Car Rejection

ToxicWomble

In the spirit of MSE - there is one in the North West with delivery (10) miles for £26k - saved you 6k and a long journey.
You're welcome 

5ikersh

AdrianC said:

Yes, it's a disappointment, and takes the gloss off an expensive new car. BUT... It's not actually a functional issue at all. It's a minor cosmetic one, which you were aware of before agreeing the exchange. Yes, the dealer promised to change the sticker... but have now found it's not available. Short- or long-term not available? We don't know.

When you say "a 695", I presume you mean the recent 70th Anniversario?
So we're only talking about a sticker on each door. It doesn't match to stickers on the wings. It doesn't colour-match to the arch and sill plastics. The only way anybody will tell one is non-genuine is if they can somehow compare the two opposite-side doors. Given that they've built just under 2,000 cars (1,949 - can you see what they did? Can you...?), I'd be surprised if they really weren't available as a replacement.
If Fiat really don't make replacement sticker sets available, then getting replacements laser-cut locally is the only option. Something like a third of all new cars have some bodywork rectification prior to delivery, because of transport damage. There's obviously quite a bit of logistics between the Polish factory and the UK dealership - train(s), export yard in Rotterdam, boat, import yard in Bristol, truck(s), perhaps storage yards.

So... Would you rather have this car with a mildly off-colour sticker? Or would you rather not have the car at all? Is the precise shade of the sticker THAT big a deal for you?

It's also worth remembering that you don't actually own the car. You're paying for the use of somebody else's car for the duration of the PCP, with the option of buying it from them at the end (or not doing so). If you decide to keep the car for the duration, then return it at the end, make sure you get an assurance that in the event the shade difference is noted, it's not an issue for the wear and tear assessment.

I understand your logic, but I’ve had A LOT of inconvenience with the two cars. With the initial damage to the first car where the dealer tried to blame it on me, then all of a sudden they decide to replace it?!?

I made the dealer aware of the stripe issue before collecting as they didn’t spot it (even though half of the strip was missing) and they said it would be replaced. However upon collection they said they had to get a ‘local graphics company’ to do it and they couldn’t match the colour, but they still tried to fix it anyway.

They promised they would get the replacement genuine part in stock, but it’s been 8 weeks now and they’ve said it’s unavailable from the manufacturer.

It is THAT big of a deal as I’ve already had the previous issues and this is an expensive car for what it is so I want it perfect. As you say yourself, it’s the finance companies (FCA’s) car as it’s on a PCP so in theory it should have all genuine parts fitted to it.

The colour match is important as I go to events with the car (one of the main reasons for purchasing) and it looks terrible turning up in a car with a different coloured stripe!

It’s very easy for you to comment as if it is nothing much, but paying all that money for a car that is unsatisfactory and having all the previous issues is in my personal opinion unacceptable.

All in all it’s been a nightmare few months with trying to get it sorted and I’ve had enough now. The dealer has had the opportunity to replace the car, and then I’ve also let them try and replace the side stripe (all in under 30 days) and they can’t rectify it so I’m left with no other option.

5ikersh

neilmcl said:

Have you tried speaking to Fiat customer services directly about this?

Yes, I’ve written to them and spoke via email. I chased them yesterday and they said they’ve JUST logged the complaint, even though I’ve spoken to them for weeks before! I’ve also opened up the case with Resolver.

AdrianC

5ikersh said:

All in all it’s been a nightmare few months with trying to get it sorted and I’ve had enough now. The dealer has had the opportunity to replace the car, and then I’ve also let them try and replace the side stripe (all in under 30 days) and they can’t rectify it so I’m left with no other option.

OK, so what's your next step, assuming they refuse the rejection?

You need to take the car to them, hand it over, and leave it with them.
You then issue a court case against the financier and the dealer. The amount you're claiming is the settlement value of the PCP, because that's the cheapest way out of your PCP. Is that more than £10k?

Of course, the court may not agree that it's sufficient grounds for rejection.

Mercdriver

5ikersh said:

neilmcl said:

Have you tried speaking to Fiat customer services directly about this?

Yes, I’ve written to them and spoke via email. I chased them yesterday and they said they’ve JUST logged the complaint, even though I’ve spoken to them for weeks before! I’ve also opened up the case with Resolver.

You do realise where Fiat Italy is based and what is happening there, don't you?  Clue the number 19 and lockdown.

5ikersh

Mercdriver said:

5ikersh said:

neilmcl said:

Have you tried speaking to Fiat customer services directly about this?

Yes, I’ve written to them and spoke via email. I chased them yesterday and they said they’ve JUST logged the complaint, even though I’ve spoken to them for weeks before! I’ve also opened up the case with Resolver.

You do realise where Fiat Italy is based and what is happening there, don't you?  Clue the number 19 and lockdown.

Yes I do and their Customer service is actually based in the UK. The initial complaint was way before what happened in Italy as well. No need to be sarcastic and rude when you don't know the full story....

societys_child

"I’ve also opened up the case with Resolver."

Resolver don't open cases, they don't get involved, they just send your email for you.

Mercdriver

5ikersh said:

Mercdriver said:

5ikersh said:

neilmcl said:

Have you tried speaking to Fiat customer services directly about this?

Yes, I’ve written to them and spoke via email. I chased them yesterday and they said they’ve JUST logged the complaint, even though I’ve spoken to them for weeks before! I’ve also opened up the case with Resolver.

You do realise where Fiat Italy is based and what is happening there, don't you?  Clue the number 19 and lockdown.

Yes I do and their Customer service is actually based in the UK. The initial complaint was way before what happened in Italy as well. No need to be sarcastic and rude when you don't know the full story....

Just because I say something you disagree with does not make it rude.  There was also no sarcasm at all.  

[Deleted User]

I think the moral of this story is to take extensive photos at collection, do a complete inspection of every millimetre of the car and make sure you get in writing that the dealer will fix any issues. If they refuse then reject the car.

Once they have your money many dealers lose interest and hope you will just get fed up and go away.

AdrianC

[DELETED USER] said:

I think the moral of this story is to take extensive photos at collection, do a complete inspection of every millimetre of the car and make sure you get in writing that the dealer will fix any issues. If they refuse then reject the car.

No, "The dealer didn't want to sign a completely unworkable random document I knocked up" is not grounds for rejection post-purchase. Do that BEFORE purchase, then don't buy if your demands aren't met.

And they'll be glad if you do walk, since it's a good warning that you're a loon who'll turn into a nightmare customer from hell.