Hi everyone, I need some advice if possible.

Today (Thursday) my Skoda went into the local Skoda dealers to replace an Oxygen Sensor and turn off the engine management light.

At 11:00am a bloke came from the Skoda dealers to collect my car. I opened the door and said hello. I knew the bloke from the 2 previous times the car was taken to Skoda to replace the coolant temp sensor and to diagnose the oxygen sensor was faulty. I signed a some paperwork and the bloke left with the keys (I never left the house and he got my signiture and left).

Around 4:50pm I phoned the dealers to see when/if my car would be returned. I couldn't get through to Service, so left a message. I phoned again about 5:00pm as I knew the dealers would be closing shortly and chose the option to speak with Sales. I spoke to a man who said he would get service to call me asap. 10mins later the bloke rung back and said "Don't worry, your car will definately be back today, even if we close they will still deliver it" to which I thanked him very much for the call and the info. Then asked if the engine light is now off, to which he replied "I don't know whats been done", so I said would Service call me to explain what they have done and he said "Yeah, Im sure they will".

Anyway, my car was returned around 5:40pm and the bloke knocked on the door. I said "Has the engine light gone off now" and he replied "The only light that was on it the TC light", I replied "What TC light" and he said "Traction Control". I asked why this was on and he said "Cause its damp its spinning everywhere". Then he said "Has it got a dump valve", I said "No its standard". He said "Its got a dump valve sound or even a wastegate sound, which is different". I couldn't work out what he meant as Ive not heard this.

A bit annoyed at this I just agreed and thought "His had a little play on the way home as the Traction Control Light only comes on when booting it in 1st or fast changes into 2nd, etc", but just shrugged it off.

About 7:10pm I went out to the car and drove to me mates to pick something up. I noticed the bloke parked the car next to a bush instead of my usual space (My usual space was empty and he parked there both times before). When I got in the car I noticed a bag that I pushed to the front of the passenger footwell (Had clothes in) was upside down touching the passenger seat. It looked like the mats had been hoovered. When I started the car I felt the clutch was different as the biting point was near the floor, when it normally is near the top of the pedal.

I went to the boot to put something in the car and I saw my sub speaker laying flat almost near the rear of the car (Normally against the back seat). As I hadn't carpeted the mount for the sub it did slide around slightly, so I put 2 screws in the wood to hold it in. The wood had moved 2inches away from the back of the seat and a screw had been ripped out the wood where the box went past it! I also noticed it looked like the car had been washed, but wasn't sure due to poor lighting!

So I got more annoyed, but not much I could do except be ****ed knowing someone has ragged my car about.

I took my son to Toy's R Us for XMas presents and when going back to the car I saw a reflection of light and water marks on the roof. I wash my car atleast every two weeks, normally every week and I NEVER leave water marks. I have spent £50-100 on cleaning products as its a black car and shows mark, etc and I even used a Meguires Clay Bar 2 weeks ago.

Later I went to meet another mate in a nearby car park (Local car meet happens there on a Thursday) and I told him about the bloke ragging my car and said they also washed it. He looked at the paint work and pointed out loads of swirl marks (Not small ones, massive ones) and a scratch on the bonnet that wasn't there before (When you wash ya car enough you notice most marks!). The paint felt like glass for the past 2 weeks due to being clayed, but now it feels rough and no where near as smooth!

So my question is, where do I stand with this? As Im proper ****ed! My cars been ragged round and put through a car wash when I didn't ask for it (Ok, it was courtesy and they tried to do a good thing, but a black car? Come on!)

Thanks for any help and advice. I will ring the dealer tomorrow, but would like to know people views or advice as the garage will try to fob me off.

Other than putting your point about the apparent 'ragging', and playing on your customer loyalty and disappointment, and hoping they do something for goodwill - you are out on a limb I'm afraid. Decide what you want them do do - a proper 3rd party valet? - in case they decide to be nice! Nothing you can do legally, especially given the delay in you complaining. 90% certain they won't be interested.

Im thinking the same mate. If nothing comes of it I will name and shame the company with full details of my problems with them, so I cannot be done for slander as its all true! If they offer a detailed paint repair from a 3rd party I would accept it. TBH I think re-claying the car will get rid of most of it, but thats more of my time wasted by other people! and in this weather Im not sitting outside claying my car, hence I did it a few weeks ago when warm.

Spoke to one of the people in the branch. I explained there was swirl marks in the paint and she said "Swirly marks" in a sarcastic tone. Apparently spoke to someone and said the car was washed by hand. How could someone put swirl marks in paint literally from the top to the bottom of the bonnet by hand?? I also told her that the car was ragged and she said "It wouldn't of been" and I told her that the bloke dropping the car told me the traction control light came on. This would only happen driving fast in 1st or 2nd gear. She has fobbed me off to go into the dealers on Tuesday and speak to the manager. I will be going in tomorrow morning and asking who ever is there to check the damage!

Its a tough one mate. Most people treat their car as a workhorse, a white good, a way of getting from A to B, and would appreciate doorstep delivery of their car and a quick once over with a dirty sponge. Joe Public wouldn't know what swirl marks even are "the car is clean, whats the problem" :confused:

As a car enthusiast, I've always made a point (politely mind!) that I'd rather the car wasn't driven further than necessary, and please don't wash it. Also insist on a joint walk around the car to confirm its condition before handing the keys over. As long as you are polite, most dealers would be understanding that its your pride and joy, and do their best to reassure you that it will be looked after.

In this instance, hopefully a good polish will see the paintwork restored to its former condition, and maybe a quick word with the dealer principal to express your disappointment to see what they have to say.

Sadly just because you know/believe something is true, if you can't prove it in court, it is still defamation and you could still be sued for damages.

Seems to me like too many people haven't the slightest clue what watermarks are, or that it leaves marks. Cue me politely asking my neighbours to stop their kids spraying water guns at my car after I've washed it and them going off on one shouting in the street because it's "not doing any damage" . Then they sprayed water guns at it more, and dumped rubbish on top of it etc, lovely.

I'd be most concerned about the clutch bite point. If the clutch has been smoked I'd be demanding a replacement.

Edited 12 December, 200817 yr by anewman