Car serviced but wasn't
Discussion
Hello fellow PHers. I'm after some advice. I purchased an approved used car from a main dealer last March. It was a dream car of mine to own and like most of us I was really happy to buy it and it is my pride and joy. It had 57k
Due to problem with something the actual pick up date was delayed by 3 weeks into April 23. I thought that's still OK, I wanted the car to be fault free after all. The car was due a Service in July as indicated on the cars display and they said to bring it in then to check over any niggles and I could sign up to a service plan which I did.
I asked for the service history as its all digital and a month after I bought it they emailed it through. It showed that the diff oil was missed and not serviced 2 services back. More surprisingly it stated the car had been serviced dated the day i picked it up in April, at another dealership in the group. This was a big service that included its first ever spark plug change at - 57k as per service schedule. The dealer did not tell me it was serviced before or at pick up of the car. Something which would be a big thing to mention.
I called up the merc sevice team and they confirmed car had been serviced in April and to come next April , ie this month for its service i stated the indicator said it was due, and they said they probably forgot to reset it. In Feb the car went into the dealer to change brake pads who noticed the fluid was dirty. I thought it was odd as it was changed at the last service.
So, these things made me think if the car had been serviced. They wouldn't have lied about it would they? As the next service was now due I decides to boom it in at a different dealership not part of the same group. I explained my ludicrous theory that the car may not have been serviced last year even though all the paperwork shows it was.
They were good enough to humour me, subject to an investigation charge ofcourse. I asked them to pull some plugs and see what the condition of the air filters were like. I got a call this afternoon stating the car had very dirty after market k and n air filters installed- not mercedes paper filter as it should be. They then pulled the plugs and found them to be corroded and worn, greatly excessive to the condition of year old plugs! I got them to change them at my expense.
So, the supplying approved used dealer lied of forgot about the service, as one does! If it was a small thing then fair enough, but this is huge. If I hadn't asked the plugs to be checked they wouldn't be on the service schedule for 3 more years and 50k miles and I would have a knackered engine etc etc.
So my to the PH masses is what I should do next regarding complaining? Do I messgae the salesman, the branch manager, the group owner, the manufacturer CEO? I know they may outright deny this has happened. Should I get a solicitor involved before this or have an independent inspection done? I will as the current dealer to keep the plus and the filters and to supply any pictures they have taken.
My thanks
Due to problem with something the actual pick up date was delayed by 3 weeks into April 23. I thought that's still OK, I wanted the car to be fault free after all. The car was due a Service in July as indicated on the cars display and they said to bring it in then to check over any niggles and I could sign up to a service plan which I did.
I asked for the service history as its all digital and a month after I bought it they emailed it through. It showed that the diff oil was missed and not serviced 2 services back. More surprisingly it stated the car had been serviced dated the day i picked it up in April, at another dealership in the group. This was a big service that included its first ever spark plug change at - 57k as per service schedule. The dealer did not tell me it was serviced before or at pick up of the car. Something which would be a big thing to mention.
I called up the merc sevice team and they confirmed car had been serviced in April and to come next April , ie this month for its service i stated the indicator said it was due, and they said they probably forgot to reset it. In Feb the car went into the dealer to change brake pads who noticed the fluid was dirty. I thought it was odd as it was changed at the last service.
So, these things made me think if the car had been serviced. They wouldn't have lied about it would they? As the next service was now due I decides to boom it in at a different dealership not part of the same group. I explained my ludicrous theory that the car may not have been serviced last year even though all the paperwork shows it was.
They were good enough to humour me, subject to an investigation charge ofcourse. I asked them to pull some plugs and see what the condition of the air filters were like. I got a call this afternoon stating the car had very dirty after market k and n air filters installed- not mercedes paper filter as it should be. They then pulled the plugs and found them to be corroded and worn, greatly excessive to the condition of year old plugs! I got them to change them at my expense.
So, the supplying approved used dealer lied of forgot about the service, as one does! If it was a small thing then fair enough, but this is huge. If I hadn't asked the plugs to be checked they wouldn't be on the service schedule for 3 more years and 50k miles and I would have a knackered engine etc etc.
So my to the PH masses is what I should do next regarding complaining? Do I messgae the salesman, the branch manager, the group owner, the manufacturer CEO? I know they may outright deny this has happened. Should I get a solicitor involved before this or have an independent inspection done? I will as the current dealer to keep the plus and the filters and to supply any pictures they have taken.
My thanks
When you say 'this is huge' and it appears that they didn't change the plugs and filter - then say 'it could have ruined the engine' but it clearly hasn't?
So the plugs and air filter should have been changed ?
Maybe ask for the sum of a small/medium service but I think if you go all in with a 'this could have been huge ! Give me the name of the CEO' then want do you want ? Somebodys resignation? Full refund of the car ? Publicity ?
