Me, SEAT and the Motor Ombudsman

andrew_ww

Active Member
Nov 15, 2007
130
0
Hi,

So, I’m after the collective wisdom of this forum. For many months I have had a disagreement with SEAT. Basically, my LED headlights are covered in small cracks. SEAT has consistently refused to fix under warranty for numerous reasons. Basically, if they’ve written a TPI you can forget getting it fixed under warranty.

Here us a summary of the events so far:

1. SEAT UK sent a picture of the damaged headlights by me. The reason I did this is that I wanted to gain pre-authority for warranty work. Rejected by SEAT UK on the basis that the headlights had been subjected to’ external factors’.
2. Car undertakes a service and MOT at SEAT Dealer #1. During which they acknowledge the head lights appear to have failed – They believe the damage to be internal. They request permission to execute a warranty replacement of both the headlights. SEAT UK refuse permission on the basis of a TPI which states that the head lights are sealed units but do get dust inside the lens.
3. I approach an independent organisation which specialises in head light refurbishments. They confirm both headlights are fractured and provide a report.
4. I take the car into another SEAT Dealer #2 they look and agree that the lights both appear to be fractured as well. They take several pictures and go to SEAT UK to again request permission to replace both headlights under warranty
5. SEAT UK again ignores the recommendation of their own dealers by stating yet another TPI that the damage has been caused by unsuitable cleaning materials.

Totally frustrated by this I raised a compliant with the motor Ombudsman. To my surprise SEAT has stuck to their original position of its dusts / feature and therefore replacement would be pointless because it would just re-occur. The conclusion of this mediation is that the complaint cannot be upheld because of the two disparate contentions (#1 SEATs ‘its dust’ versus #2 headlight specialists ‘its fractured’)

So now after months of aggravation I now have 3 choices
1. Accept decision and cough up for the replacement led headlights (best part of £2k)
2. Leave the headlights, but have trouble selling the vehicle
3. Pay for the ‘approved’ independent engineering report (£200) which may result in the complaint being upheld

I’ve attached a photo was shows the damage.



Really annoyed at SEAT’s lack of customer service, was pretty much as it sounds, don’t like our decision then take it up with Ombudsman.

What should I do, I have 5 days to provide further evidence to the Ombudsman or its finished. Either way I’ll never buy another SEAT again.

Cheers.
 
Last edited:

Deleted member 103408

Guest
VAG dont want to open the gates on more people complaining about the lights....

I understand the TPI on people using bad stuff causing issues but what sort of cleaning material do you have to use (as you only use soap and water) to cause this sort of fracture (and stress you don't use pressure washers or boiling hot water (as these are the only thing I could see causing this issue)
 

JACUPRA280

Active Member
Jun 18, 2015
932
55
Somewhere
Hi,

So, I’m after the collective wisdom of this forum. For many months I have had a disagreement with SEAT. Basically, my LED headlights are covered in small cracks. SEAT has consistently refused to fix under warranty for numerous reasons. Basically, if they’ve written a TPI you can forget getting it fixed under warranty.

Here us a summary of the events so far:

1. SEAT UK sent a picture of the damaged headlights by me. The reason I did this is that I wanted to gain pre-authority for warranty work. Rejected by SEAT UK on the basis that the headlights had been subjected to’ external factors’.
2. Car undertakes a service and MOT at SEAT Dealer #1. During which they acknowledge the head lights appear to have failed – They believe the damage to be internal. They request permission to execute a warranty replacement of both the headlights. SEAT UK refuse permission on the basis of a TPI which states that the head lights are sealed units but do get dust inside the lens.
3. I approach an independent organisation which specialises in head light refurbishments. They confirm both headlights are fractured and provide a report.
4. I take the car into another SEAT Dealer #2 they look and agree that the lights both appear to be fractured as well. They take several pictures and go to SEAT UK to again request permission to replace both headlights under warranty
5. SEAT UK again ignores the recommendation of their own dealers by stating yet another TPI that the damage has been caused by unsuitable cleaning materials.

Totally frustrated by this I raised a compliant with the motor Ombudsman. To my surprise SEAT has stuck to their original position of its dusts / feature and therefore replacement would be pointless because it would just re-occur. The conclusion of this mediation is that the complaint cannot be upheld because of the two disparate contentions (#1 SEATs ‘its dust’ versus #2 headlight specialists ‘its fractured’)

So now after months of aggravation I now have 3 choices
1. Accept decision and cough up for the replacement led headlights (best part of £2k)
2. Leave the headlights, but have trouble selling the vehicle
3. Pay for the ‘approved’ independent engineering report (£200) which may result in the complaint being upheld

I’ve attached a photo was shows the damage.



Really annoyed at SEAT’s lack of customer service, was pretty much as it sounds, don’t like our decision then take it up with Ombudsman.

What should I do, I have 5 days to provide further evidence to the Ombudsman or its finished. Either way I’ll never buy another SEAT again.

Cheers.

With this complaint already reaching the Ombudsman, I am surprised that you have not requested the assistance of a consumer lawyer. They will be able to help you far better than anyone here, unless they are of course a consumer lawyer or consumer law expert.

I would pay the £200 fee to a lawyer to look into the case. **** the Ombudsman. A lawyer will refer to past cases in comms with SEAT. SEAT will back down when a lawyer annhilates them.
 
Last edited:

cupra14

Active Member
Aug 31, 2017
335
63
England
Sadly looks a bit tough to take to court without a lawyer (and expert's report).

I'm surprised//disappointed at the Ombudsman's stance bearing in mind the report from an expert. Judicial review might be worthwhile but again looks tough to DIY.
 

niallain

Active Member
Apr 9, 2017
273
53
Cardiff
Might be worth reaching out to some news outlets.

They love stories like there where the consumer is affected, have multiple sources confirming the issue yet the manufacturer won't do anything about it.
Some bad press might sway SEAT to do something.
 

cupra14

Active Member
Aug 31, 2017
335
63
England
After more thought... if you could get something in writing from a dealer then your court case would be better. The point being that they've actually seen the problem first hand rather than just photos. With the report as well, chances would be better.

To win you basically need to persuade a judge you're above 50% of being right (unlike a criminal case which is a much higher bar).
 
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