Concerns Over GardX & Vehicle Prep

dark_knight005

Hi all,

Looking for some advice on whether this is worth escalating or if I should just let it go.

I recently bought a used car from an approved Mercedes-Benz main dealer. I had been speaking with them via email prior to viewing the vehicle and negotiated the deal remotely. I originally planned to buy the car outright with cash, but they wouldn’t move on the price — even getting them to round it down by £300 was a challenge.

Eventually, we agreed on a deal where, if I went through their finance, they would include:

2 additional years of warranty (on top of the standard 1 year)

GardX ceramic and interior protection

I then travelled 3 hours to view and collect the car last Sunday.

Now, while the car looked clean at first glance, on closer inspection after getting it home, several things stood out:

Dirt under the wheel arches

A dirty engine bay, with leaves and debris in the drainage areas under the bonnet

Some mud marks on the door panels inside the car

These things made the overall prep feel rushed and below the standard I would expect from a premium main dealer.

My main concern is around the GardX treatment.

After researching, I understand this should come with a certificate or proof of application, especially as it's normally a chargeable service. When I asked the dealership for confirmation, they told me that because it was included as part of the deal, they don't provide any documentation. So now I’ve got no proof it was applied, and based on how easily the car picked up dirt on the drive home, I’m starting to question whether it was done at all.

born_again

A 2nd hand car is never going to be spotless, especially in the area's you mention.

dark_knight005

born_again said:

A 2nd hand car is never going to be spotless, especially in the area's you mention.

Ye but I expect it to have been done to a professional standard. I could of done a better job myself looking at it now. It's a premium vehicle from a premium brand. I feel they could of cleaned it to a higher standard but maybe I am being picky.

MEM62

dark_knight005 said:

born_again said:

A 2nd hand car is never going to be spotless, especially in the area's you mention.

Ye but I expect it to have been done to a professional standard. I could of done a better job myself looking at it now. It's a premium vehicle from a premium brand. I feel they could of cleaned it to a higher standard but maybe I am being picky.

I do agree with you but the time to spot that was before you completed the purchase.  The dealer would have paid far more attention to you at that point.   

dark_knight005

MEM62 said:

dark_knight005 said:

born_again said:

A 2nd hand car is never going to be spotless, especially in the area's you mention.

Ye but I expect it to have been done to a professional standard. I could of done a better job myself looking at it now. It's a premium vehicle from a premium brand. I feel they could of cleaned it to a higher standard but maybe I am being picky.

I do agree with you but the time to spot that was before you completed the purchase.  The dealer would have paid far more attention to you at that point.   

Ye that's what I was thinking to be honest but only really thought about it and kind of annoyed me the day after haha. I mean i think they still should acknowledge me as I only took the finance deal out to get some extras off them, I can easily pay it off early without no full repayment charge which would probably result in them not getting the commission they were wanting from me taking it out (bit petty yes and probably spiting myself). So I might just put an email out don't think I will get any acknowledgement but just more that I would feel better getting it out to them. Any thoughts on the guard x stuff. Do you think I should do had something on an invoice? 

Barkin

dark_knight005 said:

MEM62 said:

dark_knight005 said:

born_again said:

A 2nd hand car is never going to be spotless, especially in the area's you mention.

Ye but I expect it to have been done to a professional standard. I could of done a better job myself looking at it now. It's a premium vehicle from a premium brand. I feel they could of cleaned it to a higher standard but maybe I am being picky.

I do agree with you but the time to spot that was before you completed the purchase.  The dealer would have paid far more attention to you at that point.   

Any thoughts on the guard x stuff. 

I'd only consider having it done if it was free...

dark_knight005

Barkin said:

dark_knight005 said:

MEM62 said:

dark_knight005 said:

born_again said:

A 2nd hand car is never going to be spotless, especially in the area's you mention.

Ye but I expect it to have been done to a professional standard. I could of done a better job myself looking at it now. It's a premium vehicle from a premium brand. I feel they could of cleaned it to a higher standard but maybe I am being picky.

I do agree with you but the time to spot that was before you completed the purchase.  The dealer would have paid far more attention to you at that point.   

Any thoughts on the guard x stuff. 

I'd only consider having it done if it was free...

Ah ok so not worth the paper it's written on then really. Was just annoyed that they said they be doing it in the deal but kind of like but we can't actually give you proof we done it. I will maybe email just to get it off my chest but probably not worth complaining too much about. I like the car and touch wood nothing wrong yet (2 days and counting haha)

born_again

GardX will have cost them £20 if that & about 20 mins to apply by the person that cleans their cars.

Grey_Critic

Why not put together a formal letter sent recorded Delivery FAO Dealer Princple outlining your concerns. Complaining that way does put them on the back foot as such a letter indicates you may be taking the matter further, possibly down the legal route so may prompt a proper response.

Sometimes making it formal gets results and emails do not have the same credibility - All it costs is a little time and a stamp

paul_c123

Grey_Critic said:

Why not put together a formal letter sent recorded Delivery FAO Dealer Princple outlining your concerns. Complaining that way does put them on the back foot as such a letter indicates you may be taking the matter further, possibly down the legal route so may prompt a proper response.

Sometimes making it formal gets results and emails do not have the same credibility - All it costs is a little time and a stamp

Is it a crime to sell a dirty car?

diveunderthebonnet

paul_c123 said:

Grey_Critic said:

Why not put together a formal letter sent recorded Delivery FAO Dealer Princple outlining your concerns. Complaining that way does put them on the back foot as such a letter indicates you may be taking the matter further, possibly down the legal route so may prompt a proper response.

Sometimes making it formal gets results and emails do not have the same credibility - All it costs is a little time and a stamp

Is it a crime to sell a dirty car?

Depends on what the person paid for it ,ok not a crime but if i paid a lot of money for a used car i would expect it valeted etc. also they have paid ( included free ) for some sort of external paint protection therefore i would expect to notice it or be given some paperwork saying it was applied.