What's the process for paint / alignment defect correction?

[andyfox]

I'll be taking as much time as I want on collection. Given all the recent reports of issues, then I think it's only reasonable.
My drive home is around 300 miles, so I'll be looking very carefully for problems before I drive away. My nearest service centre is also about 190 miles, so I'm not inclined to be wasting 6 hours of my time driving to and fro if I don't have to.

I'm hoping that there will be some movement on the proposed Exeter service centre soon. Will make my life much easier.

 

[coatesy89]

3 Defects on mine.

2 misalignment (passenger side and boot) logged with the delivery specialist at the SC.

1 - The driver seat lumbar support button doesn't work. Passenger works fine.



Overall - its a lovely car. Shame about the little bits but I'm sure they will get fix. The Delivery specialist wasn't that proactive about organising the fix, he took some pictures on his iPad and said to schedule it via the app.

 

[ElectricJoules]

3 Defects on mine.

2 misalignment (passenger side and boot) logged with the delivery specialist at the SC.

1 - The driver seat lumbar support button doesn't work. Passenger works fine.



Overall - its a lovely car. Shame about the little bits but I'm sure they will get fix. The Delivery specialist wasn't that proactive about organising the fix, he took some pictures on his iPad and said to schedule it via the app.

Those misalignments look just like mine (apart mine was driver door). I assume loosening the mounting bolts and moving the panel will sort it.

 

[MrBadger]

Some of the road noise issues reported seem to relate to panel and roof misalignment - and missing sealant around the windows. I know many will not have a baseline to compare against, but if anyone is finding their care not as quiet as they may have been expecting, especially any annoying whistle, its worth checking panel gaps and smoothness between panels.

 

[ChrisA70]

I would definitely have taken it. The issues are very minor, attached are photos of the two worst.

View attachment 445094

View attachment 445095

They handed over your car with this dent? It looks like it’s in an awkward place, did they say this is straightforward to fix?

 

[coatesy89]

Those misalignments look just like mine (apart mine was driver door). I assume loosening the mounting bolts and moving the panel will sort it.

Just got a reply from the Service team at SC and its booked in for next Tuesday for 2 days.

 

[Roy W.]

Picked up yesterday. A friend of mine kindly took Mrs Roy W and I up to Stockport, so there were three of us able to look around the car for any defects.

We couldn’t find any alignment issues at all, all the panel gaps were very uniform, and the only paint defects we found were four small bumps in the paint on one of the rear doors.

The service manager was summoned to take a look, decided that it needed more than just the oily rag, and asked our delivery man to note them. I assume I’ll get an appointment in due course.

On the way home I was pleasantly surprised how smooth the ride was and how quiet the cabin was. We both remarked on how much better the road noise and wind noise was compared to the Kona. Also had a play with Spotify, which sounded stunning after a bit of EQ setting. Not so stunning when we lost the car’s data signal in the Yorkshire countryside, but heigh ho!

The car had also downloaded a software update over LTE, and it installed it during the night, at least so the app tells me.

So far very impressed!

 

[jerseygirl18]

I picked up my M3 yesterday, a few paint / alignment issues were noted at the time. I've now found a few more very minor issues (within the 100 mile limit I was told was available for reporting). So I've taken photos as a record.

Is it possible to email service?
If I book an appointment via the app, how does it work?
You can add details there and request an appointment. What I'd like to know is what happens when you turn up for the appointment?

a) Is it just an appointment to assess the issues?
b) Are minor issues sorted out then and there (eg a bit of buffing and polishing)?
c) If they want it all day do you get a Tesla loan car?
d) If you have to bring it back another day and leave it with them do you always get a loaner Tesla?

Wondering ...what are alignment issues related to & what are panel issues mentioned a few times by others??
Also, not looking to start a WW but why do so many peeps that have spent plenty on this car tolerate the less than perfect paint jobs? this is blowing my mind reading these msgs,

 

[DJP31]

I assume I’ll get an appointment in due course.

Glad it went well and you’re pleased .

Are you hoping/expecting them to contact you about the appointment? I think I’d be a bit more proactive than that, given their well earned reputation for rubbish organisation.

 

[curmudgeon]

I've just returned from my post-delivery model 3 service visit and would like to reassure those yet to take delivery.

My defects were admittedly minor, a few scratches, a lifting spoiler and slight issue with one wheel-arch liner. Dublin SC could not have been more accomodating. I left the car with them overnight on Thursday and they did a really good job at polishing out the scratches and removed the spoiler as requested, which I think looks much better.

If I have any advice its this:

1. Unless there is some major defect found, its ok (if a bit unconventional) to accept the car within the delivery window. After taking delivery, resist the temptation to go for a spin and take a good look over the car outside in the light and report any defects, espescially bodywork/interior defects before leaving. I reported some minor scatches when I took delivery at Heathrow on 7th August and had the appointment in the app within the hour. I changed the service venue and time within the app and Dublin contacted me a week prior for more details.

