So the story begins .........

 

Picked up the ex-demo Octy III on 17th October, over the moon with it in terms of the drive and spec etc.

 

Within a couple of days I thought it is a bit dark in the cabin at night, so started having a look around and noticed 2 immediate faults - the downlighter LEDs not working and the illumination of the stop/start, mode switch etc. not working unless selected and glowing orange.

 

Notified the dealer, along with poor bluetooth handsfree, keeps dropping calls, crackly etc. and the Bluetooth+ not boosting the signal either. Oh, and the Columbus doesn't have the option to select the speed limit display on the Columbus from the embedded map data (nothing to do with traffic sign recognition).

 

In it goes, parts are ordered, they can't fault the bluetooth as it works fine with the technicians phone.

 

I go back to collect and demonstrate to the service advisor the crackling on 2 different phones on 2 different networks. He agrees there is a fault, and they will look at it again when the parts are in. As for the Columbus, they hook it up to VAS and can't see a coding/adaptation to enable the speed limits, so will speak to Skoda when it is next in.

 

I'm not too concerned at this point, a couple of parts needed, big deal, that's what warranties are for.

 

I scan the car when I get home and a fault code is logged for terminal 58xs interior illumination short to earth - no big deal, could just be the faulty items shorting out.

 

I then notice the headlight switch isn't illuminated as well around the outer ring, only the centre of it. Mmmm - starting to get concerned now as this is starting to point to an underlying issue - the chances of 3 interior lighting related parts all being faulty are pretty slim to say the least. I inform the dealer and they order a headlight switch as well. They still want to wait for all of the parts to come in before booking back in.

 

The best part of 2 weeks later, and only 1 out of the three parts has turned up. At this point I get a bit shirty pointing out that they don't even have a date for one of the parts to arrive, and I'm not waiting forever. I start asking for parts to be taken off other demonstrators or showroom cars, which they don't seem too impressed by! They agree to book it back in and take another look.

 

Now for the fun bit - guess what, it is a wiring fault!

 

The entire dashboard has been removed and after 3 days they pinpoint it to the fact that during manufacture the loom has been trapped between the metal frame supporting the dash and the body of the car and it is shorting out! They have repaired the damaged wire and apparently the illumination is now working, but it needs to stay with them into next week so they can reassemble the dashboard.

 

My concerns are around what kind of state it is going to be in when I get it back. In my experience, once you start dismantling cars to that extent it never goes back together properly, so is likely to be misaligned and have rattles that weren't there before. I didn't buy a 6 month old car to have the dashboard removed 2 weeks later to repair a fault that has been there since manufacture.

 

They haven't sorted the Columbus or Bluetooth issues yet either.

 

So, do I have grounds to reject - there was a fault at the point of supply, and at the point of manufacture, so does SOGA come in to play?

 

I am not sure I want the car back given that the entire dash has been out, if it had been rattly when I test drove it I wouldn't have bought it, this option seems to have been denied me by the repair happening after I purchased. I have owned the car 3 weeks, and a week of that has been spent back at the dealers.

 

I have contacted SUK by email and on facebook and expressed my concerns around the manufacturing error (which the dealer can hardly be blamed for) and the fact that the entire dashboard has been removed within a couple of weeks of ownership. I have also asked Skoda finance to freeze payments and interest until I receive a car repaired to my absolute satisfaction, or I reject it because it isn't to my satisfaction.

 

What would you do under the circumstances?

Do I understand it that you don't actually know if it's rattly yet, you are just assuming that it will be

 

I thought the seller had to be given the opportunity to repair it before you get anywhere near the position of being able to reject it, but I'll bow to anyone with greater knowledge than me

http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/tips-and-advice/your-new-car-rights

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/theoneshow/2010/01/new-car-problems-try-doms-down.shtml

Do I understand it that you don't actually know if it's rattly yet, you are just assuming that it will be

 

I thought the seller had to be given the opportunity to repair it before you get anywhere near the position of being able to reject it, but I'll bow to anyone with greater knowledge than me

 

Yep, along those lines. If the car comes back 100% (and I mean 100%) then that worry goes away, just the concern now that the loom has been damaged at the point of manufacturer and a repair has had to be done, am I going to end up with ongoing electrical problems and may as well just get used to paying for an Octavia and driving a Fabia loaner???

