Dealer Balls up

[smash]

So I took my car an Octavia Vrs Mk3 tsi DSG in for a warning on the auto headlights. And the boot rusting were it connects with the spioiler. And a sticky mfsw button.

I specifically asked them not to wash my car. As I had just had it detailed with a two day correction etc.... And I am a bit anal regarding cleaning. And use snowfoam, two bucket method etc....

Went to pick up my car annnnd they had cleaned it despite it being documented not to. So they had ruined the good work of the detail. And also scratched right on the diamond cut of my extreme wheels which had been fully refurbished and recut I had just gor them back on thursday.

Needless to say I wasnt happy.

They are ordering a new mfsw button. They updated the lights apparently. And took pics of the boot for the local vw body shop.

So I was displeased to say the least. So I have asked at my local detailers and they have quoted 250 for a 2 day correction normally costs 300. So im doing the dealer a favour with a bit of discount. As for the wheel. Well frankly I want a new one. As they have just been recut so dont want it doing again as you can only do it a few times. I Believe you can source these for 220 from hortons skoda.

The service lady said she would speak to the service manager in the morning. To confirm how they will broach the issues.

To make it worse I drove away and the auto headlights activated. And the fault came straight back up. So they had clearly not bothered to even check there update had done anything to fixing the fault. It clearly needs a new sensor.

I will for now, refrain from naming this said dealer. Until I give them chance to rectify the issues. But I am seriously unimpressed.

[blueR36]

I bet you are ! I would be livid , post it notes over the clocks saying do not clean next time

[john999boy]

I will for now, refrain from naming this said dealer.

 

As your location is Leeds then maybe we don't actually need this guy to help? Then again.....

 

[mangham54]

Only Skoda dealers in know in Yorkshire are Bicker-ing and most likely Mr Keith

[andyvee]

I know who it is, and I diagnosed the faulty sensor at the weekend. It wasn't hard, there was a fault code on the sensor saying it was faulty!

 

What smash didn't say is that the car was supplied with a Lane Assist fault as well, due to the fact that a towbar had been fitted and the A5 Lane Assist camera hadn't been coded for a towbar. That wasn't too hard to diagnose as the fault code was 'Control module incorrectly coded'!

[andyvee]

Have a look here @smash

[silver1011]

Contact Skoda UK, they need to know how **** their dealer network is.

 

I had issues with DM Keith in York a few years ago, vowed never to go back.

 

DM Keith in Leeds have their own Skoda approved bodyshop on site so I assume the photo's were for Skoda UK not the bodyshop?

[smash]

Ha thanks for all the replies. I used to be in Leeds but I arent anymore. Anyway I will let you all summarise as to the dealer........ I will escalate to skoda uk if things arent resolved. And yes andyvee was most helpful. Hence why I knew the fault with the light sensor already. Thanks for the link as well andyvee. Not quite sure why they just slapped an update on it with clearly no testing and an obvious fault at there fingertips. As for the washing I could have killed somebody when I saw it. And the scratch on the diamond cutting ahhhhh. Yes the pics of the rust need to go to the nearest vw bodyshop for approval for repair. Although apparently I may have to attend in person as pics might not be enough. My local detailer has provided a quote for redoing the paintwork protection and correction. So I will see what they say. I will most certainly be on to them 1st thing in the morning. What a pain the a**. Hate it when dealers cant do simple things

[HKRJohn]

I had an alloy chipped and scratched on a 10 plate vrs tsi in 2012 when they changed a tyre. They don't change many tyres unlike a tyre retailer. They apologised and refurbed the alloy but it wasn't the same. They did though replace the front grill free of charge which had a stone chip on it. Would be wary though about using them again for a tyre change!

[Ootohere]

You speak with the Dealer Principal, or the CEO of the group, 

not the Service Desk, Workshop Manager or even the Master Tech,   they are not paying. 

Maybe they need to be present.

[vRSAnt]

What happens when they wash over a detail ? Sorry for being dim, just wondered - I'm assuming it was like mirror super polished finish, now its like all smeared up or something ?

 

Either which way, not being listened to is poor service, whilst good service is respecting and listening to customers.

 

Even the smallest things can wind you up - paid £50 for a "good garage" scheme to help me to confirm a fault that I'd already told them practically what it was, they disagreed with my diagnosis, they were WRONG.

Oh well £50 down for me, -1 on their good garage rating for them, and never visit again.

Edited 27 January, 2016 by vRSAnt

[blueR36]

Dealer garages use the same water for several cars , use sponges and chamois leathers , so paint scratched instantly

[Jeeves]

OK,maybe a daft question but how do they clean cars when they get PDI'd?

A non-Skoda dealer I've used for a number of years managed to scratch my paint recently when replacing a part under warranty. If I didn't have a good relationship with them I'd have been fuming. They sorted it with a lifetime warranty on their SMART repair which I can't see and also sorted out another cosmetic issue not on the bodywork.

Crappens but they know I'll return if there's a bit of give and take in our relationship. It's also the first car I've not got from them in over 15 years.

[LewJo]

I don't know about other dealers but mine uses their own car wash, it always does a decent enough job.

[Auric Goldfinger]

Only Skoda dealers in know in Yorkshire are Bicker-ing and most likely Mr Keith

 

and Lookers Skoda in Harrogate ( ex Benfield )

[Auric Goldfinger]

Dealer garages use the same water for several cars , use sponges and chamois leathers , so paint scratched instantly

 

and industrial strength truck wash

[Gabbo]

I don't know about other dealers but mine uses their own car wash, it always does a decent enough job.

 

Same for me.

I'm always happy when the dealer washes the car for me & I cant say I've never noticed a problem with scratches or swirls...

