Took delivery on Monday and it's been locked in the garage until today as I've been away with work.

I took a couple of minutes to look round during the handover at the dealer and everything seemed to be OK. Now I've had a better look I've noticed a couple of external paint/bodywork imperfections.

Firstly there's two shallow hairline scratches just below the rear nearside window, and a very small scuff near the rear nearside quarter-light. I assume these can be rectified fairly cheaply?

The main concern is the rear offside wheel arch which looks like it's had a less than perfect repair job. :( It's an inch or so section that undulates but has no paint missing. Could this have been done in the factory prior to painting or would it more likely be a transportation/handling mistake that was repaired?

I'm still very impressed with the car, even with these issues, but I don't want to think I've been given a sub-standard product. I'm particularly concerned if my residuals might be affected by the wheel arch situation.

Any suggestions given that I've already had the car almost a week?

Get it back to the dealer PDQ.

However they will argue that the PDI they did was OK and you should have noticed any issues on pick up. They will then wash their hands of any wrongdoing and leave you on your own.

They may not and I hope so for your sake, but the above is what I am currently suffering. Shame really as it's a nice car. My first (and last) Skoda.

Good luck and keep us updated.

Sadly I think transporter damage is all too common.

Mine came off the transporter, with the roof covered in thick Oil from the ramps and hydraulics. (Like transmission Oil)

Obviously, Skoda werent responsible atall, so i got the transporter company to pay for a full Exterior Valet.

Was nice after that.

I've been out for another look this morning and it's not as bad, or as big, as I'd lead myself to believe. In fact the missus took a look and wondered what on earth I was causing a fuss for. Blame an over-active imagination!

Anyway, quick pic:

I can't make my mind up whether it's painted over transit damage of some sort or paint-run (would the arches have been painted prior to assembly?). As it stands I can't see the point in contacting the dealer as the stress/potential gain trade-off doesn't seem worth it.

It's not perfect so take it back.

if its a new car then take it back.

scratches though will be argued that they might have happened after you left the dealership (as they can happen) but i would like to think if they were a good dealership they would at least try and machine them out for you.

that looks like a paint imperfection though, which you should defo go back and get the dealership to sort it out. imoa they would have spotted that (cos i know i would) and would get money from skoda to sort it so they wont be out of pocket. if they have left it too late for that, thats their lookout really.

I can't make my mind up whether it's painted over transit damage of some sort or paint-run (would the arches have been painted prior to assembly?). As it stands I can't see the point in contacting the dealer as the stress/potential gain trade-off doesn't seem worth it.

Personally, looking at that pic I'd be back like a shot. Its alot of cash your paying for your motor, at the very least it has to be perfect when you get it.

A mate of mine picked his new Audi A5 up on Friday, and when he got the car home parked it up and stood to admire his new purchase and noticed a very similar paint defect to what you're describing above. A quick phone call to the dealership and they said that they would sort it no problem - so he's a bit happier now. Worth a phone call to the dealer where you bought it from me thinks a nd see what they say.

Just spoke to the salesman who sold me the car. He didn't sound defensive and said these things can happen. Told me to talk to service manager when he gets in tomorrow.

Please do let us know how you get on - I'm in the same situation as yourself, only a bit further down the road (no pun intended!) with both the dealer and Skoda UK sticking the proverbial two fingers up at me.

Spoke to the service manager this morning. I'm taking it in for a quick look a week on Saturday (I'm not about much at the moment). If needed it will be done under warranty and sent to a specialist paint shop.

Mine came off the transporter, with the roof covered in thick Oil from the ramps and hydraulics. (Like transmission Oil)

Obviously, Skoda werent responsible atall, so i got the transporter company to pay for a full Exterior Valet.

Was nice after that.

That is just plain wrong. Skoda are responsible as that is who you purchased the car from. It should have been down to Skoda to rectify the problems and if need be, they should recoup any losses from said otehr company.

Unbelievable.

Please do let us know how you get on - I'm in the same situation as yourself, only a bit further down the road (no pun intended!) with both the dealer and Skoda UK sticking the proverbial two fingers up at me.

Lets just hope when it comes to it and they remind you your car is due a service, you stick two finger upto them and tell them you will find a dealer worthy of working on your car.

What is it with Skoda? Sound cars and too often, appaling after care :thumbdwn:

Lets just hope when it comes to it and they remind you your car is due a service, you stick two finger upto them and tell them you will find a dealer worthy of working on your car.

What is it with Skoda? Sound cars and too often, appaling after care :thumbdwn:

I have the free servicing deal, but I would think that the dealer just sends the bill to Skoda UK, so I could take my business elsewhere and take a very small chunk of revenue with me but I doubt the dealer will be too worried.

Anyway trading standards are involved and they have told me to ignore Skoda UK and deal just with the dealer as they are the ones who sold me the vehicle and with whom the contract is. Maybe my dealer needs some lessons is consumer law then because they very quickly said it wasn't them, it was Skoda UK who I should deal with re my complaint.

I have the free servicing deal, but I would think that the dealer just sends the bill to Skoda UK, so I could take my business elsewhere and take a very small chunk of revenue with me but I doubt the dealer will be too worried.

Anyway trading standards are involved and they have told me to ignore Skoda UK and deal just with the dealer as they are the ones who sold me the vehicle and with whom the contract is. Maybe my dealer needs some lessons is consumer law then because they very quickly said it wasn't them, it was Skoda UK who I should deal with re my complaint.

Oh dear, very worrying.

Yes, I have the free servicing too and after my local dealer messed up the roof rails on my Fabia estate, I vowed not to take my car to them for servicing, but like you, I am because of it being free and yes, they do bill VW group.

However, once the three years is up, I will shop around.

Good luck mate.

Took it into the dealer on Saturday who confirmed it as a factory paint run.

He's made a note on the car's records and given me the option of having it sorted under warranty. At present I'm inclined to let it be as it's not very noticeable, won't cause damage further down the line, and with any work of this nature there's a risk the bodywork might suffer in the long-term from being modified post-factory.