Thread: How many Kms should a "new" car have?

Originally Posted by JamesB71

How much pre-delivery damage would you be willing to shrug off on a brand new vehicle?

Short answer: None.

If they are manufacturing defects, like the fact that it is hand assembled and so there may be gaps and things, then OK, other defects are repaired under warranty. Any damage post production should not exist.

How about general build quality issues? This pic was also taken while it was on the showroom floor, and whilst not really a major problem is pretty indicative of sloppy work. A bit like the aluminium swarf in the rear window runners from installing the windows.....

Must've missed your previous photo...which thread was it in?
Cheers, Pickles.

Just back a page.

Originally Posted by JamesB71

Thanks for the input guys. The dichotomy in points of view is interesting to note. People who only buy second hand cars seem to not care, people who fork out for new seem to agree with me that if you buy something new it should at least start out undamaged.
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How much pre-delivery damage would you be willing to shrug off on a brand new vehicle?
I would expect no damage.

I'm not sure if your second sentence was a response to my comments.
However if they are then I believe you have misrepresented my position on the subject. I was commenting mostly on the issue raised in the subject line of your thread, ie the number of kms on a new car.
I did say:

Originally Posted by vnx205

I can understand that someone might be mildly miffed if their new vehicle had damage.

No mate, not you in particular, just an observation that there are two distinct schools of thought on the subject. Im too old and apathetic to have arguments with people on the internet and wasnt trying to pick a fight.

It probably says more about the people than the issue really. I, and it seems quite a few others have an idea of what a "new" car is and it doesnt seem to gel with what the industry considers appropriate. If I had it over again I would buy a demo. Whats the difference if they are going to use the new ones as demos anyway? The expectation of what are an appropriate number of kms on a new car seems to have quite a number of diverse opinions. I would have been ok with as many as it took to get the aftermarket jobs done. But when I turn up to the showroom and its got mud all underneath, visible damage, corrosion in the damaged part and 40 unexplained kms on the clock I think something is up.

The issue of damage, I think we can all agree on. A new car shouldnt have any. If it does, its a second hand car.

Originally Posted by JamesB71

How about general build quality issues? This pic was also taken while it was on the showroom floor, and whilst not really a major problem is pretty indicative of sloppy work. A bit like the aluminium swarf in the rear window runners from installing the windows.....

I think in this case, if it something that will affect the performance of the vehicle, then you should claim it under warranty. However things like that are a given when it is assembled by hand. We have got used to having near perfect vehicles that are made by robots. Once upon a time, it was normal to go over a car and check that things were properly tightened.

It's a defender for gods sake, hand built by a 17 year old in darkest Birmingham.

It's just the way it is.

However you have every right to complain about issues, and I am sure your dealer will put things right.