 

I've taken dashboards out of many cars over the years, and they never seem to go back in without the odd rattle here and there.

 

So, I've given them the opportunity to repair it, if it doesn't come back 100% what would you do Brimma?

Yep, along those lines. If the car comes back 100% (and I mean 100%) then that worry goes away, just the concern now that the loom has been damaged at the point of manufacturer and a repair has had to be done, am I going to end up with ongoing electrical problems and may as well just get used to paying for an Octavia and driving a Fabia loaner???

 

I've taken dashboards out of many cars over the years, and they never seem to go back in without the odd rattle here and there.

 

So, I've given them the opportunity to repair it, if it doesn't come back 100% what would you do Brimma?

Certainly I wouldn't be happy if the repair isn't right, and that would be more cause to reject, as it's not what you bought

It might be worth letting the seller know your stance on possible rejection at an early stage, and get some acceptance of that from them, that way they can't say they haven't been warned

I agree, I have contacted SUK and Skoda Finance, I'll send the dealer an email as well.

 

My gripe isn't with the dealer, they have done what they can and have been helpful, it isn't really their fault that some muppet in the factory trapped the loom with the dash frame. If they do a good job and it is all lined up correctly with no rattles or scratches I will be happy with them. My concern is the loss of faith in the vehicle, the whole experience of getting a new car ruined, and the ongoing thought of future electrical problems caused by a damaged wiring loom. All of these are down to the manufacturing error, so should be up to SUK to resolve to my satisfaction. Maybe a 5yr/100k warranty and a set of winter wheels and tyres would ease the pain LOL!

I agree, I have contacted SUK and Skoda Finance, I'll send the dealer an email as well.

 

My gripe isn't with the dealer, they have done what they can and have been helpful, it isn't really their fault that some muppet in the factory trapped the loom with the dash frame. If they do a good job and it is all lined up correctly with no rattles or scratches I will be happy with them. My concern is the loss of faith in the vehicle, the whole experience of getting a new car ruined, and the ongoing thought of future electrical problems caused by a damaged wiring loom. All of these are down to the manufacturing error, so should be up to SUK to resolve to my satisfaction. Maybe a 5yr/100k warranty and a set of winter wheels and tyres would ease the pain LOL!

There's no harm trying...........good luck

It was only half serious - a warranty extension would be an absolute must though. And I don't want SUK making the dealer pay part of it either.

I think you will struggle to reject the car

 

However you should look to get as much out of them as you can

I agree, the daft thing is I like the car, I won't find another with the options I want easily (Xenon, LED rear, Columbus, Canton, Winter Pack, 18" Golus, Bluetooth+, Flappy paddles). The only other option I would have wanted was Front Assist and ACC, but seeing as these got dropped at the point I was ordering I decided I may as well have an ex-demo if I couldn't have the exact spec I wanted new. It ticked all the boxes in terms of spec, and I actually prefer Alcantara to leather now I have had it a couple of weeks. Plus, it worked out a fair bit cheaper per month and I still get the 3 year servicing as it is an ex-demo.

 

It is all about the experience and the concern of future problems, all of which only SUK can resolve (assuming the dealer do a good job of fixing it).

If you bought it approved used then it comes automatically with a 30 day 1000 mile exchange element to the program;

 

http://www.skoda.co.uk/used-cars/advantages-of-skoda-used-cars/

 

 

If you have not gone over this mileage in the time you have had the car, then I'd inform the dealer that you will be invoking said clause if it's not spot on when they give you it back; might make them try harder to sort it :wonder:

 

 

TP

Gone over that mileage now, but not at the point of reporting the fault, or the first time it was in to be fixed. That is irrelevant anyway, as SOGA will override it, and the fault existed at the point I collected the car, in fact, at the point of manufacture.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk

I agree, I have contacted SUK and Skoda Finance, I'll send the dealer an email as well.

My gripe isn't with the dealer, they have done what they can and have been helpful, it isn't really their fault that some muppet in the factory trapped the loom with the dash frame. If they do a good job and it is all lined up correctly with no rattles or scratches I will be happy with them. My concern is the loss of faith in the vehicle, the whole experience of getting a new car ruined, and the ongoing thought of future electrical problems caused by a damaged wiring loom. All of these are down to the manufacturing error, so should be up to SUK to resolve to my satisfaction. Maybe a 5yr/100k warranty and a set of winter wheels and tyres would ease the pain LOL!

