Do you let the dealer wash your car?

[Daz Auto]

I'm just wondering how many people ask their dealers NOT to wash their cars.

It had never occurred to me to ask this. However, I was just reading another forum. Someone had left their Audi into the dealers to be serviced. They specifically requested that the car was NOT washed. The car was washed and obvious damage was done to the paint which now needs a correction detail.

I detail both our cars twice a year. I noticed that VW washed my car even though it had been detailed the day before. The weather was dry and the car was spotless going in. When I collected, the car was covered in water marks. It obviously did NOT need washed but they did it anyway.

On the other forum,  people are suggesting that a sign is left in the car "DO NOT WASH". 

One of the reasons I wanted Reflex Silver as it hides swirl marks. However, my new Golf is red and I can see swirl marks on our red A3. Though I have a DA polisher now

I guess this doesn't bother most people.

[Watts]

Never, even when it has been in for bodywork. Although I hadn't asked them to crawl about inside the car in dusty overalls, so I was pi$$ed off with that My dealer has been very good so far, it is written on the job card and on the key label and so far they have complied every time.

[davyk31]

Certainly do not let the dealer wash
My cars and I have a little sign that hangs off the interior mirror reminding them as the message isn't always passed from service desk to workshop.

[SRGTD]

I'm just wondering how many people ask their dealers NOT to wash their cars.

I guess this doesn't bother most people.

I think it might bother quite a few of the forum members who'll respond to your post; especially those who are regular visitors to the Detailing section of the forum.

Do I let them wash my car? Definitely not, especially if I've recently done a full detail, which takes me a couple of days. I don't want some sponge-monkey at the dealers undoing all of my hard work.

The service advisor I usually see at my local dealers is into car detailing and he fully understands why I don't want them to wash my car with their single bucket of dirty water and grit-embedded sponge. He said with the exception of one of the guys prepares their new cars, he wouldn't let anyone at the dealership wash his car, so not a good endorsement of the abilities of the guy(s) who do the service washes.

I hang my 'do not wash' hangar from the rear view mirror, tie a 'do not wash' tag on my keys and get them to write the same on the work sheet. It's worked so far. So they're not tempted to wash it, I also try and make sure it's spotlessly clean when it goes in for service and any warranty work; not always possible though as if the weather's bad on the day I take it to the dealer, it gets dirty driving it there. 

Also, I find it easier to check a clean car for any garage-inflicted damage after they've finished working on it.

[Booth11]

No never.  Always use Do Not Wash hangers in strategic spots, on keys, plus tell the dealership in person and see they write it on the worksheet.  Plus a massive cardboard sign on the driver's seat that you have to move to get in.  Over the years the message has got through as I'm usually greeted at the desk with the words, "Ah, you're the lady who doesn't like her car being washed" which is not strictly true, lol. I'm actually thinking....I don't like my car being washed by you, but I'm quite partial to washing my car ;-)

Always send your car in clean if you can so pre service walkround is easier and easier to detect any post service damage that may have been inflicted.

On vwroc forum a few gave had dealers wash their cars despite plenty of express request not to and a few have sucessfully had dealerships cough up for pro correction details at a pro detailer of the owners choice.

[Gulfstream11]

Not done it yet with the MK7 but the others when going in for any work were washed,cleaned inside and a walk around with the person dealing with me to show no damage. Strict instructions not to wash or hoover the car, then another walk around on pick-up.
 

[Daz Auto]

I'm just wondering how many languages the DO NOT WASH signs would need to be in!

I know the cleaner in the dealership is Eastern European. Not sure about the people who wash the cars.

I was shocked by the condition of the paint on my parents new Merc. It looks like it has been cleaned with a brillo pad! They take it to an Eastern European car wash

[Jackie Treehorn]

Simple bright post-it note on the speedo works for me.

I must remember to ask them to hoover it though, i job i hate...


Cleaned a friends new Merc fresh from the factory with lots of stages so it looked nice and well prepared for the future.  within 3 weeks he started to take it to Sainsbury car park hand wash service,  Needless to say I never offered to clean it again as all the work was undone in the very first 10min car park wash.  

[CHB100]

Used too, not anymore! Due respect they're paid peanuts and have to do a lot for it, also most folks are crap and especially when it comes to cars. 

Boothy is right for sure I'll be taking mine in freshly polished and make sure PLEASE DO NOT CLEAN is on the paperwork and booking email.

Hey they might even give a fiver discount! Yeah right!

[Daz Auto]

Used too, not anymore!

... have to admit... that was me

In my defence, it is a silver car.