What do YOU want ?
So the plugs and air filter should have been changed ?
Maybe ask for the sum of a small/medium service but I think if you go all in with a 'this could have been huge ! Give me the name of the CEO' then want do you want ? Somebodys resignation? Full refund of the car ? Publicity ?
What do YOU want ?
Easternlight said:
After 13 months I don't think you stand much hope of any redress.
Suck it up and service the car and keep enjoying it.
If someone had fitted K&N filters they may have asked for them to be left alone.
I've got K&N on my SLK55, They probably make no difference but I would be annoyed if they pulled them out and replaced with std merc filters as the point (to me) is that they can just be cleaned and re-oiled and then put back in.Suck it up and service the car and keep enjoying it.
If someone had fitted K&N filters they may have asked for them to be left alone.
Edited by juice on Wednesday 24th April 23:09
Thanks for your replies folks
Regarding the huge comment, I meant if it was not picked up by me they could've gone very bad in a few years time and it would be me or the next owner footing the bill due to their negligence. Oil and air filters done annually, so if missed not the end of the world.
Yes I would be peeved if my after market ait filter was binned, but it should not have never been there are an approved main dealer car should be of standard spec. The fact its dirty and was there shows they never replaced that either.
For me I purchased the car from a dealer with warranty for piece if mind and paid a premium for it. What it has shown is you can't trust anyone and even if a main dealer digital service book says its been done, do not take that as gospel.
I appreciate it'd 13 months down the line but did not have any reason to assume/suspect the car had not been serviced as it said it had been. If any of us took our cars to be serviced and they were not, how would you feel? It's that breach of trust and them thinking they can get away with it that peevs me off.
Recourse for me would admitting they messed up and to pay for the additional costs ive neded to pay to make it right. To get this I was after your advice to whom I should address my complaint.
Thanks muchly
Regarding the huge comment, I meant if it was not picked up by me they could've gone very bad in a few years time and it would be me or the next owner footing the bill due to their negligence. Oil and air filters done annually, so if missed not the end of the world.
Yes I would be peeved if my after market ait filter was binned, but it should not have never been there are an approved main dealer car should be of standard spec. The fact its dirty and was there shows they never replaced that either.
For me I purchased the car from a dealer with warranty for piece if mind and paid a premium for it. What it has shown is you can't trust anyone and even if a main dealer digital service book says its been done, do not take that as gospel.
I appreciate it'd 13 months down the line but did not have any reason to assume/suspect the car had not been serviced as it said it had been. If any of us took our cars to be serviced and they were not, how would you feel? It's that breach of trust and them thinking they can get away with it that peevs me off.
Recourse for me would admitting they messed up and to pay for the additional costs ive neded to pay to make it right. To get this I was after your advice to whom I should address my complaint.
Thanks muchly
The bill for what? New spark plugs? Old spark plugs won't damage an engine, reduce performance possibly if they are knackered.
As for the filter, most mechanics won't change a K&N as most owners would kick off if it was replaced.
Life is too short. Feel free to complain, but you are basically out of pocket of a few spark plugs and some K&N filter wash, less than £50.
As for the filter, most mechanics won't change a K&N as most owners would kick off if it was replaced.
Life is too short. Feel free to complain, but you are basically out of pocket of a few spark plugs and some K&N filter wash, less than £50.
If I read that correctly.....I'd be more pissed that you now effectively have a missed service (last July) and the car hasn't been serviced between July 2022 and April 2024?
The service record doesn't say that obviously, but depending on the engine involved could be fairly detrimental longer term.
The service record doesn't say that obviously, but depending on the engine involved could be fairly detrimental longer term.
The service that was 'carried out' on the day of collection, does the mileage on the service sheet match the mileage on your car? With digital service schedules its not unheard of for a service record to be put against the wrong car & would explain why your salesman didn't mention it having a service. If this was the case then it would also explain why when you called back to check they confirmed it had been done.
If you had followed up more strongly at the time I think you may have had a much better chance of being able to negotiate this out but a year later I’m not sure you’ll get very far.
It does sound as though they might have been economical with the truth and it might not ultimately mean the car was a poor choice anyway.
It does sound as though they might have been economical with the truth and it might not ultimately mean the car was a poor choice anyway.
Err maybe don't get attached to a second hand car,pride n joy n all that,it is just a second hand car?
I bought a motor slightly less mileage than yours,no idea of service records or interest in them, bought on condition and 'tight feel',just serviced it myself thereafter,went to 180k no bother,got rid of it still decent runner last December
I bought a motor slightly less mileage than yours,no idea of service records or interest in them, bought on condition and 'tight feel',just serviced it myself thereafter,went to 180k no bother,got rid of it still decent runner last December
Edited by Giantt on Thursday 25th April 19:04
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