A question on warranty If I may

[Pondrew]

Hello all again!

As many may know by now, I recently purchased a 2013 E89. Due to Covid it was bought unseen from a major stealer (Arnold Clark). I got a walkround video upon enquiry and I asked for them to highlight any issues with the bodywork. They did highlight scuffed alloys, a small piece of damage to the lower front bumper and a couple of "stone chip" type marks and small scuffing on the driver seat bolster. I negotiated some discount to take into account getting the above fixed.
It was delivered on a transporter and it was dark when it arrived at my home. It was driven into the garage and has not been out since, apart from once onto the drive to test the roof was operating OK.
The car has their own (I presume) 60 day warranty. I have had the car for 19 days now.

I noticed for the first time yesterday that the middle of the rear bumper, directly under the number plate, has some damage. It is easy to miss as this is dark grey/black and the car is white. It looks like someone has reversed into a tow bar or a tow bar has reversed into it. It has pushed the plastic in and bulged top and bottom. I cannot repair this. I am guessing it will need a new skirt which will be bl00dy expensive.

My question is; should I talk to them about claiming the bumper under their warranty, as it wasn't picked up on the walkround video therefore I was unaware of it. I am wondering if the "distance selling" rules would make any difference in this situation? I would like a bit of knowledge otherwise I will just ring them and start shouting if they say "up yours".
If anyone has any knowledge of this type of thing I would be grateful.

 

[Pondrew]

The video walkround is still live. this is the link
https://www.arnoldclarkcarpreview.com/vxnKDMP9w8L
I can now see the damage on the rear bumper because I am looking for it but didn't see it before.

 

[Argyll Andy]

A couple of points relating to Arnold Clark specifically,

Their 60 day warranty ain’t worth sh!t in my experience. It only covers major mechanical and electrical faults afaicr.

As far as bodywork damage goes, I was standing in front of a car with my daughter and their sales manager and pointed out some major paint imperfections. The response, which made me walk away mid sentence, was roll of his eyes, followed by ‘ok then, we’ll fix that bit, that bit, not that bit, or that bit and those big scratches we’ll throw in a touch up pen and.................” I never heard the rest

Basically they were fixing the bits VW would cover under their paint warranty but nothing that I’d have classed as damage and they’d have had to pay for.

I think now you’ve said that you can see the damage on the video they’ll respond the exact same, it was visible and you missed it so you bought it as seen and that was able to be seen.

The distance selling, I think you’ve only got 14 days and you’ve said it’s now 19.

All that said if still be phoning them and chancing it, even if it’s just to make you feel better :rofl:

 

[Zed Baron]

Luckily the Msport rear bumper skin is made of two parts, you would only need to replace the lower half, have a look on Ebay they vary in price

 

[Smartbear]

The video walkround is still live. this is the link
https://www.arnoldclarkcarpreview.com/vxnKDMP9w8L
I can now see the damage on the rear bumper because I am looking for it but didn't see it before.

You’d be better off sourcing a good used one if you can, if the damage has been featured in their video i don’t think you’ve got any comeback after purchasing
Rob

 

[Pondrew]

It annoys me more because I specifically told them I am fussy about my cars and want to know any issues so I can make an informed decision. NEVER, EVER buying a car this way again.

 

[Smartbear]

It annoys me more because I specifically told them I am fussy about my cars and want to know any issues so I can make an informed decision. NEVER, EVER buying a car this way again.

At least you managed to haggle a better price due to the faults you noticed, it shouldn’t cost a fortune to replace the rear valence.
Rob

 

[Ed.Straker]

Buying from Arnold Clark is ok if you are buying an endless sea of tedious Citroen’s and Nissans..look at the average Arnold Clark driver next time you see one of their stickers..

I would only buy remote from a main franchise dealer, even then I’d almost certainly want to see it in the flesh...photos can never ever give a true reflection of condition..apart from if it looks crap on the photo it will be really crap in the flesh..

Less haste more speed / buyer beware etc spring to mind...

I’m surprised you’re surprised?

 

[Silverstar]

It annoys me more because I specifically told them I am fussy about my cars and want to know any issues so I can make an informed decision. NEVER, EVER buying a car this way again.

This I agree and as a general rule I would never buy a car sight unseen but saying that you could have gone and seen it in person and still miss something which you may only spot afterwards.

 

[Pondrew]

you could have gone and seen it in person and still miss something which you may only spot afterwards.

True but that would be my fault. I can live with my own mistakes. I'll bet there are not many people would notice that bumper if I hadn't pointed it out.

 

[Zed Baron]

When I use to sell cars we had an up-spec cost that we attached to all used stock we were retailing, we use to go over the car and any small imperfections like chips/dents/wheel scuffs we would get done before we retailed it. Clearly they're not interested in what they are selling, just pushing tin, very poor, least you got something off the price.

