Disappointed new owner of a golf gti 2012

[joey79]

Hi All,

Probably not the most positive of titles or subject headings, however it does sum up how I am feeling at the moment.

I recently bought a VW golf GTI 2012 model in carbon steel.

Recently purchased from a private seller. I was a little impulsive and did not do my due diligence. I had a look at the car, took it for a test drive, price was reasonable and decided to purchase a couple days later. I had faith the owner had been honest. He purchased the vehicle with 12,000kms from a Volkswagen dealer. I asked if it had been in any accidents and was assured it hadn’t been.

The drive home was great, as most of you would know, these cars are great to drive. I arrived home quite content. The following day I parked the car outside the local shopping centre and as I was walking away, I noticed the paint on the rear left door was a little dull. Ran my hand over it and it didn’t feel as smooth as the front passenger door. Started looking at it from different angles and it became clear it had been resprayed. Needless to say I feel like a complete idiot for missing it. It does not look as though it was as a result of an accident, and might have been done to repairs some scratches. I won’t know for sure until I have a professional look at it. From what I can tell the door lines up, no obvious gaps.

I was initially excited with my purchase but now a little depressed. I’m quite a fussy owner and always keep my cars in great condition. Every time I look at the car, I can’t help but look at the rear door and it has really taken the excitement of owning this beautiful car away and left a bad taste in my mouth.

I am not going to be critical of the previous owner, the onus is on me as the buyer to be more thourough. I did send a text and ask if he had repaired the door, and he assured me he had not. He is not a car enthusiast and the car had been driven by his wife. I am thinking it was a shoddy repair by the dealer.

I would like to get it repaired but am anxious it is not going to match the other doors and panels.

I have had great experiences in car forums with fellow members always being helpful in offering advice.

How likely is it that I can get it repaired to match the panels, remove the dull texter and how much would it set me back? Are there any suggestions as to where I can take it in Sydney?

I realise there are more important things in life, but I can’t help but feel dudded and the excitement of owning the gti has dissipated.

Look forward to hearing back from fellow members.


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[tigger73]

Usually if a door has to be resprayed they will spray the whole side of the car so that you can't see the slight difference in colour between the paints. There's always a slight difference in the shade/colour.

[joey79]

Usually if a door has to be resprayed they will spray the whole side of the car so that you can't see the slight difference in colour between the paints. There's always a slight difference in the shade/colour.

Hi Trigger,

Thanks for the prompt response. If definitely appears as though it was the door only.


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[JustCruisn]

I had something similar on my Jetta. The drivers door had a different sheen to the rest of the car, the light reflection was a bit different. Not always obvious but once seen it cannot be unseen. I did not notice it on inspection either as it was not in direct sunlight.

I found it was less obvious after a good detail with fresh wax, no one other than myself ever noticed or at least said anything.
The guy I sold it to did not notice it

[joey79]

I had something similar on my Jetta. The drivers door had a different sheen to the rest of the car, the light reflection was a bit different. Not always obvious but once seen it cannot be unseen. I did not notice it on inspection either as it was not in direct sunlight.

I found it was less obvious after a good detail with fresh wax, no one other than myself ever noticed or at least said anything.
The guy I sold it to did not notice it

Hi JustCruisn,

Yes it is definitely a case of once seen it can’t be unseen. I feel especially stupid because it does have what looks like dust specks. Obviously not a good job.

It’s a shame because the car drives really well and I can see why enthusiasts rate the GTI so highly. I am sitting here obsessing over the door.


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[tigger73]

Like JustCruisn suggested, I'd be trying by giving it a good polish and wax to see if you can get the finish closer.

I think you'll find every car enthusiast will know every imperfection in their car - car park dents, curb rash, stone chips, minor scuffs on the boot lip, etc.

Realistically every daily driven car is going to have their imperfections. The only reason to kick yourself about it is that you could have knocked another $500-1000 off the purchase price... or gone with another one at similar price. Most 6 year old cars will have some repairs, body/paint damage of some sort.

[joey79]

Like JustCruisn suggested, I'd be trying by giving it a good polish and wax to see if you can get the finish closer.

I think you'll find every car enthusiast will know every imperfection in their car - car park dents, curb rash, stone chips, minor scuffs on the boot lip, etc.

Realistically every daily driven car is going to have their imperfections. The only reason to kick yourself about it is that you could have knocked another $500-1000 off the purchase price... or gone with another one at similar price. Most 6 year old cars will have some repairs, body/paint damage of some sort.

Thanks trigger,

It kind of puts things in to perspective. And yes you are right about knocking $ off the price.

I could deal with scratches here and there, which is not uncommon for a 6 year old car. This just happens to be very noticeable and really annoyed at myself for not picking it up.

I just want to try to have it corrected and move on.


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[tigger73]

Thanks trigger,

It kind of puts things in to perspective. And yes you are right about knocking $ off the price.

I could deal with scratches here and there, which is not uncommon for a 6 year old car. This just happens to be very noticeable and really annoyed at myself for not picking it up.

I just want to try to have it corrected and move on.

You were probably blind-sighted by the beauty

But yes find out the price to get corrected and/or decide to live with it and start enjoying it.

Personally I find that giving the car a good detail is a great way to start "making it your own".

And my cars all have scratches and the odd repair /paintless dent work.

If you can find out who did the paint work and see if there is any warranty on their work, you may be able to get some corrective work done. Else I would just be seeing if I could live with it and if something comes up later look to get it fixed along with any other work.

[Dutch77]

I always find a new set of wheels fixes things.

[joey79]

You were probably blind-sighted by the beauty

But yes find out the price to get corrected and/or decide to live with it and start enjoying it.

Personally I find that giving the car a good detail is a great way to start "making it your own".

And my cars all have scratches and the odd repair /paintless dent work.

If you can find out who did the paint work and see if there is any warranty on their work ability to get some corrective work done. Else I would just be seeing if I could live with it and if something comes up later look to get it fixed along with any other work.

Good advice trigger.

It would have been done a few years ago and the previous owner has advised he did not have it done. I don’t think I will have any luck tracking down the repairer.

Know of any pros in Sydney that I can go see?


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