Car Rejection

lcc86

Having worked in finance myself, I doubt they will accept the rejection of the car if the main point is to do with the sticker. I completely understand your point though having spent so much on a car. In answering your complaint they may well say that Covid-19 is one of the reasons the genuine sticker isn't available. That's not your fault but equally not theirs either, the dealer has handled it quite badly though. I would suggest they will offer to investigate the rattle (although might be tricky in the current climate what with non-essential travel) but don't think they will accept rejection as that's more likely to be for cars with serious mechanical defects (although you never know, you might get lucky). I understand your frustration re the amount of time that has passed but they will consider your complaint from when it was dated not from when they look at it. Hope you can get it resolved, it's a nice little car.

NBLondon

5ikersh said:

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!

This is what makes it more than just a cosmetic issue, isn't it?    Replacing both sides with a slightly different Abarth sticker from a different edition would be an acceptable solution for most people - better than having them mismatched.    But as you aren't going to any car shows for the foreseeable future - waiting for the dealer to get an authentic set from Italy is not unreasonable.

The rattle and possible mechanical issue is the thing to push.

AdrianC

NBLondon said:

5ikersh said:

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!

This is what makes it more than just a cosmetic issue, isn't it?

No, it IS just a cosmetic issue. It's just that, for the OP, cosmetics are more important than for most purchasers.

Replacing both sides with a slightly different Abarth sticker from a different edition would be an acceptable solution for most people - better than having them mismatched.    But as you aren't going to any car shows for the foreseeable future - waiting for the dealer to get an authentic set from Italy is not unreasonable.

AIUI, Fiat UK have told the OP that Italy cannot supply, either.

We still don't know quite how serious the colour mismatch is. If the mismatch is really obvious, then the sensible solution would be to replace both sides with matching (albeit aftermarket) stripes. But any half-decent vinyl supplier should be able to get a fairly close colour match, certainly close enough not to be obvious unless comparing close-up, which clearly isn't possible on one car.

NBLondon

AdrianC said:

No, it IS just a cosmetic issue. It's just that, for the OP, cosmetics are more important than for most purchasers.

If he's showing competitively - it's a potential eligibility issue.

[Deleted User]

AdrianC said:

[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.

Why would I work it up? I think most dealers have a basic grasp of English, enough to write a letter.

Anyway, that's the normal procedure when I pick up a car. They can either fix it on the spot or give a written promise to do it later. Never had to reject so far, they always either fix stuff or in one instance gave me a signed copy of the order form for the part with a note "to be fitted".