We're going to collect our pre-reg Karoq next week, and the dealer has asked us if we'd like  "GardX/G3 paint and interior protection" at £399.  I assume it's a typo and its GuardX.

 

Normally I'd stay clear (no pun) of these add ons and extras when buying a car, but wanting to challenge my own prejudices, I thought I'd quickly ask the community's collective opinion first.  The car has clocked up about 200 miles .

 

We live in a rural spot, far from the coast and while there are trees, it's otherwise mainly open fell.  The lanes here are regularly gritted in winter.

 

Any thoughts?

This is a money-maker for the dealership.  Avoid.  If you'd like some additional protection, spend the money at an independent local 'detailer' (absurd U.S. name but that's what they all call themselves) who will use better-quality products and have the training and skill to apply them well. Those are almost always lacking at larger corporate dealerships.

 

I am not alone in my view: https://www.detailingworld.co.uk/threads/gard-x-ceramic-dealer-quote.433773

 

That site should list some independents local to you.

Edited 24 October, 20241 yr by mumpsim

11 minutes ago, mumpsim said:

This is a money-maker for the dealership.  Avoid.  If you'd like some additional protection, spend the money at an independent local 'detailer' (absurd U.S. name but that's what they all call themselves) who will use better-quality products and have the training and skill to apply them well. Those are almost always lacking at larger corporate dealerships.

 

I am not alone in my view: https://www.detailingworld.co.uk/threads/gard-x-ceramic-dealer-quote.433773

 

That site should list some independents local to you.

Thanks again mumpsim, that was my gut feeling too.  I can see you're going to be my 'go-to' guru for the 'new' Karoq  

I've been offered these sort's of 'add-ons' on new and ex demo cars many times over the years; Exterior Protection, Interior Upholstery Protection, Alloy Wheel Insurance, Gap insurance. This is where the dealers make their money on a car sale because there is intense competition through online websites for the actual vehicle price. If you are buying through PCP and intend handing the car back at the end of the contract and getting another new car on PCP the dealers like taking back vehicles with these 'insurances' on them because they can get the car prepped for resale on their forecourt by claiming on these insurances at zero cost to them, in fact they actually make money because they 'invoice the insurer for the work they needed to do. When trading in a car against a new one I've been told if I'd had these insurances they trade in would have been higher, but not by the amount I'd have had to fork out for the insurances though.

 

Prior to my Karoq I had a pre-reg VW Touran which had 27 miles on the odometer, instead of paying £400 for exterior protection and £300 for interior protection, I spent £100 on Autoglym products, clay bar, resin polish and HD Wax, Upholstery Cleaner and Vinyl Cleaner/Polish. If you have the time,, one weekend in spring and one weekend in Autumn was all it needed and the products lasted 6 years, before |\I needed to buy more.

 

Find a good detailer and save yourself some time and money!

My pre-reg came with ceramic coating (cost of which was added on my invoice). Since my little scratch (deffo cat that got shut in garage), I have to get a “proper” repair to maintain the coating warranty. A few weeks down the line, still not done as cannot find anyone to do it (too small a job/cost of recoating panel). Oh for the days of ordinary paint and Duplicolor!