 

[Pondrew]

I would only buy remote from a main franchise dealer, even then I’d almost certainly want to see it in the flesh...photos can never ever give a true reflection of condition..apart from if it looks crap on the photo it will be really crap in the flesh..

Less haste more speed / buyer beware etc spring to mind...

I’m surprised you’re surprised?

Are main dealers the "honest gentlemen" of car salesmen in your eyes? Not my experience.

I didn't say I'm surprised; I'm p!ssed off. There's a difference.

 

[enuff_zed]

[ref]Pondrew[/ref], I sympathise with your plight, but I feel the only answer will be to get a replacement and fit it yourself. They will be doing a fair impression of teflon-coated slalom skiers!

Bit unfair that you asked for advice, yet received less of that and more ridicule for distance buying from them. Not exactly the input you wanted or needed.

Hope you get it sorted without too much wallet-lightening.

 

[Pondrew]

I sympathise with your plight, but I feel the only answer will be to get a replacement and fit it yourself. They will be doing a fair impression of teflon-coated slalom skiers!

Bit unfair that you asked for advice, yet received less of that and more ridicule for distance buying from them. Not exactly the input you wanted or needed.

Thanks buddy. I don't mind the replies, It's all just "banter" as far as I'm concerned. I am as guilty as anyone of that!
I'm annoyed that these little things (and they are little cos I can get it sorted) take the "shine" off what should be an exciting and fun experience, because other people don't give a sh!t!

 

[Pondrew]

One bonus, though. I have four uncracked 326 wheels; given they have runflats on, I reckon that must be some kind of record. Knowing my luck, as soon as the weather improves and the car goes out all four wheels will fall off, which will be 1/2 hour after the warranty runs out

 

[Woodrow]

Well Pondew. I’ve just watched this twice. The first time without knowing any damage and would not of picked this out from the vid. The second I’d still argue that it wasn’t highlighted as the part With the damage is in shot for less that 7 seconds and that also includes the rest of the rear of the car. Even then it just looks like light distortion. If you get no joy it could be worth contacting citizens advice and the any regulatory body AC are members of.
On a separate note I did have my car reversed into a tow bar using airport parking. I didn’t notice the damage until 2 days later. They stated that it could’ve been done after I collected the car however I’m a member of Which and a simple call from their legal team got the £458 paid to me for the damage. And another free use of the airport parking that I’ve poked into my fire. :rofl:

 

[Ed.Straker]

I would only buy remote from a main franchise dealer, even then I’d almost certainly want to see it in the flesh...photos can never ever give a true reflection of condition..apart from if it looks crap on the photo it will be really crap in the flesh..

Less haste more speed / buyer beware etc spring to mind...

I’m surprised you’re surprised?

Are main dealers the "honest gentlemen" of car salesmen in your eyes? Not my experience.

I didn't say I'm surprised; I'm p!ssed off. There's a difference.

In my experience, which is mostly Audi recently is that they are a significant step up on what might be described as tier 2 suppliers..as Zedbaron pointed out there are two approaches....buy it in cheap and sell it out cheap or buy it in not quite as cheap sell it out for a lot..

I bought a year old Audi A7 and looked at it all over in the showroom..it seemed perfect...when I got it home the inside of the glovebox was badly stained and scratched ,looks like the previous owner carried a vice around..

Anyway I pointed it out and it was replaced..£965 bill..free of charge of course...

I had an Audi A5 where some muppet had jammed the USB slot and damaged it..didn’t discover it for 14 months..had a year’s main dealer warranty..they still replaced it FoC..

Part of some dealers logic is if they keep you sweet then you may come back and buy another one..

I did go with my cash to buy a car once at Arnold Clark..got there at the appointed time to find front drivers side wheel flat with an obvious wheel damage..if they can’t hold it together during the sales process what chance for after sales support..

I’m relieved that you are only pissed off

 

[Stevo1987]

If you’ve bought a used motor from a dealership, you have the right to return the car within the first 30 days of purchase. If you find a fault with the car within the 30-day period, you have the right to ‘reject’ it. You’re entitled to a full refund, or you can ask for a repair.

But you’ll have to prove that the problem was there when you bought the car.

 

[Stevo1987]

If you’ve bought a used motor from a dealership, you have the right to return the car within the first 30 days of purchase. If you find a fault with the car within the 30-day period, you have the right to ‘reject’ it. You’re entitled to a full refund, or you can ask for a repair.

But you’ll have to prove that the problem was there when you bought the car.

Info here. https://www.confused.com/buy-a-car/tips-for-buying/your-rights-when-buying-a-used-car

 

[Zed Baron]

It can happen anywhere, the other half has just bought a 5 month old car and sat for an entire evening trying to connect to Apple CarPlay... transpires unlike the advert stated it doesn't have it!.... So a few phone calls later and a new head unit being fitted next week. Least you have your video to prove that the damage existed before they shipped it to you, if that fails they are normally on Ebay secondhand and not that expensive.