Hello all

Around 15 months ago I bought a 3 year Old Ford focus Vignale from my main Ford dealer and pointed out when I collected it that the paintwork looked as if it may of been resprayed on the rear passenger wheel arch but I was assured that this wasn’t the case. Anyway to cut a long story short in recent months the paint has started to go bumpy and fade along with the lacquer peeling on the bottom of the rear passenger door, I have contacted the dealer who has been absolutely useless and told me “if I wanted it to be perfect I should’ve bought a new one”. I have taken it up with customer relations who refuse to pay out or contribute to the cost of repairs and I’m really angry as this previous repair has also invalidated my corrosion warranty because it wasn’t repaired by Ford had I of known that I wouldn’t of bought the car I don’t know what to do next should I persist in fighting customer relations or just accept the situation and pay the bill myself, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Cameron 

Buy a vcheck report 4.99£, HPI does not include salvage repaired vehicles. COULD possibly be unrecorded damage. 

 

https://www.vcheck.uk/

40 minutes ago, Vignale Focus said:

 have contacted the dealer who has been absolutely useless and told me “if I wanted it to be perfect I should’ve bought a new one”.

This seems to be the standard response unfortunately.  Not just Ford, other big brand dealers as well, and major car sales supermarkets.

Incredibly frustrating, especially on a sub 3 year old car.

I don't think you'll get anywhere with it, though there's no harm in trying if you're mentally up to it. 

In the last couple of years I've returned one 2 year old car due to poor condition, but had to accept the poor repair(s) on the next one.

Sounds to me like it hasn’t lasted a reasonable amount of time. I’d argue you could pursue this under the Consumer rights act. 

Thank you all for your advice I’ve been looking into the consumer rights act and trade descriptions act and they appear to be in violation of a number of sections so I think I’m now going to involve the motor ombudsman in hope of some support, but it is increasingly frustrating that I should be faced with a bill of £1017 to repair the paintwork on a car which I was sold under the impression that it was in tip top condition and was even reassured that the car had never been repaired before by the used cars sales manager. I’m prepared to battle with them and take it to a small claims court if needs be. I’ll have a look at that HPI check because when I raised the issue the day I collected it they ran a history check on it and all came back okay but I’m not sure how in-depth it was.

12 hours ago, Vignale Focus said:

should be faced with a bill of £1017 to repair the paintwork 

That seems a hell of a lot of money! I clouted our rear wheel arch with a garden gate, made a right mess, went to one garage I know and knew they did excellent work, cost me £365 all in and that has to be well over 9 years ago now, still highly polished and you can't even tell.

12 hours ago, Vignale Focus said:

Thank you all for your advice I’ve been looking into the consumer rights act and trade descriptions act and they appear to be in violation of a number of sections so I think I’m now going to involve the motor ombudsman in hope of some support, but it is increasingly frustrating that I should be faced with a bill of £1017 to repair the paintwork on a car which I was sold under the impression that it was in tip top condition and was even reassured that the car had never been repaired before by the used cars sales manager. I’m prepared to battle with them and take it to a small claims court if needs be. I’ll have a look at that HPI check because when I raised the issue the day I collected it they ran a history check on it and all came back okay but I’m not sure how in-depth it was.

It will almost certainly be HPI clear if it came from a dealer.  But all that means is it hasn't gone through insurance.  People get paint repaired away from insurance all the time.  Either the individual to get a better trade in price.  Or the dealership during the 'approved used' prep.  The salesman won't have a clue, so they'll probably get away with pleading ignorance on a throw-away comment.

Please do keep us updated whatever happens with this though, as it seems to be common now than it used to be, unless I've just become more aware of it in recent years.

 

23 minutes ago, Ian Lanc said:

cost me £365 all in and that has to be well over 9 years ago now

If only prices had remained the same for the last decade!

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

If only prices had remained the same for the last decade!

Ah your right there, but my Son took his car to the same painter, did the driverside wing & door, lovely job and the cost was £490, that was just two years ago.

On 6/14/2023 at 11:04 AM, Ian Lanc said:

That seems a hell of a lot of money! I clouted our rear wheel arch with a garden gate, made a right mess, went to one garage I know and knew they did excellent work, cost me £365 all in and that has to be well over 9 years ago now, still highly polished and you can't even tell.

Hi sorry for late response, It was a quote from the main dealer they suggested it would need blending into the entire left side of the car I was shocked myself by the expense 

On 6/14/2023 at 11:31 AM, TomsFocus said:

It will almost certainly be HPI clear if it came from a dealer.  But all that means is it hasn't gone through insurance.  People get paint repaired away from insurance all the time.  Either the individual to get a better trade in price.  Or the dealership during the 'approved used' prep.  The salesman won't have a clue, so they'll probably get away with pleading ignorance on a throw-away comment.

Please do keep us updated whatever happens with this though, as it seems to be common now than it used to be, unless I've just become more aware of it in recent years.

 

If only prices had remained the same for the last decade!

I got back in touch with customer relations who have told me they will no longer assist me with this complaint so have taken it up with the motor ombudsman, even if it gets nowhere at least I can say that I’ve tried I guess 

Got similar issue with my Hyundai. Bought used last Oct but only recently noticed the lacquer has started to peel/Bubble on the bottom of both o/s doors. Contacted the dealer I bought it off and they knew nothing of any repair. No intention to get it looked at.  So maybe there either not telling the truth or may have had a repair by leasing company owner before me. 

I was a quality repair at the time as I didn't notice it . 

Our body shop at work could see both doors were repainted . They going to do a proper job for me when they have time( hopefully for free) 

1 hour ago, iantt said:

Got similar issue with my Hyundai. Bought used last Oct but only recently noticed the lacquer has started to peel/Bubble on the bottom of both o/s doors. Contacted the dealer I bought it off and they knew nothing of any repair. No intention to get it looked at.  So maybe there either not telling the truth or may have had a repair by leasing company owner before me. 

I was a quality repair at the time as I didn't notice it . 

Our body shop at work could see both doors were repainted . They going to do a proper job for me when they have time( hopefully for free) 

These issues seem to be all too common with dealer bought cars, my dealer is known to be poor as far as used car sales numerous friends and colleagues who have had Fords from there including new ones have said they'd never buy another from them again, i wish id of known sooner.

17 hours ago, Vignale Focus said:

the motor ombudsman

 NB despite the official sounding title this is not government backed and is funded by the motor trade. No personal experience of it but I've seen some fairly negative reviews (for what they're worth!) eg:

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.themotorombudsman.org

As it seems this dealer has "form" I wonder if a word with Local Trading Standards might be worthwhile?

On 6/19/2023 at 11:02 AM, Eric Bloodaxe said:

 NB despite the official sounding title this is not government backed and is funded by the motor trade. No personal experience of it but I've seen some fairly negative reviews (for what they're worth!) eg:

https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.themotorombudsman.org

As it seems this dealer has "form" I wonder if a word with Local Trading Standards might be worthwhile?

Hi there thanks for bringing this to my attention I will look closer into this I have heard very mixed reviews about the motor ombudsman and their services as well but thought it was worth a try.