Should I have dealer fix damage done on lot new?

Dan P. · Sep 13, 2009

This has bugged me ever since I bought my BULLITT last October. I saw that there was a dent in the front bumper and a small chip in the rear bumper. It was done while it was on the lot before I bought it. I did not see it when I bought the car.

I just wanted to see what you guys thought. Should I take the car back and have them repair the bumpers or should I just live with it?

Dan

40th GT · Sep 14, 2009

I had a similar problem with a Nissan that I purchased a while back - damage that was done on the lot prior to purchase that I just couldn't see at the time of delivery.
The dealership told me it was "owner incurred damage" and that they're not responsible for it.
Let's hope your local Ford dealer has better customer service than Nissan's.

oh9mustang · Sep 14, 2009

You have to look at it from the dealers side. You took delivery and said nothing, (because you didn't notice it) and then ask the dealer to fix something that you may or may not have done, The dealer doesn't know.
A good lesson for anyone buying a new car, Don't just get in and drive off. Walk around it very slowly and look very close, point out any defect to the salesman, and get his name. Every new car I have purchased had a check off list and what they called a walk around. I signed it before driving off, It would be on me if I came back the next day and pointed out a bad spot.

J.Cagle · Sep 14, 2009

That is more than likely from it being pulled right up against another vehicle when shipped. You be suprised at the number of vehicles that have those exact same little indentions. As for painting, I would live with it, and get some ford touch up paint for the back. There is nothing better than the factory finish. If you have those places repaired your bumpers will have aftermarket clearcoat over the entire panel. Which, in the long run, may not last near as long as the factory finish.

Mpov · Sep 14, 2009

J.Cagle said:
That is more than likely from it being pulled right up against another vehicle when shipped. You be suprised at the number of vehicles that have those exact same little indentions. As for painting, I would live with it, and get some ford touch up paint for the back. There is nothing better than the factory finish. If you have those places repaired your bumpers will have aftermarket clearcoat over the entire panel. Which, in the long run, may not last near as long as the factory finish.

+1 on that. In addition, the dealer may well screw it up and make the problem worse than it is now. My car has a bit of overspray on the driver's side door and I have decided to just live with it.

J.Cagle · Sep 14, 2009

Mpov said:
+1 on that. In addition, the dealer may well screw it up and make the problem worse than it is now. My car has a bit of overspray on the driver's side door and I have decided to just live with it.

Over spray should come right off. Where is it at on the door?

Mpov · Sep 14, 2009

J.Cagle said:
Over spray should come right off. Where is it at on the door?

Maybe "overspray" was the wrong word. It is more of a paint defect. Right on the edge of the driver's side door, about where the handle is, it looks almost like a bit of tape or something is stuck on, but it won't peel off. I assume when they were painting the side panel of the door (the part that closes into the car) some of that paint leaked onto the edge. If there is some way to remove it without damaging the paint I would love to hear it.

J.Cagle · Sep 14, 2009

Mpov said:
Maybe "overspray" was the wrong word. It is more of a paint defect. Right on the edge of the driver's side door, about where the handle is, it looks almost like a bit of tape or something is stuck on, but it won't peel off. I assume when they were painting the side panel of the door (the part that closes into the car) some of that paint leaked onto the edge. If there is some way to remove it without damaging the paint I would love to hear it.

Post up a pic if you can. I may be able to give ya an idea or two on how to fix it.

darien87 · Sep 14, 2009

Unfortunately, since you left the dealership without notifying them, you're probably screwed. When I bought my 07 used, the Roush wing was loose. Luckily I noticed that and told them to fix it. But before I could bring it back to get it fixed, I noticed that there was a weird "ripple" in the clearcoat on the pillar on the right side of the back window. I bought the car at night, so I didn't see it. (I should have made sure to hold off until I could see the car during the day).

When I asked them to fix this as well, they told me that they couldn't be sure if it was already there or not. But when I had my car at the body shop that the dealer had me go to, I had them sand out the ripple anyway.

walter · Sep 14, 2009

All I can tell you is that if you use the car for any type of Daily Driving you're going to incur a lot more damage then that before it's all said and done. I'm sorry this happened but i shadow the sentiment that if the dealer refuses they're not in the wrong especially if you didn't say anything as soon as you noticed it.

Good Luck

stangdude2000 · Sep 14, 2009

I'd be surprised if any dealer would be willing to fix something on a car that you've had for at minimum two weeks if you had never previously pointed it out. If you take delivery in the evening, most will be nice enough to allow you to call them the next day if you find a defect in better lighting, but even then not always.

The Fang · Sep 14, 2009

Mine had a....has a spot on the hood that looks like a drop of swet or condensation and didnt notice it until two weeks after I bought it. I walked around it and carefully looked it over and missed it.

stangdude2000 said:
I'd be surprised if any dealer would be willing to fix something on a car that you've had for at minimum two weeks if you had never previously pointed it out. If you take delivery in the evening, most will be nice enough to allow you to call them the next day if you find a defect in better lighting, but even then not always.

He said last October!

stangdude2000 · Sep 15, 2009

Ha, I read last October, but for some reason I thought that was last month... I think I need to go back to school or something. That makes it even worse... no dealer will fix something on a car you bought a year ago!

stanmckinney · Sep 15, 2009

You are likely out of luck. I always look a vehicle over, even a new one. And I have found many items for them to fix.

bluecar · Sep 15, 2009

First of all, I'm awfully sorry to hear this thing has been bugging you. It would bug me too, that spot being right smack dab in the middle! However, if you went to the dealer they will probably ask you why it took so long to bring it to their attention.

If it were mine, its kinda iffy whether I'd notice something like that before or slightly after delivery. I look at obvious big things like sheet metal gap.

My bumpers are quite the shame having been scraped on curbs and having cars slam their way out in tight parallel parking situations.... but that's another topic.

imfamousjim · Sep 16, 2009

yeah I'm sorry to beat a dead horse... but dude, you've had the car for just about a year... I'm very surprised you don't have any more damage (unless she's a garage trophy). A dealer will only give you about 2 or 3 days before they say it's you (which to me is generous)

as far as the paint problems you other guys were talking about, most of that sounds like it can be cleaned up by buffing.
also, for aftermarket clearcoats not being as good as oem? you've never noticed orange peel on your paint? properly painted and buffed aftermarket paint is worlds better than factory stuff. and will last fine as long as properly prepped.

Dan P. · Oct 22, 2009

UPDATE:

I took the car and the photos that I had from when the car was new and showed them to the sales manager. He said that they would fix the damage at no charge. So last Monday I took the BULLITT back and their guy fixed the damage and another small spot on the front. Turned out well, they want me to bring the car back so they can wet sand and buff the repair. I am happy with what they did, the only thing is there is some junk in the clear but I hope that the sanding and buff will take care of that.
Also a drawing I have been working on.......... I really like BULLITT

Dan

J.Cagle · Oct 23, 2009

Id say those dirt chunks should sand and buff out, but inspect if very close when you pic it up for dull spots, and burn thru on the edges. Bumpers are a pain to buff.

Marine One · Oct 23, 2009

I have exactly the same spot on the back bumper of my car. I fixed it with some touch up paint.

Should I have dealer fix damage done on lot new?

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