Well where do I start? I've had the car for around 17 days, 9 of which it has been in my posession, the rest at the dealer I bought it from (it's still there now btw!)

Originally, it was a simple case of the dealer forgot to fit mudflaps to the car when I picked it up. Simple mistake on their part but they apologised and booked it in for the following week to have them fitted.

In the week or so that I had it, I noticed a knocking noise coming from the dashboard area which was particularly annoying so told them about this when it when in for the mudflaps. There was also a tiny tiny chip in the paint on the edge of the drivers door. Without reiterating the entire series of conversations, it took the dealer 6 days to locate the cause of the knocking which turned out to be some kind of crash / support bar behind the dashboard (the car was in complete bits apparently before they managed to find it!)

When I went to pick the car up, the first thing I noticed was that the chip on the door looked 3 times worse than it did before it went in! The guy on service, Chris, asked if I wanted to leave it with them for the bodyshop guy to redo. Having been without my pride and joy for 6 days I said I'd take it and bring it back in next week at some time.

After I'd driven it away, I noticed that they had damaged the gearknob (scratches on sides and top) and also put an imprint on the steering wheel of the sort that if you were to press your fingernail into it, that's what it would look like. The gearknob also felt a little looser since before I brought the car in so ended up taking the car back that afternoon.

The dealer agreed to replace the gearknob (the gaiter also had a tiny tiny little 'tear' in it) but said they couldn't do much about the steering wheel. He also said that the gearknob would loosen up over time because of its 'newness' (actual word used!) to which I replied that it couldn't possibly loosen up that much in the time the garage has had it!!

Apologies for the long post but my question is if the imprint, as small as it is, is still present on the steering wheel when I pick the car up again, should I refuse to take the car and get the dealer to replace the steering wheel? Also if the tiny little tear in the gaiter is still there, should I do the same for that?

These are both things that you probably wouldn't notice if noone told you but when it's a brand new car you tend to notice things more!

This link may help you decide how far you want to take things...

Sorry to hear you've been having so many problems. :thumbdwn:

A brand new car should relect that. No matter how minor, you know these things are there and they will always bug you.

I know I would be very ****ed off if I was you.

Good luck.

This link may help you decide how far you want to take things...

Sorry to hear you've been having so many problems. :thumbdwn:

Thanks mate but I'd rather not take things to that stage just yet. To the dealer's credit they have been very apologetic about it all and I'm inclined to give them a chance to sort it out.

The dealer btw, in case anyone knows them is D M Keith in Ossett, Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

Oh yes I know them well.....

Speak to Dion Lowe (Dealer Principle) who will assist you if you have an issue with the Service Desk.

Failing that contact either Angus or Dougal Keith. Both are passionate about the reputation of their company and will deal with the problems quicly for you.

Oh yes I know them well.....

Speak to Dion Lowe (Dealer Principle) who will assist you if you have an issue with the Service Desk.

Failing that contact either Angus or Dougal Keith. Both are passionate about the reputation of their company and will deal with the problems quicly for you.

Thanks, I'll bear that in mind if I don't get anywhere with Chris and the team. To be honest, they've always looked after me well up until now. Just hope this is a one-off!

Just an update. I rang the garage yesterday (Thursday) at 5pm for an update and they said that nothing had been done that day. Asked them if the gearknob would be replaced to which Chris replied 'I think so sir yes'. Then asked if the gaiter is being replaced too to which he said 'I don't think so as it's a separate part' - told him there's a tiny nick in the leather and that Jon (the salesman) had picked up on it when I showed him the damage to the gearknob on Wednesday.

Going to ring them again today for another update, any idea on what's a realistic amount of time to give them to sort all this out? Don't want another consecutive weekend without my pride and joy :(

Pretty sure the kn0b and gaiter are one part.

The gear lever and gaitor are separate (having had one replaced).

they said that nothing had been done that day

Deja vu

Well, picked up my car just yesterday after having been in the garage for a total of 10 days no less!

I'm pleased to report that it's pretty much perfect now (I say pretty much because I haven't found anything wrong with it... yet!) They've sorted everything, including replacement of my gearknob and gaiter without quibble. The garage was also very apologetic about it all which always helps.

The salesman who sold me the car, Jon, even offered to come out on a test run with me to check that everything was hunky dory before I went home with it. Needless to say I'm a very happy chappy now, all faith has been restored!

Glad to hear the good news

Scott,

I think I have the same noise on my 06 vRS, it sounds like a creak from the corner of the dashboard that is particularly annoying and spoils the car. I has been into the dealer for 4 days and after replacing the windscreen they now think its a panel behind the windscreen/bulkhead, so to me it sounds like the same issue. However until they get it in the bodyshop for a week(dash out etc) they are still unsure how to fix the problem. Do you know what the garage in Wakefield did to fix it?

If you could let me know that would be great?

No issues with the garage though (Horners - Rochdale they have been great)!!

Stuart.

Scott,

I think I have the same noise on my 06 vRS, it sounds like a creak from the corner of the dashboard that is particularly annoying and spoils the car. I has been into the dealer for 4 days and after replacing the windscreen they now think its a panel behind the windscreen/bulkhead, so to me it sounds like the same issue. However until they get it in the bodyshop for a week(dash out etc) they are still unsure how to fix the problem. Do you know what the garage in Wakefield did to fix it?

If you could let me know that would be great?

No issues with the garage though (Horners - Rochdale they have been great)!!

Stuart.

AFAIK they said it was something like a crash support bar located behind the entire dash assembly. Basically it was too close to the dash and was rubbing which was causing the creaking noises. They must've had to quite literally take the whole lot out to get to it as they had to re-code the car keys when it was put back together!

If your garage can't find the source of the problem, I'd get them to give D M Keith in Ossett (Wakefield) a ring and ask them what they did. Ask for Chris on service and tell them they did some work on Mr. Scott's car he'll know who you mean. I know it took them 6 days to find the problem but to be truthful they did a really good job, you can hear a pin drop now!