Sorry this was my mobile

I had a similar expirience when i bought my mk2 octavia. I know that feeling ruined when they had to change my turbo. That was 6 years ago

But here we are now the car is over 100k km and it still feels and drives like new, despite sometimes hearing rattles and vibrations here and there Sometimes:) have faith in the dealer and dont be bothered by some small rattles or niggles, if any.

I wish luck and joyous miles with your new Octy!

You have two legal contracts one with the dealer as the supply under SOGA and one with the finance company.  Both are responsible for supplying a car that needs to be of reasonable quality and fit for purpose.

 

You could argue that the wiring loom is not of reasonable quality and makes the car not fit for purpose by proving the repair failed or another fault appeared linked to the loom. Should there be any other faults due to the repair then you can add them to your evidence that the car is not fit for purpose.

 

Under the law you can get your money back minus wear and tear, I got a big knock here as it took so long to fix the issues for a new one to appear.

 

Good luck

Edited 9 November, 201312 yr by Dempsek

I don't want to reject the car, I'll not find another to the spec easily. My concern is the possibility of future problems. Lets see what SUK have to say as it is a manufacturing error.

Until there is an issue you can't do anything.

You can't reject because it might happen.

Is not the fact that the entire dashboard has been removed to repair a damaged loom an issue?

Is not the fact that the entire dashboard has been removed to repair a damaged loom an issue?

 

Sorry to say this, the removal of the dash is not a fault.

 

Legally SUK have no responsibility, they can help move things on. You are reliant on the dealers or the finance company agreeing the car is not fit for purpose or of reasonable quality. 

OK, so wait for them to fix it, take it back and wait for the next issue to occur.

 

If it doesn't, brilliant.

 

If it does, it will be a PITA from that point onwards 

 

I hope that the dealer does a good job (I have no reason to doubt them), and all is well.

Hold the the bus here, you said they have "repaired the loom". Not on your nelly would I allow them to repaire the loom. On a brand new car it should and always be a brand new loom every time.

That depends on how much damage there was. If it was a couple of damaged wires I'd much rather have that repaired than have the entire car dismantled by a dealer to replace a full loom.

The catch 22 here is all the time the car is being fixed and time goes by you are loosing money in depreciation when you manage to reject the car.

 

You need to act quick if you do want to reject.

 

I hope the fix goes well.

Maybe its just me and a bit more forgiving but just let them fix it and get back on the road?  You are ready to pounce on them for the slightest squeak or rattle.  Nature of the beast with cars to make small noises when moving.

 

As you said "over the moon with it in terms of the drive and spec etc." why wouldn't you be over the moon with it again when fixed.

 

Cars are complicated stuff and sometimes they need to be taken to pieces to fix small problems.

 

Sounds to me that dealer is doing all they can right now - do you have reasonable grounds to reject the car?  I don't think so.  Not a major/catastrophic or cumulative ongoing fault.  Thats what warranties are for.

I'm always taking a dash out in something 10+ years old when I'm not at work, and they are on a sliding scale from terrible to get back in properly rattling or with gaps, through to absolutely impossible to tell. The mk3 cab was the first production car to have everything go in at once and from there in things got better. As zoidberg says I'd much rather have a repair on a nicked wire than the whole loom stripped out, but you should take a step back. The sat nav is a minor issue which can be fixed and if anything the dealer may be at pains to make sure the car doesn't boomerang and will be putting it back in at a much more leisurely pace than they did in the factory!

A friend of mine had a moped loose control on a country lane and smash right up the bonnet and over the roof on the 2nd day he had it. He was in the same state of mind (more rightly so perhaps) about them deciding to repair and not replace. But a month later he got his brand new sporty a5 estate back again and he's never had an issue since..

Well, apart from a bit of glass out of the airvent! Basically, if it comes back fixed, I bet it won't be squeaking, and you shouldnt what-if the next step, I'm exactly the same - just look at my posts about delivery tines - but the car is already "yours" and it'll just be giving it more character in the long run!