing it to the dealer to see the car. If its off site in the body shop be prepared for a barrage of excuses and tall stories.BunkMoreland said:
Wills2 said:
More likely someone has put a dent in it at the dealership and they are buying time to try and fix it, if it were me I'd be going to the dealer to see my car pronto.
Cant speak for the OP. But this really doesnt happen very often. 1 in 1000 pdis I would guess. Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff