Brake pads/disks worn on car after buying it 3 months

bs2014

Bought a 16 Golf off a franchise non VW dealer. In just over 3 months since collecting, I've done 8000miles. I commute to my job which is basically sitting at 60mph so not hard on brakes.

The dealer provided me the last service receipt they did 2000 miles prior to me collecting the car. On this, it noted front pads 20% remain. When I rang the other day to query had they been changed the service manager told me 20% was loads on a Golf....I now know this is rubbish as VW dealers change them between 20 and 30%.

Due a service now and brought to 2 seperate indies who now tell me my front pads need changed as expected and my back pads and discs need changing as the back discs are corroding. I accept this is wear and tear but I'm convinced they didnt even bother checking over the car and I actually have no faith in them.

I rang and stated my case and between the jigs and reels as expected they are trying to throw it up as an unwarrantable item their Ford warranty doesnt cover as its a wear and tear and item and basically tough. Correct its a wear and tear item but
1. Brake disks don't or shouldn't corrode
2. A retail car that is prepped shouldn't be sent out with corroded disks and 20% pads. Corroded discs from what I see are an MOT and NCT failure.

As many know, its painful dealing with 'computer says no' glorified receptionists in dealerships who think they are above you when they are nothing short of glorified gangsters.

Fortunately I have pics of the alloys from when I was inquiring about the car which shows the condition of the discs. I've been driving 8 years on any of my 2 previous cars never once had to replace back discs or pads.

Thoughts and approach to take much appreciated.

JustAThought

i’m no petrol head but on my old car I replaced the brakepads once in about 4 or 5 years, and on my ‘new’ car I’ve only replaced them twice in about 7 years but do fairly serious mileage. Is the a point below which you’re not supposed to drive the car - maybe 20% is almost the tipping point and the legL for safety is 15 or 10%. IMO dealer sounds like cheapskate but I dont know.

blackbox

I agree that the dealer was a bit of a cheapskate, but it's hardly worth getting into a big row over a set of pads.
Discs get surface corrosion when not being used, especially in wet weather. Not an issue.

bs2014

JustAThought wrote: »

i’m no petrol head but on my old car I replaced the brakepads once in about 4 or 5 years, and on my ‘new’ car I’ve only replaced them twice in about 7 years but do fairly serious mileage. Is the a point below which you’re not supposed to drive the car - maybe 20% is almost the tipping point and the legL for safety is 15 or 10%. IMO dealer sounds like cheapskate but I dont know.

I'm into cars but not a mechanic or that. But all I know is 20% is not alot of anything and this was 2000 miles prior to me buying the car. The sales manager will call me Monday. TBH I am gonna dig my heels in cuz even if they try plamas me saying they will pay half, I still don't think it was acceptable to send the car out to me like that. I kinda just want to now bring her to a VW garage for service and once over cuz don't want them anywhere near the car lol

jmreire

bs2014 wrote: »

Bought a 16 Golf off a franchise non VW dealer. In just over 3 months since collecting, I've done 8000miles. I commute to my job which is basically sitting at 60mph so not hard on brakes.

The dealer provided me the last service receipt they did 2000 miles prior to me collecting the car. On this, it noted front pads 20% remain. When I rang the other day to query had they been changed the service manager told me 20% was loads on a Golf....I now know this is rubbish as VW dealers change them between 20 and 30%.

Due a service now and brought to 2 seperate indies who now tell me my front pads need changed as expected and my back pads and discs need changing as the back discs are corroding. I accept this is wear and tear but I'm convinced they didnt even bother checking over the car and I actually have no faith in them.

I rang and stated my case and between the jigs and reels as expected they are trying to throw it up as an unwarrantable item their Ford warranty doesnt cover as its a wear and tear and item and basically tough. Correct its a wear and tear item but
1. Brake disks don't or shouldn't corrode
2. A retail car that is prepped shouldn't be sent out with corroded disks and 20% pads. Corroded discs from what I see are an MOT and NCT failure.

As many know, its painful dealing with 'computer says no' glorified receptionists in dealerships who think they are above you when they are nothing short of glorified gangsters.

Fortunately I have pics of the alloys from when I was inquiring about the car which shows the condition of the discs. I've been driving 8 years on any of my 2 previous cars never once had to replace back discs or pads.

Thoughts and approach to take much appreciated.

So you have done 8'000 Miles since you bought the car, but don't know how many Miles these brakes have done since they were first fitted?? Could you post the pic's? . Even with the best will in the world, pads and discs do wear out eventually. With the rear discs, were the discs "Scored" ( grooved ) from running with pads that had been worn down to the metal? You will see "corrosion" on the outer and inner rings of the disc, and sometime'd they are ridged where pads have eaten into the centre of the disc during braking.

pablo128

It's a wear item. A consumable. The time to check it was when you bought it, not months later. I believe you when you say you are not hard on the brakes, but try proving that to a dealer.

Just get discs and pads front and rear for peace of mind. And don't trust a dealer ever again. Always have the car checked yourself before purchase.

Toyotafanboi

To be fair, IMO, you're at nothing here.

The time for this arguement was before you bought the car. Did you not check ther service history or ask these questions before you pulled the trigger buying the car?

Most used cars are prepped for sale to make their next service, as a minimum standard, which yours did.

I agree 20% of anything, particularly brake pads isn't an awful lot, but it was a used car not a new car and you got a service interval, 8000 miles (13k kms) from them which is ok going. Corrosion around the disc bells or the outer circumference is very popular on Golf rear discs but doesn't effect the performance of the disc.

I'd add aswell if you are looking for help from a dealer in a situation like this and you are treating staff with as much disdain as you are here, then it's fairly unsurprising that they aren't helpful.

As many know, its painful dealing with 'computer says no' glorified receptionists in dealerships who think they are above you when they are nothing short of glorified gangsters.

Neilw

Had a 2016 Golf and it needed new rear discs and pads at about 20k kms, the pads were worn but the discs were corroded. It’s a known issue with them.

bs2014

I hear peoples points but to be honest....when your paying 20000e to buy a 'quality used car' you shouldnt have to be out such an expense so early on. Its the garages responsibility to check the car over....not a non mechanic like me....otherwise whats the point in dealerships we wouls all just take our chances on donedeal. Ive attached 1 image of them now and 1 from before I bought. I did question them at the time and got the usual oh its just from sitting up parked and 'our trained team will check that over'. Im not being distainful to them....only reciprocating any 'attitute' I get. Yea ive heard in the past day the golf disks are meant to be ****. Though id a 14 Leon FR previously for 4 years and never had any issues....is it a golf specific issue?

Toyotafanboi

The issue with the Golf discs is an unusually high tendency to rust around the bell and circumfrence, which makes them really ugly and the circumference rust can cause a squeal. You disc has all of that.

That disc is bollixed though, there's a decent bit of pitted rust on the friction surface, they arent great but I dare say they'd pass an NCT. The rust is very very strong on those though, is it an ex UK car?

Still, the garage did check over the car, the brakes did work and they do work. Used car, variable degrees of wear etc. I dont honestly think you'll win this. I do get your point that maybe the prep for sale could have been a bit more extensive and it is disappointing to a fair extent but from your current position I dont think you're going to win this.

bucketybuck

Can anybody explain what I'm missing here?

You bought the car with 20% pad wear left. You know you had 20% pad wear left because they told you that at the time of sale, in fact they provided you with the service records with clear evidence that there was 20% wear left.

Now 8000 miles later you are crying that your brakes need some work?

bs2014

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

The issue with the Golf discs is an unusually high tendency to rust around the bell and circumfrence, which makes them really ugly and the circumference rust can cause a squeal. You disc has all of that.

That disc is bollixed though, there's a decent bit of pitted rust on the friction surface, they arent great but I dare say they'd pass an NCT. The rust is very very strong on those though, is it an ex UK car?

Still, the garage did check over the car, the brakes did work and they do work. Used car, variable degrees of wear etc. I dont honestly think you'll win this. I do get your point that maybe the prep for sale could have been a bit more extensive and it is disappointing to a fair extent but from your current position I dont think you're going to win this.

Its a northern Irish car first reg in Belfast. Strangely enough there is no squealing or rubbing which is why I had no reason to be concerned. I agree and its a point I've raised that it likely wouldnt pass an NCT or MOT. Would you say there is likely other parts or damage other than the pads and discs. I'm kind of second guessing cuz havent had it in with a VW dealer yet for service so god knows what other skeletons there is.

bs2014

bucketybuck wrote: »

Can anybody explain what I'm missing here?

You bought the car with 20% pad wear left. You know you had 20% pad wear left because they told you that at the time of sale, in fact they provided you with the service records with clear evidence that there was 20% wear left.

Now 8000 miles later you are crying that your brakes need some work?

They did not tell me this. It was wrote in on the service receipt that I more or less insisting on getting a copy of as they couldn't locate the service book.... (I've since managed to get the service book filled in myself)

And I genuinely don't believe they bothered their backside looking the car over, quick wash and hoover. When I test drove the car the notification to change the battery came up. I prompted the sales one to which I was shut down going 'oh that will all be taken care of by our guys'. Go to collect the car all washed and start her up and low and behold no key battery replaced....quite embarassing on the garages behalf.

Iodine1

Brake discs and pads wear, and at very variable rates, depending on the driver and environment, just as with tyres. IMO you are being a bit over the top coming back 8000 miles later claiming the car was not satisfactory. It was not a new car and one cannot expect it to have all new parts, at this stage. Consumables would only be covered by guarantee until you leave the forecourt.

jmreire

Iodine1 wrote: »

Brake discs and pads wear, and at very variable rates, depending on the driver and environment, just as with tyres. IMO you are being a bit over the top coming back 8000 miles later claiming the car was not satisfactory. It was not a new car and one cannot expect it to have all new parts, at this stage. Consumables would only be covered by guarantee until you leave the forecourt.

Most guarantees ( even in new vehicles) do not cover wearable's,,,,,glass, clutches, brake pads etc. As you say, if you don't catch it before taking delivery, you can forget about it......and definitely not 8'000 Miles later ( nearly 13'000 Klms ) It all depends on the deal made, Nr mths / Nr Klms etc, but 10'000 Klms would be a fairly good guarantee to get.

bs2014

So wear and tear aside, is it acceptable for 'reputable dealerships' to send out non roadworthy cars that won't pass an NCT

barneygumble99

bs2014 wrote: »

So wear and tear aside, is it acceptable for 'reputable dealerships' to send out non roadworthy cars that won't pass an NCT

How was it non roadworthy?

bs2014

barneygumble99 wrote: »

How was it non roadworthy?

Corroded rear brake discs are an NCT failure.

Toyotafanboi

bs2014 wrote: »

Corroded rear brake discs are an NCT failure.

I think you misunderstood my comment when I said I reckon that disc would actually pass. It's not the may west but to me it doesn't fall into a fail category via the guidelines.

There was nothing unroadworthy about the car.

kirving

bs2014 wrote: »

Corroded rear brake discs are an NCT failure.

Were they corroded when you bought it?

I agree with you, it's bad form not to have that done by the dealer on a 20k car. But it really is way too late to be coming back now. Is it a GTi or GTD?

For the sake of keeping on good terms with the dealer, in case you get a more serious issue that they could argue, you should go to the dealer, say you're not happy but would like to come to a compromise. You pay parts and they do a good deal on labour or something along those lines.

You'll get absolutely nowhere getting annoyed, and burn bridges you may need in future.

colm_mcm

Did you get a Ford backed warranty?

pablo128

Just to add, your mileage works out at about 50k kms a year or so. That's more than double an average mileage. The dealer would use that against you too.

bs2014

Its a Ford Protect UK warranty. Tbh if I fall out with them, I won't loose sleep but I know they are the type that will do nothing unless someone else is paying for it. Yea doing 50000km atm due to commute to work but hoping that will only be for forseeable future. Its all main road driving so infact I probably brake less than someone doing half that mileage but normal down driving. They appear badly rusted and I raised the question and I got the usual sales flannel at the time 'oh our guys will check all that over'. I have pics of the alloys which show there condition before purchase. Golf GTD btw

bs2014

The saga with the garage is ongoing and they are being awkard dicks, so this Sat I'm going down to show them the car in person. I was curious also did the backing plate behind the disc need replaced.

NCT centre 1 near work: Came out and looked at the wheels and said them discs and pads are perfect and I'd pass that no bother, once there 50% surface on the disk, thats all thats needed.

NCT centre 2 at home: Called into them this evening, wouldnt even look at the car but when I showed the pic, the sarcastic response was "you don't need to be a mechanic to know them discs are bad" implying a fail.

I'm actual shocked at 2 complete opposing answers, where is the standardisation of practices like, my hunch is NCT centre 1 was incredibly lax but still

lawred2

why do the discs needs replacing? after 4 years seems very soon

Toyotafanboi

Your discs are bolloxed.

They are a borderline NCT pass based on the photo you uploaded. The NCT is a minimum safety threshold inspection and they are advised if something is borderline to err on the side of a pass. Just because the NCT says they are ok doesn't really mean they are any good and if the NCT say they are a fail they are pretty much dangerous. But you dont need any of that advice because those discs have had it.

I wouldnt bother going to the dealer on a Saturday. This is an aftersales issue, there's a 99.9% chance the aftersales manager doesn't work Saturdays and a 50% chance that aftersales in general isn't open. The best you could hope for on a Saturday is for the sales manager to give you a swift non committal fob off (as Saturday is his busiest selling day) where he will tell you he'll discuss with the aftersales manager on Monday.

Would you not just put a set of brakes on it and move on? Genuine question, is it worth the heartache?

bs2014

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Your discs are bolloxed.

They are a borderline NCT pass based on the photo you uploaded. The NCT is a minimum safety threshold inspection and they are advised if something is borderline to err on the side of a pass. Just because the NCT says they are ok doesn't really mean they are any good and if the NCT say they are a fail they are pretty much dangerous. But you dont need any of that advice because those discs have had it.

I wouldnt bother going to the dealer on a Saturday. This is an aftersales issue, there's a 99.9% chance the aftersales manager doesn't work Saturdays and a 50% chance that aftersales in general isn't open. The best you could hope for on a Saturday is for the sales manager to give you a swift non committal fob off (as Saturday is his busiest selling day) where he will tell you he'll discuss with the aftersales manager on Monday.

Would you not just put a set of brakes on it and move on? Genuine question, is it worth the heartache?

Fair points....oh trust me man ive already rang and arranged to meet both sales ans servicr manager this Sat. Dragging on 2 weeks. Tbh its the more out of a point of principle and cuz of their arrogaunce to date. I mean I sent pics and then they said they would do the work IF i paid them 300stg for a service so they could 'absorb' the cost. Now all of a sudden they need to see the car despite me sending pics and suggesting Id take it a mechanic of their choice that was close to me....after all if they are quick enough to sell to ROI they should be quick enough to get their finger out and do aftercare especially when Ive called them out for basically not checking the car pre delivery.....my heart is gone by now hah

colm_mcm

bs2014 wrote: »

Its a Ford Protect UK warranty. Tbh if I fall out with them, I won't loose sleep but I know they are the type that will do nothing unless someone else is paying for it. Yea doing 50000km atm due to commute to work but hoping that will only be for forseeable future. Its all main road driving so infact I probably brake less than someone doing half that mileage but normal down driving. They appear badly rusted and I raised the question and I got the usual sales flannel at the time 'oh our guys will check all that over'. I have pics of the alloys which show there condition before purchase. Golf GTD btw

Why not complain to Ford uk? I’ll bet there’s a 50 point inspection or similar that these cars supposedly get

colm_mcm

75 point inspection apparently

https://www.ford.co.uk/shop/price-and-locate/approved-used/about-approved-used

bs2014

colm_mcm wrote: »

75 point inspection apparently

https://www.ford.co.uk/shop/price-and-locate/approved-used/about-approved-used

Funnily they were the next on my list to contact. Dont think Ford would want to be doing warranty on badly prepared cars. Altho tbh i didnt bother cuz i thought the fact my car is VW and i exported it to ROI might be abit too complicated and unstraightforward for the customer service team lol

Id say I just about point 75 the full valet and even that was rough since I found some gum in the door pocketðŸ˜

colm_mcm

That’s the logical way to do this. Get onto Ford, complain that you bought a used car from a ford dealer because you read about the comprehensive inspections they do in their cars and all that. Imagine my shock when I saw the brake discs etc etc.

They give the dealer a kick in the bollix, car gets fixed and everyone’s happy.