Its its cleaner when it comes out than when it went in & it didnt cost me anything thats fine by me.

[vRSAnt]

and industrial strength truck wash

 

Thanks for insight all. Really ?? Why god why ? What effort is it to just change water in a bucket ? You can even collect rainwater so its not like its about money.

 

Christ I'll ask them not to wash mine when I next go in for service ! Might deliberately take it in dirty as well just to be sure lol

[smash]

Update: Dealer has agreed to pay for the re-detail. At the place it was done originally. They are debying liability for the wheel. Which is annoying. They are pre ordering the sensor for auto lights so if it faults they will have it in. Mfsw button getting replaced. And just awaiting warranty decison on rusty paintwork. So so far they are doing right by me. Going in wednesday night till saturday to get sorted minus the spray work. Courtesy car for the duration.

[smash]

So the final outcome is the dealer is paying for a two day detail at my local place inspired automotive which I am fine with. They are a great set of guys. Mitch the owner has a frightening eye for detail so it will be a1 condition when i get it back. They have not admitted liability for the wheel I am still in discussion re this. But I do have alloy insurance so this may well be covered. So not as worried about that. They are replacing my mfsw button. And have ordered a new rain/light sensor and have stated that if it faults they will replace. So I am going to show them it faulting when I drop the car off today. I have a courtesy car and get the car back saturday. The rust is getting sorted on the 15th of Feb with a boot respray. Again a courtesy car for 4 days. So then we should be all done and can get to enjoying the mk3 vrs! So overall a good result and the dealer in question has resolved my problems to my satisfaction. And gone some way to restore some faith.

[banksie]

I've started taking photos of mine on my phone when I've dropped it at the dealers. Taking individual photos of the wheels in particular. Takes but a couple of minutes and can save a lot of hassle. Guess it shouldn't have to come to this but there are people out there who will try it on with the dealers and as with all things they have to work to the lowest common denominator which means normal people pay the price!

[fireftrm]

I had the mfsw button replaced, same fault, no need for (or any rational expectation for) a replacement steering wheel.

I love that my car gets washed each time, my dealer staff never do it by hand, always by jet wash, so the 'detailing' would surely suffer the same fate driving into heavy rain at 70mph?

 

On the wheel issue I am intrigued that you have had yours refurbished as I can't find anywhere to do that - can you let us have the details and costs?

Edited 3 February, 2016 by fireftrm

[smash]

Fireftrm. You may need to reread the thread. I am not getting the steering wheel replaced only the malfuntioning button as I would expect. Please read up about detailing. It is not the use of a jet wash I use one. Detailing is a long process that brings the paintwork back to better than new in most cases. It is the fact they use sponges. In buckets that dont get fresh water that dont have grit protectors. They use jet wash brushes that are harsh or are not cleaned properly inbetween cars. And often use chemicals that strip away layers of polish and wax sealant. This ruins the process of detail. And puts swirls in the paint. The jet washing is fine as mentioned i use a jetwash and snow foam for every wash along with various other safe items for my paintwork.

Im not knocking the dealer washing cars or if you are happy with them doing it on yours. Each there own but if I ask a dealer not to waah it as it has just had 100's of pounds of detailing work done and using there washing methods will ruin that I would expect them to listen and of they go ahead and ruin the detail then I expect them to pay for it. Just as if you had fitted roof bars they remove said roof bars and break them when you asked them to leave them alone you would want a replacement. The point remains the same. Plus if they were not at fault they would not be paying for anything redoing ?! As it isn't cheap!!

[smash]

Evans halshaw payed for my wheels doing before i collected the car. Belived they used smart care who fully powdercoated and then recut the diamond cut areas then laquered the wheel. It was an excellent job. The wheel specialist who have various branches also offer the same service amongst others. Its isnt cheap tho. But cheaper than a new wheel!

[vRSAnt]

Fireftrm. You may need to reread the thread. I am not getting the steering wheel replaced only the malfuntioning button as I would expect. Please read up about detailing. It is not the use of a jet wash I use one. Detailing is a long process that brings the paintwork back to better than new in most cases. It is the fact they use sponges. In buckets that dont get fresh water that dont have grit protectors. They use jet wash brushes that are harsh or are not cleaned properly inbetween cars. And often use chemicals that strip away layers of polish and wax sealant. This ruins the process of detail. And puts swirls in the paint. The jet washing is fine as mentioned i use a jetwash and snow foam for every wash along with various other safe items for my paintwork.

Im not knocking the dealer washing cars or if you are happy with them doing it on yours. Each there own but if I ask a dealer not to waah it as it has just had 100's of pounds of detailing work done and using there washing methods will ruin that I would expect them to listen and of they go ahead and ruin the detail then I expect them to pay for it. Just as if you had fitted roof bars they remove said roof bars and break them when you asked them to leave them alone you would want a replacement. The point remains the same. Plus if they were not at fault they would not be paying for anything redoing ?! As it isn't cheap!!

 

This is a very good description of what I was originally wondering of what kind of mess could they make.

Actually having spent a good deal of time cleaning and polishing my own car recently

( which wasn't new and wasn't low miles so keeping up with cleaning can be a mission ) it really seems like a battle though particularly this time of year !

I almost can't blame those dealing with the day to day routine of cars from not understanding and respecting the obsessiveness that is required to detail your car properly.

I mean I only cleaned and polished up my car y/day and today driven for 20 miles and its got mess on it again! I despair

 

I think different colours can help though, my yellow car shows it less than my black car does.

Although I can't understand the reasoning for a dealer to actually clean a car and make it messier than it went in, that reads almost like pure spite !

its about the same in etiquette terms as showing someone your phone or tablet and they put their big greasy fingermarks all over the screen.....