Bought used approved, windscreen big chip in it

[davebhoy]

Hello, thanks in advance for any help on this.

I bought a used approved VW two days ago. There is a chip in the windscreen that I didn't spot when I was looking at the car, I'm being told by windscreen repair people that it can't be repaired as its (only just) too big so I'll need a new windscreen.

I know I should have spotted it, its hidden behind the rear view mirror when you're driving but its large enough that I should have seen it. I thought that buying a used approved car from a reputable VW dealer meant that something like that would be fixed before they sold it so I was a bit more relaxed about the check than I should have been. Lesson learned.

Here's what they say about the benefits of the Used Approved scheme:

"142 checks

Our skilled, Volkswagen trained technicians carry out a thorough workshop and test drive inspection of every car before it can become an Approved Used Volkswagen.

Any faults identified are fixed using Volkswagen Genuine Parts™. Only then can a used car become part of the Approved Volkswagen programme."

I would have thought they would have at least repaired the chip or tried to.

I'm taking the car in next week, what do you think my rights are?

[Xcore]

What’s to stop them just saying it must of happened on the way home? Can you see it any of the advert pictures?

[Geffg]

I never believe they do any checks. The only things checked on a used car is what you check and pick up on. I think you’ll be hard pushed to get them to do it as they’ll say it could’ve been done since you drove the car away.
Annoying but I’d still speak to them and see if they will sort it. Nothing to lose by asking.

[ecsrobin]

All you can really do is ask. But I suspect they will say it could have happened on the way home.

I had similar with a new car, the excitement at collection meant I wasn’t as thorough as I should have been and missed a scuffed wheel (was blue in colour the same as the garages ramp) and the damaged tyre next to it. Fortunately for me they agreed in that circumstance.

A windscreen chip will be harder to prove. Maybe have a look at their sales photos and see if it’s visible?

[nordboy]

My approved used Jag didn't even come with windscreen washer fluid. I found that out when I was on the way home and needed it.

Pre-checks....

[davebhoy]

Not obvious in any of the pics unfortunately

They are saying they'll take a look next week. It was the salesman's first sale ever, we all have to start somewhere but he made lots of mistakes, I'm still waiting for the receipt for the payment and he told me all sorts of duff information about service history and was going to charge me a couple of grand over the price because he got his sums wrong. I dont think that'll make any difference to the manager who I'm seeing but it does all add up to a pretty unprofessional service.

Its a high milage car 3 year old car which does have a lot of minor stone chip damage to the bonnet and other very small chips to the windscreen. All taken into consideration on the price but I wouldn't have expected to see a chip that needed repairing

Thanks for the advice. I'll update on what they say

[Backtobasics2]

Good luck, had similar with a wheel on mine, literally no chance. Sales guy hasn’t responded, neither has his boss.

I broke all the rules when buying my approved used golf now reaping the rewards. Been in once, nothing fixed even though they said it was, going back in again in two weeks. The service principal says he’s seeing cars pre approved with very little prep, far worse that years ago so they keep the margin up.

[dozen]

VW say that you have 30 days to simply return the car and choose another one. Make it clear that either the screen is changed or you will pick a different car.

I have had a similar experience with VW used recently and this option seems to focus their minds.

[davebhoy]

Backtobasics2 said:

Good luck, had similar with a wheel on mine, literally no chance. Sales guy hasn’t responded, neither has his boss.

I broke all the rules when buying my approved used golf now reaping the rewards. Been in once, nothing fixed even though they said it was, going back in again in two weeks. The service principal says he’s seeing cars pre approved with very little prep, far worse that years ago so they keep the margin up.

I wouldn't know for sure but thats the impression I got. It felt like they were selling me credit agreements and service packages rather than a car, and when I mentioned the cam belt as the car had done over 60,000 miles they told me their schedules were to replace at 70 or 5 years which my mechanic says sounds too convenient.

[davebhoy]

dozen said:

VW say that you have 30 days to simply return the car and choose another one. Make it clear that either the screen is changed or you will pick a different car.

I have had a similar experience with VW used recently and this option seems to focus their minds.

I had seen that, I'll certainly try it if I dont get any joy

[alscar]

I would have thought you had a good chance of getting the dealer to get a new windscreen fitted but if all else fails I presume your insurance allows you to claim without hitting your ncb.
Obviously you have no idea of when the chip happened and it could have been on the way home.

[OldSkoolRS]

alscar said:

I would have thought you had a good chance of getting the dealer to get a new windscreen fitted but if all else fails I presume your insurance allows you to claim without hitting your ncb.

While a windscreen shouldn't affect your NCD, you might be liable for an excess (£75 in my case) and then when I renewed recently one company added another £25 on to the premium because I'd recently made a claim on the windscreen.

Annoyingly this wasn't picked up when I did the on line comparison quote (because they don't have a section that asks for windscreen claims) so I only found out when I rang up to confirm they had received and were happy with my proof of NCD. I went back to my original company as they'd taken this into account when quoting my renewal.

