Discussion: Pre-delivery re-paint inspection

[Sayyaaf]

Hey eFriends,

Yesterday I was discussing with my buddy sea-courier stuff as I was thinking of sending my car to RUF and get it converted. Long story short, we then discussed how each dealer have their cars inspected pre-delivery for dings and dents and usually there are some. So paintless repairs are enormous to the point the each dealer has their own "dentmasters" in their workshops.

I was thinking they would go for repaint in some cases as I have seen cars in the showroom floor & I swear that those panel paints aren't matching but I assumed it was the lighteing, which could be the case.

Is it far too anal to go for paint-depth probes before receiving your new purchase ?

Dignified dealers would offer those heavily repainted cars at huge rebates, but no one mention a repaint. But no one does in my region.

What do you think guys ?

 

[Monster]

Aren't there laws which require the dealer to disclose any damages received by the car between the time it left the factory to the customer receiving delivery, as far as I am aware, we have such laws in Australia.

 

[Sayyaaf]

We have one. But dealers dont bother.

 

[Monster]

We have one. But dealers dont bother.

I suppose your country needs a tougher enforcement agency to deal with these problems. You are paying good money for a brand new, undamaged car, as well as the transportation and the insurance during transportation, so there is no way a customer should allow these dealers to get away with it.

 

[Sayyaaf]

I suppose your country needs a tougher enforcement agency to deal with these problems. You are paying good money for a brand new, undamaged car, as well as the transportation and the insurance during transportation, so there is no way a customer should allow these dealers to get away with it.

Tracing is quite a measure itself. we have consumer rights agency and they laid down some laws, didn't help. Dealers increase prices redicioulsly every year without proper justification other than: new MY, Demand n Supply, exchange rates ... etc etc.

Question remains, would you do it ? I mean forget the law, do you trust that every car sold has factory paint ? how would you know with only visible checks ?

I think I am going to. Its a little far pushed but dealers don't treat us well here.

 

[Giannis]

I share your feelings Sayyaaf mate, but on the other hand, I don't buy cars so frequently

If you are pretty anal, a paint depth measuring gauge/ reader doesn't cost that much. You can also inspect some screws and bolts which are supposed to be slightly deform the first time they are unscrewed, as to be a reason to void a warranty. There are many ways (other than good eye) to see that something has been repainted.

 

[Sayyaaf]

As always, @Giannis very useful tips.

It has nothing to do with the frequency we buy cars but the routine itself. When the time comes and you buy your childhoon (yeah u read it right, hoon not hood ) dream car. I've seen many are shocked by their expectations Vs reality. Paint is one of them of course. Body/chassis stiffness is another thing. From what I read at forms, customers has very low tolerance to interior rattles in luxury cars.

Thanks man.

 

[Giannis]

customers has very low tolerance to interior rattles in luxury cars.

Ah, you touched a very sensitive nerve here, mate. Rattles is the only thing that can drive me crazy in a car, and mind you, I can tolerate almost anything!

I have located two sources of rattles in my S60, fixed the first, thinking about what to do with the latter. I suspect that had I not been a hooligan with potholes, I would not have these rattles. But the situation with the Clio is way over the limit. I struggle to find more than 10 parts that don't rattle. Over the years, I must have disassembled parts of the interior over 60-70 times in order to locate and fix rattles.

There was a point in 2012, I believe, that this was the Sunday morning ritual. Wake up, make coffee, locate toolbox, go downstairs, put some music and start fiddling around. While I continue to have next to zero patience for such annoying rattles, I either struggle to find some free time for this, and when I do, I usually have a ton of things to catch up with. I've been postponing the disassemblance of my rear left door for two months now. Maybe I should go downstairs now...

 

[Sayyaaf]

Ah, you touched a very sensitive nerve here, mate. Rattles is the only thing that can drive me crazy in a car, and mind you, I can tolerate almost anything!

I have located two sources of rattles in my S60, fixed the first, thinking about what to do with the latter. I suspect that had I not been a hooligan with potholes, I would not have these rattles. But the situation with the Clio is way over the limit. I struggle to find more than 10 parts that don't rattle. Over the years, I must have disassembled parts of the interior over 60-70 times in order to locate and fix rattles.

There was a point in 2012, I believe, that this was the Sunday morning ritual. Wake up, make coffee, locate toolbox, go downstairs, put some music and start fiddling around. While I continue to have next to zero patience for such annoying rattles, I either struggle to find some free time for this, and when I do, I usually have a ton of things to catch up with. I've been postponing the disassemblance of my rear left door for two months now. Maybe I should go downstairs now...

Brace it. Brace Brace Brace and keep Bracing

 

[Wunderkind]

No car dealer would admit it.

What I hate even more than scratches on the panel is scratches on the windshield!! You can't get them out.