Before I got my 2010 Prius, there was a blemish on the bumper that needed to be fixed. I got the car new. We made an appointment to fix the bumper at some later time. They were also to do some detailing/cleaning. When I got the car back I saw a bunch of scratches all over the place. These aren't just minor single scratches either. All the scratches come in pairs or triplets. It's as if the detailer or service guy was wearing a hammer/tool belt around waist and was getting in and out of my car. Not cool. I told the person who sold me my car right away. He agreed to fix them. There are two long deep scratches along the front passenger door. Two scratches on the driver side's door latch. Three scratches on my headlight lense. And a bunch of smaller scratches all over the place. I feel the dealership should be replacing all these parts because buffing and replacing the scratches with swirls and grinded down bald spots isn't gonna cut it.
Make sure you get things in writing - with the damage in question detailed in photographs. Otherwise, they will most likely take you for a ride.
Yeah. I sent the manager of the dealership a detailed email of the damages. I will be archiving the email. Salesman personally saw the most damaged portion of the car (the front passenger's side door). I took pictures too. This is the second car I bought from the dealership so they better know I am serious.
Almost all of them will agree to repair but go the cheapest route. My Mustang was once damaged while being serviced and they insisted on using body filler. I refused, but that became moot later as it got into an accident.
what a cheap car dealership lol. what was the damage? My damage is relatively minor but still. I'm supposed to be making these damages not the dealership. Let alone the detailers.
It was at the dealer for about a week getting a new engine (right before the warranty expired at 60k, thankfully) and I got it back with a crack in the left fender. Probably from careless parking or moving around during that time. I was lucky that the accident smashed up that area instead. If the scratches aren't deep and can be buffed out, I'd go for that route. It's better to preserve the original paint whenever possible.
My opinion is to NEVER let the dealer wash or detail your car. They tend to use very cheap products and are trying to get cars turned around as fast as possible. They are not in it for return business like a normal detailer.
Replacing the parts wouldn't make any sense. Body parts come unpainted, they would have to be painted to match your car, and the parts you have can be refinished to the same condition. Can you feel the scratches with your fingernail?
Why did you accept delivery of the car? I would (and did) decline to accept the car until it was fixed to my satisfaction. While it is on their lot & they own it it is still their problem and they have an incentive to get it fixed right and fast. If their body shop is good (and it should be) you won't even know the car was damaged. I doubt you'll be able to get new body panels.
The scratches aren't on the exterior paint of the car. The scratches are inside the car on the plastics. I already took the car back to fix the damage on the bumper one time. The scratches were newly discovered after they fixed the bumper. The scratches seemed like a quicker fix at the time compared to the bumper. What do you mean they own it? I already bought the car... I kind of get where you're coming from though. The damage is in the interior of the car. Like the culprit was sitting in my car with a hammer on his waist, cleaning and "detailing" my car. I can feel/catch most of the scratches with my fingernail. The worst scratches are the two on my front passenger's door. Two very long parallel scratches by the power window switch. I don't get how someone can be so negligent on a brand new car.
Finally, someone caught the "replace" problem. Without a question, replacing parts and matching paint may open a whole new can of repair worms. I definitely would let the dealer try to buff out and/or touch up. By the way, I would FYI your dealer's Toyota service rep. You never know what support you might get. Happy Motoring, Tom
The interior panel is textured. Unless you buff out the whole panel it's gonna look wack. All sides would then have to be buffed as well. Buffing it out would take a lot more work and probably cause more damage while doing it.
I thought you meant scratches on the exterior paint. Yes, they should definitely be replaced and it's easy enough to do it. What exactly did the dealer want to do as they can't be easily repaired?
The dealership agreed to fix it but the situation is kind of lagging right now. There's also scratches on the left headlight lens and the driver side interior door handle/latch that need to be replaced/fixed. I'm guessing they want to buff everything out lol.
You're absolutely right, the OP should of never accepted delivery of the vehicle until it was in pristine shape. Accept delivery, on the vehicle YOU want...not a vehicle they promise you it will become. But...people have varying degrees of experience dealing with salespeople and dealerships. They are "mostly" evil. They are good at making YOU feel like you're being unreasonable, and/or making even something as major as scratches and bodywork seem like it's just "normal"... There is a car buying "Ether" state that many buyers fall into, and dealerships/salespeople take advantage. I hope the OP can work it out. I hope the dealership is supportive and eventually make's it all right. I'd recommend just working through the dealership...they get the chance to make it right...and hopefully you will ultimately have no reason to escalate anything beyond that level. I would also recommend extensive documentation of any promises made, any and all damage existing and created...signed statements and pictures....in case things are NOT resolved to your satisfaction. Because the next esculation would be working through Toyota Customer Service....and then perhaps (lightening strike)...a Lawyer. Take it one step at a time and hope for the best. Scratches can be repaired, panels replaced...and hopefully it will all be done to your satisfaction.
I totally agree with everything you've said. I figure I'm supposed to make these scratches. I might want to sell the car and these stupid scratches aren't gonna help with the value/sale. What ticks me off is that the dealership only spent a few hours with my car and does damage that I would of done in a year. I'm definitely gonna be following through.