[alscar]

OldSkoolRS said:

While a windscreen shouldn't affect your NCD, you might be liable for an excess (£75 in my case) and then when I renewed recently one company added another £25 on to the premium because I'd recently made a claim on the windscreen.

Annoyingly this wasn't picked up when I did the on line comparison quote (because they don't have a section that asks for windscreen claims) so I only found out when I rang up to confirm they had received and were happy with my proof of NCD. I went back to my original company as they'd taken this into account when quoting my renewal.

Fair point about the Excess - OP you might bear this in mind if negotiation with the garage doesn’t go as well as you would like and if all else fails get them to pay for the Excess.
Most existing policies seem to always state that NCB shouldn’t be affected so anyone quoting more premium for a windscreen claim is taking the p*ss a bit.
You might even think that law of averages might dictate that actually you’re a better risk at that point and less likely to claim for a further screen ?!

[Bobupndown]

alscar said:

I would have thought you had a good chance of getting the dealer to get a new windscreen fitted but if all else fails I presume your insurance allows you to claim without hitting your ncb.
Obviously you have no idea of when the chip happened and it could have been on the way home.

I'd say you'd have a fair idea, something hitting a windscreen hard enough to chip it to that extent isn't going to have been silent!

[OldSkoolRS]

alscar said:

Fair point about the Excess - OP you might bear this in mind if negotiation with the garage doesn’t go as well as you would like and if all else fails get them to pay for the Excess.
Most existing policies seem to always state that NCB shouldn’t be affected so anyone quoting more premium for a windscreen claim is taking the p*ss a bit.
You might even think that law of averages might dictate that actually you’re a better risk at that point and less likely to claim for a further screen ?!

I don't know...they might have a point. Admittedly in company cars apart from the most recent one, but I've had 4 windscreens in the last 15 year or so that I can remember. Two came within weeks of each other as well...just driving down the M4 not some potholed back road.

I did think adding it to the premium was taking the p as well, plus they were difficult to get hold of and were a pain about accepting my proof of NCD. Not sure I can name them, but they were a budget arm of a certain nodding dog that added the extra £25 or so onto my premium because of it. I dodged a bullet by cancelling before the policy started for a full refund. Privilege either didn't care or their premium was low enough to absorb it as I ended up better off sticking with them.

Edited by OldSkoolRS on Saturday 20th May 16:42

[alscar]

Bobupndown said:

I'd say you'd have a fair idea, something hitting a windscreen hard enough to chip it to that extent isn't going to have been silent!

Totally agree but that’s why I phrased it as I did
I had to get a new screen not so long ago on one of my cars and the noise when the stone (?) hit it was horrendous - to be fair not a chip but a crack though.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I had this on a Toyota that I bought from a Toyota dealers once. The salesman put the trade plate/his book conveniently where the bullseye chip was on the lowest part of the screen.

Thankfully the new mot showed it there.... so it was very hard for them to dispute when it happened.

Be aware some insurers now treat any new screens fitted under your policy under claims now.

Personally that along with all the paint chips I'd reject the car anyway.

I know some will dispute this but it sounds like a bloody high miler.


During covid I was going to buy a Skoda approved Octavia. A big bonnet scratch.


Dealer said just before cash handover tough, it comes with the bonnet length scratch take it or leave it.

They handed back my deposit very quickly then advertised the car for 2k more...

Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Saturday 20th May 17:05

[Liquid Tuna]

Does it need to obscure the field of vision to be an MOT fail? And if it doesn't obscure the field of vision, will they just say you have to live with it as it's cosmetic - much like the stone chips on the bonnet and all taken into consideration when sold at the price you bought it for?

[davebhoy]

Liquid Tuna said:

Does it need to obscure the field of vision to be an MOT fail? And if it doesn't obscure the field of vision, will they just say you have to live with it as it's cosmetic - much like the stone chips on the bonnet and all taken into consideration when sold at the price you bought it for?

Its not in the filed of vision and its not big enough to fail the MOT, but isn't it dangerous not to repair a chip or replace the windscreen?

[texaxile]

Geffg said:

I never believe they do any checks. The only things checked on a used car is what you check and pick up on. I think you’ll be hard pushed to get them to do it as they’ll say it could’ve been done since you drove the car away.
Annoying but I’d still speak to them and see if they will sort it. Nothing to lose by asking.

I agree, certainly in the case of some MD's at least. We purchased an RR Evoque , checks that were missed were: Headlight bulb out, both front tyres at limit despite sales patter saying minimum of 4mm, plus it came to us with the service reminder on. After a few shots fired at the salesman, along with me scratching the filters to make sure the doofus in the workshop actually changed them, it was returned the following day with everything sorted. When spunking a chunk of money on a car, the least they can do is the basic stuff.