Hypothetically speaking, of course......

[XLR Motorsport]

Imagine the scenario: you buy a used car under AM's 'Timeless' scheme. The common issue of condensation in the rear lights is noticeable when taking delivery of the car, so you agree to bring it back to have the rear light clusters changed.

The AM dealership then informs you they have swapped the light clusters with another, similar model, which has come to them PX and is off to the auction house.

A couple of months later, you notice that one of the light clusters doesn't fit properly. In fact, it literally sticks out like a sore thumb. After kicking yourself for not noticing sooner, you realise the car is in for service soon so you'll address the issue (along with a couple of others) then.

What would you, as the customer, do? What would you expect the dealership to do now? Hypothetically speaking, of course

[XLR Motorsport]

Cold said:

Just ask them to adjust the way the lights are mounted. There's a bit of movement possible in the fittings to allow for a snug fit. You're not exactly requesting an engine rebuild!

Would I be out of order to ask them to put new light clusters in owing to the circumstances?

[XLR Motorsport]

rog007 said:

So they fitted used items to your car to rectify a fault?

I’d not have accepted that.

This is what started eating away at me a bit. At the time, it was one issue and I was a fresh-faced, spotty-nosed new AM owner, so when told what the lights had been replaced with, I responded with 'OK'. But then came other issues - corroded wheels - whereby I had AM fighting my corner after the dealership told me I'd have to foot the bill if I wanted them refurbished (this was all prevalent on the car at time of purchase). When the wheels came back, they were substandard.

The car went in for service and other things were missed. The fact one light is misshapen (not necessarily maladjusted) was almost like the straw that broke the camel's back. The car is a garage queen and I don't have great attention to detail, so yes, I probably should have spotted it sooner but the fact of the matter is, I didn't! If they can rectify it but adjusting it, then fine. I'll live with that.

macdeb said:

I actually think it pretty despicable that they may change them from a car that's going to auction. What gives them the right to pass on their bad fortune to someone else? Bad practice and they should be named.

I don't feel in a position to name and shame yet. Besides, they still have my car in their possession I was so keen to build a good relationship with them initially but now I feel like they just want rid of me as I bought one of the cheapest used cars on their forecourt back in the summer.

[XLR Motorsport]

8Tech said:

They accepted the responsibility of rectifying the fault, they were not obliged to fit new lights, they were well within their rights to simply carry out the drill-and-vent mod to the original lamps but chose to improve on that by supplying some known good lamps.

I'm not sure AM would allow this on a car sold under their Timeless scheme.

8Tech said:

Would you expect a new tyre if the car had a puncture?

Yes. Why, would you buy a car that had a puncture when you took delivery of it from a main dealer? If so you're every dodgy used car salesman's dream.