Suzuki Baleno - Problems with new (used) car

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Wed 29 Jan 2020 17:11
Suzuki Baleno - Problems with new (used) car - joegrundy

Three weeks ago, I bought a 2016 ‘used approved’ Baleno boosterjet. Impressed with the car and the warranty (includes UK and euro breakdown and MOT warranty). I bought it from a dealer two hours away – I couldn’t find one closer on spec and on budget (£7k). Bought on PCP.

The buying experience wasn’t ideal. Satnav wasn’t working – no SD card. ‘Not fitted to this model, sir’. Yes they were, and I later got him to send me a SD card which my excellent local dealer fitted and got satnav working. Plastic trim panel missing from engine bay – ‘they’re all like that’. Local dealer got me one within a day (£4 inc. Clips). Etc., etc.

A few days ago we had a break in the weather and I was able to give it a good clean. Found some corrosion on wheel rims. Worst of all was what I thought was a stone chip just above windscreen with discolouration and bubbling. Took it to small bodyshop who said there was corrosion underneath, would need taking back to metal and roof respray.

Sent email to Suzuki customer services, prompt reply saying nothing to with us, take it up with dealer, your contract is with them (no it isn’t, that’s one reason I bought it on PCP). This morning I called Suzuki Finance (they have a special Quality Department but they don’t advertise it). They initially wanted to push it all onto dealer but we discussed it. I told them I was happy to work with them and if they wanted to involve their dealer I would cooperate. I sent them an email (copied to the dealer) outlining the issues.

This afternoon I took the car to a very well-regarded insurance approved bodyshop. The chap there was of the opinion that this probably wasn’t a stone chip but rather damage caused in changing the windscreen. He felt that the corrosion started under the windscreen surround and had spread up. What I thought was a chip may well be where it had broken out. His view was that a proper repair would involve removing and refiiting the windscreen and repainting the roof. I didn’t ask for a quote.

This damage is outside the ‘fair wear and tear’ guidelines issued by Suzuki. I don’t know why it wasn’t spotted by the dealer when the car was serviced just before I collected it. Presumably that would have included the corrosion warranty bodywork check.

I feel that this is well beyond the normal chips and marks to be expected on a three year old car, and I am now minded to formally reject it. As you may appreciate, I don’t have much confidence in the supplying dealer.

I’d welcome your thoughts.

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Wed 29 Jan 2020 17:42
Suzuki Baleno - Problems with new (used) car - gordonbennet

Unless the dealer (it doesn't matter who foots the bill the selling dealer is the one you have to deal with) agrees to a full professional repair at a bodyshop you agree to, with all costs covered by anyone but you, and a courtesy car in the meantime, i would agree with rejecting, if you can.

The chances of getting the screen out without breaking it are minimal so there's the cost of a screen on top, the reason a bodyshop you agree to is because we all know what they'll do otherwise, they'll leave the screen in place and simply paint up to the edge, which if its well done you won't be able to tell...until a couple of winters down the road and several inches of bubbling appears because the untreated rust has spread.

Those wheels want refurbing too, or they'll look like they belong on a Merc or Mondeo by the end of winter.

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Wed 29 Jan 2020 18:22
Suzuki Baleno - Problems with new (used) car - FiestaOwner

This damage is outside the ‘fair wear and tear’ guidelines issued by Suzuki. I don’t know why it wasn’t spotted by the dealer when the car was serviced just before I collected it. Presumably that would have included the corrosion warranty bodywork check.

I feel that this is well beyond the normal chips and marks to be expected on a three year old car, and I am now minded to formally reject it. As you may appreciate, I don’t have much confidence in the supplying dealer.

I’d welcome your thoughts.

Don't think you've got much of a case here. If the damage to the roof was caused by a third party replacing the windscreen, then that's not the fault of Suzuki or their dealer.

The "Approved used" status seems to mean next to nothing (look at the bottom of this page, no mention of corrosion): ucl.suzuki.co.uk/cars/used/pages/suzuki-used-car-p...e

The wheels may have been kerbed, or damaged by tyre fitters (in any case they are outside the manufacturers warranty period).

The manufacturers warranty has expired. The only cover (for corrosion) it still has is the Anti perforation warranty. This isn't going to cover damage caused by a third party.

Your biggest problem is the corrosion on the car was visible when you bought it. The car does sound as if it's fit for purpose.

I wish you well, but can't see you getting anywhere with this.

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Wed 29 Jan 2020 20:27
Suzuki Baleno - Problems with new (used) car - Brit_in_Germany

The car is suffering from corrosion which by the sound of it will not be covered by the warranty. As you are within the 30 day period set out in the Consumer Relations Act, rejection would be the way to go.

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Wed 29 Jan 2020 20:49
Suzuki Baleno - Problems with new (used) car - paul 1963

Joe, no offence but in your opening statement you said you was impressed with the car but then go on to mention faults and query why they weren't picked up when the car was serviced before collection.

Things like missing trim, damaged wheels etc are fairly obvious and you really should have spotted them before signing on the dotted line ( so to speak ) or at least pointed them out to the dealer and negotiated a 'fix' .

Hope you get it sorted, I had a swift a car or so ago and couldn't fault the car or the dealer network ( Had a Baleno as a loaner will the swift was serviced and loved it).

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Wed 29 Jan 2020 21:53
Suzuki Baleno - Problems with new (used) car - SLO76
It is a 4yr old car and will have a few battle scars despite being an approved used example. Some oxidisation on alloys at this age is fairly normal but I’d need to see the rust spot above the windscreen to see if I’d view it as anything more than a simple stone chip. It could well be from a replacement screen but equally a nasty stone chip. Either is hardly Suzuki’s fault and should’ve been noted when you were viewing the car. Do try your luck with the corrosion and paintwork warranty, they might well help but I’d say that it’s not really a reason to reject a car.

My wee Polo had a few chips on the bonnet and a minor one above the screen plus some minor deterioration on the alloys when I bought it at 3yrs old at just over £7,000, though this was at least £1,000 less than the approved used examples I could find at the time. I’ve kept on top of it and it’s not really much worse than it was when I bought it.

I’m concerned that you bought it on a PCP though. On new cars it often makes sense but on used it’s rarely competitive with typical interest rates of 9% APR or more compared to bank loans of less than 3% APR.

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