I was supposed to pick up my 14 plate Fabia last week.  I got a call from the dealer the night before advising that there was damage to one of the rear doors and that they had to replace it.

 

I understand that on times damage does happen during transit however I'm a wee bit miffed by this.

 

Pick up is now next week, I am inclined to of least see the repair and don't want to reject the car out of hand.

 

Any advice on what I should look out for and what I should expect from the dealer?

 

Thanks

Sorry to hear that.

 

Expect it to be as it left the Factory, and no sign or repair.

Lots of cars are damaged in transit and can be repaired before arriving at the dealers,

one of those things sadly.

 

Years ago i did repairs on new cars.

Some cars from manufacturers have Options fitted at Dockside Facilities and repairs carried out,

others at specialist depots.

 

Inspect the car closely, very closely and if you accept the car because it is perfect,

then maybe still have an independent Painter check it for you.

 

Next week is almost April, so if there is an issue with the VED and it is not a very cheap VED,

tell the dealer you want the Warranty to start When you collect and not the car First Registered 

much before you collect it,

& maybe ask for some Gesture from them to compensate for the extended wait.

If they are not already to offer something, i would hope they are.

 

Enjoy the car when it arrives.

 

george

Many cars are damaged and repaired before even leaving factories, so providing it looks ok all is good. (Source - I used to work in such a factory!)

At least the Dealer told you the truth about the delay, giving you an opportunity to inspect their repair prior to accepting it. (We ASSUME it was the real reason for the delay)

Suggest you ask to view in artificial light (eg workshop) as some repaired panels colours show up in artificial light but not in daylight. By the way- what colour is it?

Some may advise to reject the car but I don't see why if it's properly repaired and painted.

As suggested above, try for some 'extras' such as mats, free services,tank of fuel or other accessories.

Don't worry too much as you get a 3 year warranty so, if problems show up, you have recompense.

Me too, used to work at big car factory in the north east and they had about 4 repair stations at the end of the production line with infra red lamps and spray booths, managers were always getting their cars sorted on night shift !!!

They also had a big compound in Holland that could retro fit euro spec options and carry out any transit repairs.

I would be happy if they compensate you accordingly, after all it is asking away from the 'new' car wait, knowing its been tampered with/parts removed and replaced.

Although done right, you would not have known if the dealer had not been upfront but I would peruse for a suitable compensation

Thank guys - you have reinforced what I was going to do.  t had been suggested by some work colleagues that I should just reject the car out of hand. 

 

The colour is brilliant metallic silver - is this easy to match?

 

The dealer has advised that they will offer some sort of compensation but not what at the mement.

It is not easy to match,

but if you are a professional and qualified painter/refinisher then it should be, but can mean more than the door is refinished.

But then that who should be doing the repair, profesionals,  and thats their regular job.

 

The paint has to be done to Skoda Specifications.

If the dealer is using Kerbside Autos Bodyshop then thats a 'Fail'.

 

Look see, and if not happy get the dealer to get a New car, and supply a Courtesy car in the Mean Time,

I take it they took it off the Transporter and Signed accepted it as Damaged in Transit,.

 

Or did it just get damaged at the Dealership after delivery? 

During or after the PDI if the call to say it was damaged was the night before delivery to you.

(or was delivery running it up the road from one Dealership or Depot to another.

eg Edinburgh to Glasgow as some dealers do?)

 

Call Skoda UK Customer Services and ask, if not happy with the Dealers Story.

 

george

 

PS

If you want, can you PM me which Dealership it was?

Understandably you are rightly miffed but to be honest I wouldn't dream of trying to reject the car over something like this. Any attempt to reject will almost certainly fail straightaway as the dealer needs to be given a reasonable amount of time/attempts to put it right first.

I'd wait and see what the repair looks like and what goodwill gesture they have provided before worrying any further at this stage. I've got a feeling once you have the car this blip will be quickly forgotten as you begin to enjoy your new motor :-)

It is not rejecting if the papers are not signed and the handover taken place.

If finance is in place again the car is still not handed over.

But complications are there to be dealt with.

 

If the First Registration is in the OP's name already, then thats an issue.

Warranty is now running etc if the PDI was done, car Registered and ready to go to hand over, then descovered to have Damage.

 

Anyway a new car in perfect condition is what you are buying,

so accept or do not accept as you wish, but there can be issues to deal with.

 

So hopefully the Dealer is on the ball, honest and with good customer care.

 

george

As it is a brand new car, the paint match should not be an issue, if it was a couple of years old I would have been slightly worried

 

As stated at least the dealer has been honest about the delay.

 

I would just be attentive to the repair done & if not 100% happy dont take the car, any warranty should still be honoured specially around paintwork.

Also when you pick the car up insist in documentation that the car has been repaired.

 

Otherwise - Enjoy the car.

They are replacing the door and probably it would be sent from factory ? Already painted ?

It is not rejecting if the papers are not signed and the handover taken place.

 

Ahhhh yeah that's a fair point. I'd forgotten he's probably not signed any papers for it yet. Presumably he may just lose his deposit if he walked out on the deal at this late stage.

Hopefully all is OK.

 

They might try to keep the deposit.

A Dealer tried that with me.

 

I paid a Deposit and Ordered a car.

& it never came and never came and i cancled and they said it was built.

I would forfeit the deposit and they would recover costs for losses on the ordered vehicle.

 

Scottish dealers should get Scottish Contracts. and know the law,

Because the Order and T&C's were English Law and were not worth the paper they were written on.

So i told them check with the solicitors but i wanted my deposit and interest.

& they transferred that money back to me later that day.

 

Last Order Form, and Agreements i have looked at were still English law.

 

george