New car came without DAB radio but should've had it

munka

Hi,
Just looking for some advice and general opinion. Bought a brand new car which was supposed to have a DAB digital radio. This was actually one of a list of three items we wanted, namely the DAB, Bluetooth and reversing sensors.

Took delivery three weeks ago and the radio doesn't have DAB. I reported it within three days and called into the dealer on the 6th day when they had a look and said they would talk to an expert and get back to me. I've had one email since advising they are working on it, but that was a week ago and I know they are just hoping I will forget about it and go away.

I realise I have 30 days to reject the car, but ideally I do want to push them into providing what was supposed to be a feature of the car. I'll write them a full letter this weekend but just wanted to get thoughts.

Appreciate any input! Thanks very much

Silver-Surfer_2

Have you either paid extra for the dab or is it listed on the spec/contract it will have dab?

tacpot12

If you can reject it now, I would do so, and state that the reason for rejection is the missing DAB Radio. I wouldn't accept any offer or substitute. The dealer could faff around for months waiting for the right radio to come into stock.

Ant555

I would definitely write to get things on the record but my experience with main dealers is that you have to go and see them (as you have already done once)

For me, phoning over a problem brought all sorts of promises and excuses that never came to pass but I went in and politely asked them the same questions and pushed with questions like "what is the name of the person you need to speak to", "when are you going to do that", "can I wait whilst you make that call", "what is your name" , "when will that happen", "i'll be back in tomorrow if I have not heard from you" etc.etc. - all of the time letting them see I was writing everything down.

Its hard as some of them have a fantastic knack of instantly becoming your very best friend, saying all the right things and have some sort of Jedi power that make you believe everything they say.

Fingers crossed the radio is simply a swap out however, depending on the model, it might need a DAB aerial upgrade too.
I would check that what you are going to end up with is the factory fitted DAB radio that you ordered and not an after market upgrade.

What make and model of car is it?

munka

Thanks for the quick replies. It's a Renault Clio. We went for the dynamic s model because it has these particular features as standard, so yes it is listed in all brochures as including DAB.

I envisage handing the car back with a letter of rejection as I don't think they can change or upgrade anything and yes, I definitely don't want some aftermarket mash up! It's an integrated touch screen with all the features so can't see how any upgrade will work.

daveyjp

You may be a victim of specification change.

A new car to you may not be so new and you may have taken delivery of a car built in late 2015 or very early 2016 which was built to last years spec and not the spec in the new brochure. The latest brochure has an effective date of 1 April 2016.

Look all over the car for any production or inspection stickers. Under bonnet, boot under carpet around spare wheel well etc. which could reveal the date it was built.

Check the year of manufacture. Its the 10th digit on the VIN, more info below.

http://vindecoder.eu/renault

munka

Thanks. I'll check first thing in the morning, although the brochure that I have was given to me at Christmas and the car was bought / agreed at the start of March.

s_b

why cant they get the audio system from another clio and code it in via clip if its their !!!! up on the ordering front
i think they are dragging their feet too
go in tell them reiterate you bought the car because of dab
consider contacting renault uk

neilmcl

TBH, the only time I use DAB in my car was for the ashes coverage on TMS and the odd Radio 5 Live football. The local traffic alerting (TP) is rubbish with DAB, it never connects to any regional stations just the national Classic FM traffic alerts.

I suppose it depends what you want it for but for me DAB is no great loss and imho a good FM signal still sounds better anyway.

marlot

This article suggests that it's a recent standard fitment?

http://www.parkers.co.uk/company-cars/news-and-advice/latest-news/2015/november/clio-and-captur/

Gloomendoom

neilmcl wrote: »

TBH, the only time I use DAB in my car was for the ashes coverage on TMS and the odd Radio 5 Live football. The local traffic alerting (TP) is rubbish with DAB, it never connects to any regional stations just the national Classic FM traffic alerts.

I suppose it depends what you want it for but for me DAB is no great loss and imho a good FM signal still sounds better anyway.

I installed DAB in both mine and my wife's car because we like to listen to Planet Rock which is now unavailable on FM.

Mind you, since the recent "Big Detune", Planet Rock isn't widely available on DAB any more either.

I'd agree that FM is superior to DAB most of the time. At least FM is in stereo.