Lacquer coming off 2014 red Mercedes estate.

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Coolaboy

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Hi folks. Two years ago I bought a red 2014 mercedes estate off a non Mercedes dealer in Dublin. In the last few months the lacquer has started to peel off the bonnet, the roof and several different places. I went back to the dealer and he said there is nothing he will do. The car looks terrible. I'm looking for advice om what to do. Many thanks, Jim,
 
Paintwork might be part of the anti-rust warranty which is usually quite extensive, like 8-12 years.
Check the warranty details in the documentation and manuals, and get in touch with the importer directly, or a certified Mercedes dealership.
 
The dealer is a reytailer, you are a consumer and have your rights protected in law. To quote from the relevent Citizens' Information web-site "As a consumer you have the same rights if you buy an item second hand [from a dealer / trader] as if it is new."

See here https://www.citizensinformation.ie/...g/advice_on_buying_a_used_car_in_ireland.html

The old nonsense of "3 months' engine & gearbox warranty" is long gone. Or referrals back to importers or manufacturers. You have a binding contract with the dealer who sold you the car. The dealer may not accept that but it's the law.
 
Thanks for the reply. Really useful. I will check the warranty and see the fine print. Will chase up the garage I bought it off too.
 
Your contract in law is with the seller, not with any 3rd party. There is no need to check on any warranty, just rely on the information on that web-site I supplied. Read it carefully before approaching anybody. Oh, and don't get suckered into any SIMI negotiations if the seller is a member. SIMI have nothing to do with you.
 
Mercedes are in the lower leagues when it comes to warranty, I'm sure you'll know this had expired by the time you bought the car, so you have no recourse there.

You do have certain rights when buying a used car (see here), but unfortunately I don't imagine you will have much recourse with the garage either. Consumer protection is more focused on the car being of merchantable quality, fit for purpose, and as described. There is little focus on the cosmetics. I don't see how a garage could be reasonably expected to offer a ~2 year warranty on the paintwork of a second hand car when that is all the manufacturer will offer when brand new.

You or the previous owner(s) use drive through car washes much? Wash it in direct sunlight? Fail to clean bird droppings quickly? All those and more can damage the clear coat, and once damaged, flaking usually follows.

To repair, you will need to bring it to a bodywork specialist / paint shop where they will sand back and reapply the clear coat (lacquers aren't used any more).
 
Id be digging a bit deeper on this one.

It would be very unusual for the Clear coat to start flaking of any reasonably newish vehicle unless the vehicle has had a poor after market paint job carried out at some stage. I would be taking the car to a body-shop person for a second opinion, and if suspicions are likely that there are signs of body repairs carried out, engage an engineer to do up a report on the extent of damaged area.

From what you say regarding damage, its an extremely expensive rectification.

If you bought this 3 year old car, and there was bodywork carried out without you being informed, you would have recourse with the dealer you bought it from, and he in-turn would have to follow it up with the person who traded in the car having signed the " No previous repair" section,.
 
Your car is not the way it should be, it appears to have been poorly painted for some reason.

A good paint job will run a couple of thousand, it needs to be done so who pays ?

Get a quote for restoration and visit a solicitor, let the Dealer know and ask do they want to buy the car back from you making an allowance for age and the extra mileage since you bought it or exchange it.

The Dealer may have been duped but you did not get what you paid for.

Litigate if necessary.
 
The typical scenario is that this is the result of a poor respray following a repair. That would actually be to your advantage, as the dealer should have been aware of any repair and notified you. I can't see you getting any joy if you try going through the courts.
 
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