Am I the most unlucky person....

[Abb]

Just get a carbon wrap over the bonnet!
On a serious note, rather than get all worked up and stressing over a conversation which hasn't taken place yet, I would contact the seller in person and explain the issue.
The dealer may not be aware themselves and do all they can help to help resolve the issue, so all your research and stress was in vain. After all the previous owner may have had this done and then 'got rid', in the same manner that you are being advised to do on here!
On the flip side, the dealer may not want to listen and fob you off at which point I would seek advice regarding your rights as a consumer, again plenty of good advice on here.

Either way, if it is the car you adore (whilst I appreciate it has taken the shine off ownership experience) and searched long and hard to find, get the bonnet resprayed by a reputable bodyshop, put it behind you and enjoy the car

(Getting rid, you would have to have it repaired anyway before selling and losing even more money, or trade it as it is, at an even bigger loss I would imagine! Now that for me is a lose/lose situation)

 

[Amy]

Not necessarily, another member on here had his W204 resprayed and it’s been perfect ever since. @MancMike

Really?
Ive had 4 sleepless nights now, debating with myself what to do.
Just suppose the seller paid me back what I paid for it, i still stand to lose over 1k for work ive had done and other costs, and I adore the car.
Why the feck does Red have to be such a problem?

 

[clk320x]

Really?

Yeah, I’ll show him this thread he will be the best suited to advise.

Mercedes have a habit of not being able to paint a car properly, first rust now this.

 

[Amy]

Given that the area that is currently affected has actually been resprayed at some point in the past (according to your detailing chap)... I don't think this issue relates to the MB blistering red paint problem. Looks like whoever painted the bonnet simply did a poor job.

I had the bonnet on my previous W203 resprayed by Tony Fawkes in Park Royal, and they did a brilliant job (albeit Obsidian Black, not red).

I think that if you get the bonnet professionally resprayed, the car will be fine.

The only remaining question to my mind is who will pay for it...

MB most likely won't be interested, because the resprayed bonnet will not be covered by the new car paint warranty anyway.

The seller might be persuaded to accept liability, but even if they do then they will likely want to arrange the respray themselves, potentially implying another low-cost poor quality respray.

So if the car is otherwise perfect and you want to keep it, then my advice is to approach the seller, see what they say, and in the event that they do accept liability, try negotiating a one-off settlement pay (or partial contribution) and then take the car away and have the bonnet resprayed at a reputable body shop that you trust, and who will provide a warranty for their work.

This is about where I am now. Having asked all my mates ( I only have male mates cos they talk sense), the consensus is to get it to a paint shop this week and see what they advise. I will go to MB first, not because I think for one moment they will offer, but the input will be of interrest to me. Then to a good local bodywork shop who do a lot of insurance company work, and see what they can do. Then I will contact the seller

 

[Amy]

Just get a carbon wrap over the bonnet!
On a serious note, rather than get all worked up and stressing over a conversation which hasn't taken place yet, I would contact the seller in person and explain the issue.
The dealer may not be aware themselves and do all they can help to help resolve the issue, so all your research and stress was in vain. After all the previous owner may have had this done and then 'got rid', in the same manner that you are being advised to do on here!
On the flip side, the dealer may not want to listen and fob you off at which point I would seek advice regarding your rights as a consumer, again plenty of good advice on here.

Either way, if it is the car you adore (whilst I appreciate it has taken the shine off ownership experience) and searched long and hard to find, get the bonnet resprayed by a reputable bodyshop, put it behind you and enjoy the car

(Getting rid, you would have to have it repaired anyway before selling and losing even more money, or trade it as it is, at an even bigger loss I would imagine! Now that for me is a lose/lose situation)

Wise words.
Honest Johns web page has chapter and verse on all matters Legal pertaining to the consumer credit act and the sale of goods act. One just needs a good stiff G&T whilst going through all the fluff, and even then it needs reading thrice to pick out the bones
Im a Bird of little brain

 

[markjay]

..Then to a good local bodywork shop who do a lot of insurance company work...

Those who do a lot of work for insurance companies will lilkey be the cheapest but not necessarily the best.......