Dodgy VW Dealer! Damage to car!

[sharkablue]

Hey guys,

As some of you may remember, I had water vapor in my brake lights on my bran new Mk6 golf. This was fixed under warranty some weeks ago.

I have noticed this morning when cleaning my car, the plastic lining on the corner of the boot lid that is basically shaped like a big 'U' and goes on the inside of the boot from one side of the car to the other has a clip that has been clean snapped off and is exactly where the brake light is.

So the lining keeps popping out and makes this annoying rattle.

For weeks I had been trying to figure out where it was coming from and I have finally narrowed it down.

I have called the dealer and I have been informed by one rep that I must pay for the repairs!!!

I have left a message and email for the manager and waiting for a call back.

This is more of a venting session and heads up for people to properly check the dealers work, even if it is not a part of the car that was worked on.

[blutopless2]

sad to hear of this. whenever we get work done by a dealer i go over the car before we leave - and not just where they have worked on the car.... bit anal i know but it saves the argument later as to who did the damage. My father in law had his car dented by a dealer (ford) and lucky we spotted it coz it was on the passenger side door and if he was on his own wouldn't have noticed till next time his wife got in and she may not have noticed at all... we went straight back into the service dept and complained, they came out to look and agreed that they had done it and would pay for the repairs. Mate at work also had his car dented (again by ford lol) and made them repair it as he spotted it before he left.
unfortunately its something that they try and get away with as after you leave its hard to prove who did it.

[sharkablue]

The dealer rep I spoke to said that there was no proof the dealer did the damage. And my argument back was that there is absolutely no need for me to pull boot lining out of my car. It was right next to where the dealer would
Have removed the rear brake light on the car, and it's the only logical thing that could have caused it.

When I collected the car from being repaired for the moister being in the brake light all I checked was the brake light and my body workpaint to make sure they didn't damage anything. I did not think to check
Boot interior plastic lining.

As I said, I'm talking to the manger to have the issue resolved. But was was beyond angry when I was told "you have no proof that we
Performed the damage" by the rep that answered the phone.

I clearly have absolutely no need to pull apart my boot lining, let alone anything in my car. Therefore if they broke apart of my car I expect they pay for it.

[Maverick]

The dealer rep I spoke to said that there was no proof the dealer did the damage. And my argument back was that there is absolutely no need for me to pull boot lining out of my car. It was right next to where the dealer would
Have removed the rear brake light on the car, and it's the only logical thing that could have caused it.

Except for the small fact that you don't have to touch the trim; you pull back the carpet, disconnect the harness, undo two nuts and swap over the tail light assembly.

As I said, I'm talking to the manger to have the issue resolved. But was was beyond angry when I was told "you have no proof that we Performed the damage" by the rep that answered the phone.

Three weeks have passed, what do you really expect them to say? They had no reason to touch that trim and you can't be sure when the damage occurred. The clips are easily damaged and it could have occurred during loading or unloading.

[Brendan_A]

The clips are easily damaged and it could have occurred during loading or unloading.

Only if it's really rough loading and unloading. Surely sharkblue would remember being that rough and would have heard it brake off and see the broken clip in the boot or garage.

[Maverick]

Only if it's really rough loading and unloading. Surely sharkblue would remember being that rough and would have heard it brake off and see the broken clip in the boot or garage.

True however it could also have been damaged during the assembly of the car and could have snapped with a small tap in that area.

As far as the dealer is concerned there is no reason why they would have touched that trim, whilst it's likely it was the guy that did the work it's going to be hard to convince the dealer at this stage (three weeks later) that they broke the trim. Same day or next day probably not a problem but it's unlikely they will wear it this late and keeping in mind they shouldn't have touched it.

[Brendan_A]

True however it could also have been damaged during the assembly of the car and could have snapped with a small tap in that area.

As far as the dealer is concerned there is no reason why they would have touched that trim, whilst it's likely it was the guy that did the work it's going to be hard to convince the dealer at this stage (three weeks later) that they broke the trim. Same day or next day probably not a problem but it's unlikely they will wear it this late and keeping in mind they shouldn't have touched it.

If the dealer wants to keep a good customer relationship they would just replace it under warranty. Like you said, it may have happened in the building process.

[jj77]

I know it sounds really fussy unnecessarily but I take pictures at the dealer's service before handing over my car.
This is my reason...

After getting the infamous bird chirps fixed, I noticed scratches all over the plastic part between the windshield and the bonnet. The service manager asked me a couple of times if I am sure it wasn't me who did it when washing the car. But he has agreed to replace the part when I get the first 15000k service done (which will be soon) - I really appreciate the service manager's good customer service and his kind offer to replace the part.

Since then, I always make sure I take photos when I have to leave my car at the dealer's service department.

J