Do you let the dealer wash your car?

[hog_hedge]

No chance, they haven't got the time or the tools to do a proper job. I wouldn't want my wax stripped by the strong TFR's that they use.

[mark64uk]

I didn't even let the dealer prep the car it was delivered to me with the factory covers still on it !

[Daz Auto]

I didn't even let the dealer prep the car it was delivered to me with the factory covers still on it !

Though about that, but it could lead to a dispute if you find a problem with the paint.

My dealer was not surprised when I asked to prep the car myself. Though he said I was only the second person to ask.

[hog_hedge]

I didn't even let the dealer prep the car it was delivered to me with the factory covers still on it !

Though about that, but it could lead to a dispute if you find a problem with the paint.

My dealer was not surprised when I asked to prep the car myself. Though he said I was only the second person to ask.

The dealership removed the wraps on my car to have a quick inspection of the paint but that's all they did. I picked it up dirty and prepped it on my drive rather than doing it myself at the dealership, that way I could take my time and spread it over two days.

[SRGTD]

I didn't even let the dealer prep the car it was delivered to me with the factory covers still on it !

Though about that, but it could lead to a dispute if you find a problem with the paint.

My dealer was not surprised when I asked to prep the car myself. Though he said I was only the second person to ask.

The dealership removed the wraps on my car to have a quick inspection of the paint but that's all they did. I picked it up dirty and prepped it on my drive rather than doing it myself at the dealership, that way I could take my time and spread it over two days.

I think I'll be asking the dealer not to prep my car next time I change. There are probably pros and cons to whether you do it at the dealers or at home;

• at the dealers; probably easier to get any issues resolved if you find any paintwork/ bodywork problems while you're prepping it, but I think I'd feel under pressure to get finished, especially if it was a peak time such as registration plate change time.
• at home; I think this would be my preference - being able to take my time and work in familiar surroundings and having everything I need at hand. However, if you find any paint/bodywork blemishes or imperfections, it could be your word against the dealers and harder to get them rectified under warranty. Makes it all the more important to thoroughly inspect the car when you collect it.

[Restlessnative]

I'm only coming up for my second service.They can wash it and hoover it as i can't be bothered.
They 'washed' it last year and gave it a hoover.Token gesture i would say looking at the results.They shouldn't bother offering this 'service' if they themselves can't be arsed to do it.
Totally agree with everyone who says 'don't touch'.
Some of these garages are particularly good at dragging gritty wet hoses across your pristine bonnet.Not had any problems with VW yet.
Good point from Booth.Have it nice and clean before it goes in.So much easier to see what they have been up to.

[Booth11]

I collected mine unprepped by dealer. They were instructed to remove the wraps but leave all glue residue on, marker pen etc.  They were great about it and have had many similar requests from like minded peopele. Drove it home and gave it a good detail. Paint was perfect. 

[buddfridge]

I am as bad as anyone so I ask them not to wash, I also park it well away from other cars and ask them to do the same after the service, this stood me well on a three series once as we did the usual walk around and do not clean but I also requested not to park in between cars, anyway after work i went to pick it up and to my horror it was parked right between cars and had a dent and paint chip on the contour line of the rear door...I really was not happy but they did agree it was their fault and after a botched first attempt they did get the second right with a full side respray.

I did also prep my black gtI pp myself but I am not sure I would do it again as I had five paint defects, two dings one bumper bulge as if it had been pushed on to an unscrewed screw and two tiny flecks under the paint, I had my pdr guy around next day and he took one of the dents out a ten pence size in the bonnet...actually be said it was not a dent but some sort of recess in the paint perfectly round, I asked if I should return to the garage and he said no need...twenty mins later it was completely perfect as for the other one it was so small i only found it a week later on the side of the roof above the rear door, pdr guy could not get any tools to it as it had a sub frame underneath.

I actually sold the car 11 months on and have just got a white gti pp same millage 6 months older for the same money..no 19" wheels though, it does have lots of swirl marks though so I have got some work cut out but it should polish up nicely ...just a shame after buying the first gti new and putting all the prep work in deep down i knew I had made a mistake or just been unlucky.

[SRGTD]

buddfridge, that's the one thing that would put me off taking the car away from the dealer unprepped; finding paint or bodywork damage after you've left the dealer's premises, and the potential hassle of getting the dealer to agree it was there from the outset and rectifying it.

The dealer did prep my current car and did an OK-ish job; not perfect but I could live with their efforts. I did find an imperfection in the paintwork the first time I washed the car though. The dealer was happy to rectify it but because of it's location it's not really noticeable, and I didn't want part of my (then) new car repainted with the risk of paint shade mismatch so I've left it as it is.

[MK6-Fan]

I never let them wash my car. I don't trust them as it is and always leave a 'Do Not Wash' sign in the car so that it can't be misunderstood. I also ask them to write it on the job card and the key tags too just for good measure.

I think I am the only one who does this here, but I always put my car in dirty (bodywork noticeable and wheels) and that way for sure I know if it has been washed or not as it would be obvious if I returned and it was gleaming!

Whereas like a lot of people here, if I put it in detailed and shiny then there's nothing to say that they won't have washed that too as they have been known to wash even clean cars that go in and how would you know?