No Joy Just Heart Ache

[muddyboots]

I am not sure Seat dealers are any worse than other brands'. I think it is an endemic problem in this industry. The only good ones seem to be Honda and Toyota dealers. My Seat dealer (Frosts in Shoreham) is the best dealer I know of, regardless of brand, they are not cheerful but they are b...dy efficient.

Was reading the JD Power survey in What Car yesterday about this very subject......Seat dealers come 4th from bottom.

My experience of Seat dealers has been terrible - breaking bits off the car through heavy-handedness and then trying to deny doing so, not fixing faults, not honouring warranty claims (even when I pointed out the handbook text saying clearly in black and white "xenon discharge bulbs should last the life of the car unless there is a fault"!!). For me it was a constant battle to get things done properly, some warranty claims requiring letters to Seat HQ before the dealers would take notice.
I also found it very frustrating that they didn't hold any parts stock - so the simplest problem required two visits - the first to "diagnose", even when the problem was immediately obvious - then a wait while parts are ordered, then another to fit the parts. On some occasions, I took the car in for the second visit and they'd forgotten about the first, and just re-diagnosed, having not ordered any parts - so when I turn up to collect the car expecting it to be fixed, I get told "Yes we have confirmed XYZ is faulty, and have ordered the parts"
Because the dealer network is quite small, each visit required quite a lengthy trip and an early finish from work.

The dire quality of service I received from Seat really does make me think twice about owning another Seat.

However, now that we can use independents for servicing without losing warranty, I am considering returning to the fold. There is a small independent very close to home whose quality of workmanship is far higher than any main dealer and who I trust completely. That means I only have to visit the dealers for warranty work.

Other dealers I've used in the past have not been brilliant but none have been anywhere near as poor as Seat.

 

[PhilOfCas]

Was reading the JD Power survey in What Car yesterday about this very subject......Seat dealers come 4th from bottom.

My experience of Seat dealers has been terrible - breaking bits off the car through heavy-handedness and then trying to deny doing so, not fixing faults, not honouring warranty claims (even when I pointed out the handbook text saying clearly in black and white "xenon discharge bulbs should last the life of the car unless there is a fault"!!). For me it was a constant battle to get things done properly, some warranty claims requiring letters to Seat HQ before the dealers would take notice.
I also found it very frustrating that they didn't hold any parts stock - so the simplest problem required two visits - the first to "diagnose", even when the problem was immediately obvious - then a wait while parts are ordered, then another to fit the parts. On some occasions, I took the car in for the second visit and they'd forgotten about the first, and just re-diagnosed, having not ordered any parts - so when I turn up to collect the car expecting it to be fixed, I get told "Yes we have confirmed XYZ is faulty, and have ordered the parts"
Because the dealer network is quite small, each visit required quite a lengthy trip and an early finish from work.

The dire quality of service I received from Seat really does make me think twice about owning another Seat.

However, now that we can use independents for servicing without losing warranty, I am considering returning to the fold. There is a small independent very close to home whose quality of workmanship is far higher than any main dealer and who I trust completely. That means I only have to visit the dealers for warranty work.

Other dealers I've used in the past have not been brilliant but none have been anywhere near as poor as Seat.

I could have pretty much written this myself, particularly the bit on repeat visits and then parts not being ordered, it's such a shame as the car is doing all i ask it to but i just have no confidence in the dealer, to the extent that i often put off visits because i don't trust them to solve the problem (or cause new ones!).

Out of warranty soon so i'll be on look out for a good independent.

 

[Rallye Dale]

The above could also apply to VW from my experiance

yet to discover the delights of the local SEAT dealership

 

[adt]

Yes, had experince of these too (VW) and you're right.

Same training school I expect...

 

[MORTON2525]

I am back with more confusing words from seat uk ,now they want to send an airbag specialist from spain to see if my undamaged car has been damaged ,either by grass as they seem to think that i have had the car off road,or the infamous pothole or other external forces . seat uk say they are not liable as the airbag sensor reported crash data ,so therefore no replacement and back to square 1. i am not at the legal end yet as i want to see what there speciailist says . so if he fails to help us ,which is the likely out come .then its of to our solicitors .
seat uk also have done another u turn as to the replacement(i think that its to do with the fact we demanded a new car ).are dealer says he cant do anything as its seat uks call
i know one thing the s**t is going to hit the fan if i dont get sorted out soon

 

[muddyboots]

Bloody hell that's rubbish....

For an airbag to go off there would have to be a significant amount of damage, which would be very obvious.
Car manufacturers do huge amounts of testing on test tracks to simulate very rough surfaces, to ensure airbags don't go off unless there is a serious impact.

Make sure you take plenty of photos of the car from all angles, preferably with a film-based camera, as evidence of the lack of damage, before the "specialists" get their hands on your car.

If this were me I'd run out of patience and be starting the legal threats/proceedings NOW.

Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty ? This is customer service at it's worst.

 

[m0rk]

this video shows some of the testing that demonstrates the airbags don't fire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFbq4QczxEo&NR=1

 

[nickfrog]

If you demanded a new car, it sounds logical that they have done a u-turn. Why would they give you a new car when yours is 2.5 years old? Why would you get free use of a car for 2.5 years? They offered a replacement car like for like, you should have taken it. You may have lost credibility. I am not defending them because it looks like they are at fault but no Company is going to be held to ransom like that. VW don't mind being sued, as I guess you'll have the burden of proof. I hope things improve for you but they have been reasonable (eventually!!). Maybe I misunderstood something.

 

[Jochen]

Hi,
The reason the airbags deployed should be stored on the airbag e.c.u. and should be viewed with the diagnostic equipment.
There is a pressure sensor in the front doors which would deploy side and curtain airbags in the event of side impact or the front crash sensors which operate front airbags and seat belts.
Hope you get to the bottom of it, but cause will be stored!
Jochen.

 

[MORTON2525]

im back ,and this time with the news i wanted to hear ,a new car from my dealer ,donnelly bros in dugannon co tyrone n.ireland, we have sorted out are differences, and agreed that this was the best course of action for all concerned, it may have taken 12 weeks but it was worth it, i have nothing but praise for the owner of the donnelly group who was only to glad to help,and talked to all of the seat uk staff on are behalf
i get my new car on tuesday 28 aug , a 1.6 petrol referance in red ,and i cant wait (hope they give the airbag sensors extra care)
well thanks again for all the info and help