Cracked Windscreen (complicated case) - Help?

nullogik

This ain't a straightforward cracked windscreen case, so I've got to weave a bit of a story to give you all some background.

Three weeks ago I purchased a secondhand car of a private individual. The car was perfect and so far I'm happy with it.

Whilst looking around the car, the previous owner mentioned that he had a new windscreen put in it through his insurance because of a stone chip. He had it fitted no more than about 6 months ago.

Now I went out today to my car and shock, horror :eek: there is a crack in the windscreen starting right at the top edge and coming about 6 inches down. Its not a stone chip or any damage caused by a passing car simply because of the position and nature of the crack. Unfortunatly it is on the drivers side and in the "line of vision".

Looking at the installation is appears to be a very shoddy job. Where the screen has cracked, there is a large amount of black stuff (which I guess they use to stick the glass to the car) and its been applied messly. However, along the rest of the windshield the "black stuff" has been applied very economically such that and you can't see it. From what I can deduce, the black stuff has been unevenly applied (practically a big splodge) to one side of the windshield (the cracked) side, which has stressed the glass and as a result it has cracked. Moreover, the plastic cowl by the wiper was cracked by the glass installer (I have no proof, but its so awkard to get at, it must have been done by the window installer) and the rubber seal along the side is uneven. Also along the bottom of the window there is a lack of putty on the lower edge of the window so much so you could stick a key in there.

The question(s) is:

Now, I feel that I should NOT have to pay for a new windshield because the job was done poorly, through no fault of my own - why should I? :mad:

I'm in the process of finding out who was the company that installed it, do you think I am write to demand that they come out and re-do the job after all there must be some kind of guarentee on it?

There are probably going to wriggle out of it saying the guarentee becomes void when the car is sold on, but what kind of excuse is that? Irrespective of who owns a car, a windshield should be properly installed and should last longer than six months - after all it could well have broken on the new owner. Besides, since getting it three weeks ago its been largely stationery (its only done about 20 miles).

What shall I do? If they play hard, could I take them to a small claims court? Shoddy workmanship, is shoddy workmanship, and I don't see why I should have to fork out for a new windscreen when the cause of the current fault is down to the installation.

Please help?

Thanks in advance.

nullogik

Addendum:

I forgot to mention that I'm a new driver and my insurance doesn't cover windscreen damage. Even so, having just taken out my first ever policy (three weeks ago) I don't think the insurance company would be chuffed if I put in a claim and it would sure to influence any future premiums that do get.

New_Collier

The first thing to do is to get all the detail of who fitted / dates / insurance co etc from the person who sold you the car. Then approach the fitting company, nicely and reasonably, as if you expect them to sort it out. If it was done via insurance it was probably fitted by one of the big companies and if the job is as shoddy as decribed - they have a reputation at stake. Some years ago on insurance - i had a windscreen fitted that didnt match the rest of my car glass - it was a few weeks before i noticed it - but the company sorted it out almost without question, i think they do such volume it's neither here nor there to them
Good luck.

nullogik

Thanks New Collier, the previous owner getting me the details on who fitted it. I think it was a local company and not one of these big nationwide jobbies - but its speculation at the moment.

On principle, I feel that I should not have to fork out a penny for a new windscreen after all it might cost me something like £300! All for something that was absolutly not my fault.

derrick

Might be better, if he is OK with it, to ask the previous owner to go back with you, as unless the guarantee is transferable, the windscreen company could just say as original purchaser does not now own the vehicle they have no liability.

Wig

nullogik wrote: »

through no fault of my own - why should I? :mad:

Because it's your car.

They are probably going to wriggle out of it saying the guarentee becomes void when the car is sold on,

Which is correct.

but what kind of excuse is that?

A legal one.

What shall I do?

Ask them for a free replacement, but don't hold your breath, then get a new one. As Derrick said, the best person to do this would be the guy who sold you the car, ask him to go back with you and pretend he is still the owner.

I've never heard of an insurance policy without windscreen cover (except ofcourse Third Party Only), it's usually an excess of £50 and it will not affect your premium or your no claims.

What Insurance company are you with and what level of cover have you got?

If they play hard, could I take them to a small claims court?

No, because I don't think you have any legal claim over them, as you were not their customer.

steveo3002

how do you know it cracked because of shoddy fitting? cant see how sloppy sealer would cause the screen to crack

something couldve hit it overnight..doesnt have to have a stonechip to cause a crack

Conor_3

steveo3002 wrote: »

how do you know it cracked because of shoddy fitting? cant see how sloppy sealer would cause the screen to crack

If there's been a large dollop in one spot, it can create a pressure point. As the car expands and contracts during the day and night, the screen will flex on this point and eventually it can go as it has done.

steveo3002

cant see it myself...the sealant /glue is caulked on then the screen would push any excess out the edges...not ideal looks wise but imo its just that a mess . the wieght of the glass would make sure its a even thickness all the way round

only time ive seen probs with badly fitted glass is sometimes they leak if the fitter misses a blob

anyway...id just suck it up and replace it, you cant dredge up the past service history and keep moaning about stuff the previous owner had done

nullogik

Conor wrote: »

If there's been a large dollop in one spot, it can create a pressure point. As the car expands and contracts during the day and night, the screen will flex on this point and eventually it can go as it has done.

Thanks Conor, you've confirmed exactly what I've thought.

The crack starts right at the edge of the sheet of the glass and starts exactly in the middle of where the large dollop of sealant is.

I've spoken to the company who replaced it (RAC) and they've mentioned that the warranty is transferable, all I need now is a receipt or some documentation proving that it had been done, which I am in the process of doing.

Thanks to all who have replied.

vikingaero

I would double check very carefully along the line of the crack. My mums car ended up with a cracked windscreen with no visible damage. It was only when the Autoglass fitter pointed out a pin-p r i c k impact point that we realised it was stone damage.