2. Take a key-card to the service appointment.

3. Inform the SC of any charge limit on your battery, Dublin charged mine higher than normal because they knew I had a long trip back up North. Not a big deal but if you have a charge limit, remind the SC.


When I arrived Dublin SC asked me if I had reported the defects at time of delivery. I said yes but the list of defects emailed to them was in fact a bit longer than just the scratch reported at delivery. Dublin sorted them all out, but I would still recommend reporting as much as possible at delivery.

I can't speak highly enough of Dublin SC. They did a really good job on my car, resolving all the issues and could not have been more patient and more helpful. In fact, during the post-work inspection, I spotted a scratch I had not previously noticed and they took the car back in and polished it out for me.

The car is now as perfect as it could be and I could not be happier.

before:



after:

 

[VT_EE]

Wondering ...what are alignment issues related to & what are panel issues mentioned a few times by others??
Also, not looking to start a WW but why do so many peeps that have spent plenty on this car tolerate the less than perfect paint jobs? this is blowing my mind reading these msgs,

This is not unique to Tesla. The difference is traditional dealers typically take care of all the defects and transportation damage before a customer ever sees the car. Tesla's less than stellar delivery service doesn't seem to do as good of a job. They are more interested in getting deliveries done and fixing any issues later on. In reality though, most Teslas are now delivered in great shape. The horror stories from 12 months ago seem to be few and far between.

 

[curmudgeon]

This is not unique to Tesla. The difference is traditional dealers typically take care of all the defects and transportation damage before a customer ever sees the car. Tesla's less than stellar delivery service doesn't seem to do as good of a job. They are more interested in getting deliveries done and fixing any issues later on. In reality though, most Teslas are now delivered in great shape. The horror stories from 12 months ago seem to be few and far between.

I could not agree more. At least this way we know what has been repaired.

I've had lengthy Porsche delivery with flowers for the wife and all the rest but the Porsche turned out to be so full of defects that were dishonestly concealed that it ended in litigation.

I like that Tesla do things differently, it may not be perfect but at least they are honest and transparent.

 

[Roy W.]

Glad it went well and you’re pleased .

Are you hoping/expecting them to contact you about the appointment? I think I’d be a bit more proactive than that, given their well earned reputation for rubbish organisation.

I think you might be right @DJP31, I’ve heard nothing yet. What do you suggest, book it as a service request through the app?

 

[DJP31]

I think you might be right @DJP31, I’ve heard nothing yet. What do you suggest, book it as a service request through the app?

Yep, exactly that and much as @curmudgeon has described above. I took screen shots of what I was putting into the service request as I wasn’t sure whether I’d actually have a record of what I’d said. I’d be brief and to the point and if you need a loan car make sure you state it clearly.

They are well intentioned but rushed off their feet and have a shambles of a back office system.

 

[jerseygirl18]

This is not unique to Tesla. The difference is traditional dealers typically take care of all the defects and transportation damage before a customer ever sees the car. Tesla's less than stellar delivery service doesn't seem to do as good of a job. They are more interested in getting deliveries done and fixing any issues later on. In reality though, most Teslas are now delivered in great shape. The horror stories from 12 months ago seem to be few and far between.

thanks for your encouragement. i was starting to be very concerned! i'm trading in a 3 yo S550 with 28,000 mi along w/ extended warranty
everyone telling me i'm nuts!!

 

[MrBadger]

your nuts

 

[jerseygirl18]

your nuts

i'm a techy geek...i know that's redundant & i'm having a Big Bday...this is what i chose...it will keep me very interested & so will the Forum! i luv all this knowledge

 

[Roy W.]

Yep, exactly that and much as @curmudgeon has described above. I took screen shots of what I was putting into the service request as I wasn’t sure whether I’d actually have a record of what I’d said. I’d be brief and to the point and if you need a loan car make sure you state it clearly.

They are well intentioned but rushed off their feet and have a shambles of a back office system.

All booked in on the app for next Thursday, although I’m expecting to be rearranged to suit them

 

[Dann76]

Its all well and good repairing the issues but they really should be done before collection. It’s not rocket science to get a car checked and prepped ready for handover before the customer sees it. Strangely enough we mostly all have day jobs and having to return a car I’ve just bought to the SC to be repaired is just a giant pain in the backside.

 

[Roy W.]

Its all well and good repairing the issues but they really should be done before collection. It’s not rocket science to get a car checked and prepped ready for handover before the customer sees it. Strangely enough we mostly all have day jobs and having to return a car I’ve just bought to the SC to be repaired is just a giant pain in the backside.

I agree completely, but this “problem” isn’t unique to Tesla. The last two new cars I’ve had (a Nissan and a Hyundai) have both had paint issues on collection. It is undoubtedly exacerbated by the fact there are so few service centres compared to, say, the network of Nissan dealers, so people have to travel further distances. Hopefully that will change as the Tesla network expands.