Car Drivers Seat Material Failure - Looking For Advice

RobCF

Hi All,

I'm looking for some advice on a problem that has developed on the seat of my car. I bought it brand new in November 2008. It's done just over 40,000 miles, and I'm the only person to drive the car 99% of the time. I'm 6'2", and average weight for my size.

The seat upholstery is a mix of fabric and leather-look vinyl. The vinyl is intentionally perforated in places to create a polka-dot style pattern. One of these places is the seat cushion bolsters to the sides of the seat base, and the sides of the seat back. On the drivers seat base, one of these bolsters has cracked and split in several places. Due to the perforations, it cannot be repaired. I've had a quote for a replacement seat cushion at almost £300. An upholstery specialist told me that the perforations have made the area weak, and that the failure was inevitable and will get worse.

Whilst I accept that car seats are subject to general wear and tear, and the bolsters take a lot of punishment, am I being unreasonable in expecting the seat to last a lot longer than 5.5 years and 40,000 miles?
I was considering complaining on the grounds that the material is not fit for purpose, but who do I complain to? The manufacturer or the dealer that I bought it from? The dealer no longer represents this brand.

forgotmyname

After 5.5 years and 40,000 miles i doubt you will get anywhere.

If the car has been serviced by the same dealer from new and you drew their attention to it when it started to split they may offer a goodwill gesture.

But i wouldnt hold my breath on it. Get a 2nd hand seat from a breakers.

shaun_from_Africa

It might be worth contacting the retailer and the manufacturer to explain the problem to see what they say, but I wouldn't hold out too much hope.

You could always ask them if they would be willing to sell you a replacement cushion at cost price rather that the normal retail price, but again, they will probably refuse this request.

Remember though, a polite letter often gets a much better result than the "I know my rights" type of communication.

Stoke

It just sounds like standard wear and tear. Part of the reason I prefer fabric to leather/pleather is it seems to last much longer, although it depends if you have a buckle rubbing against the bolster.

Instead of getting a new cushion, consider buying the same seat second hand from eBay or a scrapyard. I bet you'd pay, half, even a quarter than what you've been quoted.