Bonnet alignment

[Grumpy stumpy]

Am I being unreasonable?

Bought my brand new Rav in September and wasn’t until two days later noticed the bonnet was out of alignment, phoned Steven Eagle and sent them some pictures, they agreed wasn’t right so when it went back in for dog guard to be fitted two weeks later they had a go at adjusting it but said wasn’t 100% so wanted it to go to a Toyota body shop and warranty claim put in. I got a call from S. Eagle to say it would be collected and taken to body shop so I said where and was told Stansted some 200 mile round trip and not by low loader driven by someone I don’t know, car with less than 600 miles on, and then found out it was going to a company call Essex auto spray not Toyota . Wasn’t happy and requested low loader at least, Toyota head office are now saying as a good will I can drive it myself and they will pay for the fuel as it’s not a manufacturing defect ! Arrived from factory like it, they also confirmed nothing happened to it in transit from the factory , it’s better but not perfect so not happy and no idea what to do , shocked to be fair. This is how it was .

[Dippy]

Can you find a nearby body shop that will repair to Toyota standard? I don’t know their criteria but they might accept if you suggest an alternative. 

[Grumpy stumpy]

Have asked that question and been told my nearest one is the one they suggested, spoke to my local dealer 3 miles away and they don’t have a repairer they use and said Toyota won’t cover it if it goes anywhere else other than a Toyota body shop . Steven eagle are an hour from me in Ipswich and they did use a body shop in Woodbridge as did my local dealer but were not very good so stopped using them . I find it hard to believe it left the factory like that 

[Iain_M]

Can you not reject the car? I think the law in this country is on your side.

[Parts-King]

11 minutes ago, Iain_M said:

Can you not reject the car? I think the law in this country is on your side.

No. You have to give them the opportunity to put it right first, I would be speaking with the dealer principle first along with Toyota

[TonyHSD]

This bonnet looks like defective. The fact that readjust did not help pints towards that.
The only option here to get it right is to replace the bonnet with brand new one in matching colour. This is a dealer job in my opinion.  
The bonnet can be painted by any body shop, wrapped properly and send to the nearest dealer who can fit to the car.
Toyota had announced publicly few years ago that due to the parts shortages and supply chain issues they will use parts that will be rejected in previous manufacturing process before lockdown and before everything was disrupted. Your case could be as a result of all that. Just my thoughts. 

[Bper]

It certainly must be frustrating having a new car milage added to by some 200 miles through no fault of your own and when it is clearly a manufacturing problem.

However the two offers to rectify this defect both entail adding milage to the vehicle as they are not prepared to pay for it to be trailered.

IMO I would do what @TonyHSD has recommended and speak to the dealer and ask if the bonnet can be removed and a new one ordered and fitted by the dealer. If they say a new bonnet will not be required but the body shop will reshape and respray this one then ask them to remove it and send and return by courier. 

Should they refuse and are adamant that the only options are the first two offered then accept the one to be picked up and returned by them.You can ask for a courtesy car and push them for a full tank of petrol upon the return as compensation for the added milage and inconvenience.You can only try.

 

 

[Grumpy stumpy]

I was first told it was going to a central hub Toyota body shop and any dealer around the country would send there repair there, that was a lie as found out it is just an Toyota approved body shop, but like I said my local dealer won’t use there approved body shop as are poor ! I can pay £880 for a low loader but toyota will only cover my petrol as a good will, problem I have is I love the car still not done a 1000 miles yet but every time I walk past it I notice it . Steven Eagle Ipswich have phoned me a few times with pressure from Toyota GB but say only option is it has to go to Stansted and be driven ..end of ! Not happening. Everything else, wings, bumper , lights look inline , I have replied again back to Toyota GB and awaiting the answer again but still can’t believe they say it’s not a manufacturing fault , just wished I noticed it straight away when collected and not two days later .

[Grumpy stumpy]

My last reply yesterday !

[Derek.w]

On 11/29/2023 at 4:21 PM, Grumpy stumpy said:

Am I being unreasonable?

Bought my brand new Rav in September and wasn’t until two days later noticed the bonnet was out of alignment, phoned Steven Eagle and sent them some pictures, they agreed wasn’t right so when it went back in for dog guard to be fitted two weeks later they had a go at adjusting it but said wasn’t 100% so wanted it to go to a Toyota body shop and warranty claim put in. I got a call from S. Eagle to say it would be collected and taken to body shop so I said where and was told Stansted some 200 mile round trip and not by low loader driven by someone I don’t know, car with less than 600 miles on, and then found out it was going to a company call Essex auto spray not Toyota . Wasn’t happy and requested low loader at least, Toyota head office are now saying as a good will I can drive it myself and they will pay for the fuel as it’s not a manufacturing defect ! Arrived from factory like it, they also confirmed nothing happened to it in transit from the factory , it’s better but not perfect so not happy and no idea what to do , shocked to be fair. This is how it was .

Any reason given why it was not picked up on a PDI before delivery?.

[Grumpy stumpy]

That’s a good point not thought about that or asked the question but will speak to them about that thanks.