Just bought C Class Sports Coupe - Sunroof broken/parts flying off car?

[GDAWG10]

Just bought a great 02 Merc C Class Sports Coupe with a great spec and the panoramic sunroof.

Once I returned home I opened the sunroof using the switch. Everything was fine. Whilst it was closing, it stopped just past halfway and sort of jammed. I pressed the close button again and I heard a snap and a something fly over the windscreen. After closer inspection, a few metres in front of the car was a piece of plastic which I've uploaded.

The roof is closed, but it seems one side of the roof is sealed and tight, whilst the other side exposes a few hinges. It will only open a few inches now and I get that jamming/cracking noise.

Please take a look at the photos and let me know if you've got any ideas as to what the problem is. The dealers were good although weren't too happy as they are adamant everything was working. They asked me to take it back on Monday so they can investigate and said that we'll discuss the next steps after the problem is diagnosed.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/11/imageexx.jpg

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/651/image1znt.jpg

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/194/image2czl.jpg

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/171/image3qf.jpg

 

[GDAWG10]

Sorry to be a pain, but giving this a bump. Any comments? The dealer doesn't think the plastic that snapped off in the first image would affect the roof mechanism but I'm dumbfounded!

 

[trapperjohn]

Sorry cannot help but hope you get it sorted soon.

 

[GDAWG10]

No worries. Thanks for replying.

I was playing around with the car's gadgets once I got home from the dealer, and I am questioning whether I did anything wrong...but I'm not sure you can "damage" a sunroof from just pressing the botton to open and close it.

It's just a shame because it's ruined the excitement somewhat knowing that if I want it fixed, it could be potentially a very large/expensive job as I've read regarding the panoramic sunroofs. Maybe it's just one of those things that comes with age, although the car is ten years old, it only has 39,000 miles and has had one MB enthusiast owner.

 

[trapperjohn]

I love to play with gadgets on any new to me car. I usually make a horlicks of something beyond my control. A window will go down but not back up. The sunroof is always a crossed fingers moments. Will it fully close once its all the way back (though on my 124 you can manually wind them back home)

As you say it may be an age related thing and you may just get it sorted by the team on here. Not many people on the forum tonight they must be away out in the party season.

 

[GDAWG10]

Yes, it fully closes now, but it seems slightly exposed as you can see in picture number 2. You can see some sort of hinge whereas on the other side it's fully sealed. Not sure it's that big a deal, but it kind of is if you've just spent £5000 on a car if you know what I mean.

 

[LTD]

Dealer fix under warranty if you've just bought it.

End of story. Just be polite.

 

[GDAWG10]

Thanks LTD. Seems you replied on the other forum as well. Thanks for your input.

This is the email I got from the dealer yesterday.

You need to get that looked at, as it was all working fine. 100%

The warranty will not cover a plastic clip breaking.

Can you find the clip and save it for me to look at.

Perhaps you could come back here, so we can have a look. Should be no reason why a clip would ruin the roof mechanism.

 

[LTD]

This is the email I got from the dealer yesterday.

I would ask the dealer to state EXACTLY what is going to be covered by the warranty - and state that in writing.

 

[alistairgd]

Basically, you bought the car and part of it failed the same day. It was unlucky, but it is the dealer who is responsible for the repair. Hopefully it's a quick easy fix or they might be tempted to argue the toss.

Stay calm and polite, but insist they fix it. Good luck.

 

[GDAWG10]

I would ask the dealer to state EXACTLY what is going to be covered by the warranty - and state that in writing.

The warranty is from customer protect and is the gold package. It was included in the price. A quick Google search will tell you that the company will rarely pay out and say everything is wear and tear. Seem like a nightmare, but like I said, it was included as part of the deal, and I only was told about it when collecting the car and making the main payment.

The guys at the dealer seem like good guys and specialise in luxury and prestige cars and they did say things such as - any problems what so ever bring it back and we'll sort it out but you should have no problems etc.

I think they're being a bit cagey at the moment until they look at it and get it looked at by their garage on Monday because if it's a expensive repair than they obviously won't want to pay, but if it's a small job I've got a feeling they'll get it done no problem.

 

[mct_cars]

You don't need a warranty to get this fixed - you are covered under your consumer rights - you bought something and it broke the same day. It's the supplying dealer who needs to fix it.

As above, be polite and ask for them to fix it. Before you do that, read the section below on faulty goods:-

Citizens Advice - Common problems with products


The stats on calls to Consumer Direct for second hand cars v everything else is frightening:-

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/Campaigns/KYCR-strategy.pdf

 

[mct_cars]

Duplicate Post

 

[grober]

The panoramic roof is an extremely complex piece of kit and from your description it sounds as if something has definitely broken. Repairs on these roofs can be extremely expensive. I'm not sure where you stand legally since it might be argued you "broke" the roof by trying to close it while it was jammed?? [ just playing devils advocate here you understand] Because this is almost certainly a very expensive repair the dealer will try everything to get out of paying for it would be my guess unless it turns out to be trivial. That's why he has asked you to get it appraised to see exactly what's happened which will then govern his response. ie. £80 no problem £1500 no chance


What the law says

The law says that any item you buy from a trader must be:

of satisfactory quality
fit for purpose
match any description given.

If it isn’t, you can usually get one of the following:

a repair
a replacement
your money back (a refund)
some of your money back.

You will not have these rights if:

there is nothing wrong with the goods – you have just changed your mind about wanting them
you examined the goods, or a sample of the goods, when you were buying them, and the fault you want to complain about was so obvious that you should have noticed it
the trader pointed out the defect that you now want to complain about
you have damaged the goods yourself
the problem is the result of normal wear and tear
the goods have lasted for as long as could reasonably be expected.

One question that might be asked-- Did you try operating the sunroof a couple of times before buying the car and was it OK?

First of all you need to get the car independently appraised by an MB dealer/specialist/bodyshop who knows these cars to determine exactly what's wrong and the cost of repair . Dependent on the result you may then wish to take expert legal advice as to what redress if any you have.

 

[GDAWG10]

The panoramic roof is an extremely complex piece of kit and from your description it sounds as if something has definitely broken. Repairs on these roofs can be extremely expensive. I'm not sure where you stand legally since it might be argued you "broke" the roof by trying to close it while it was jammed?? [ just playing devils advocate here you understand] Because this is almost certainly a very expensive repair the dealer will try everything to get out of paying for it would be my guess unless it turns out to be trivial. That's why he has asked you to get it appraised to see exactly what's happened which will then govern his response. ie. £80 no problem £1500 no chance


What the law says

The law says that any item you buy from a trader must be:

of satisfactory quality
fit for purpose
match any description given.

If it isn’t, you can usually get one of the following:

a repair
a replacement
your money back (a refund)
some of your money back.

You will not have these rights if:

there is nothing wrong with the goods – you have just changed your mind about wanting them
you examined the goods, or a sample of the goods, when you were buying them, and the fault you want to complain about was so obvious that you should have noticed it
the trader pointed out the defect that you now want to complain about
you have damaged the goods yourself
the problem is the result of normal wear and tear
the goods have lasted for as long as could reasonably be expected.

One question that might be asked-- Did you try operating the sunroof a couple of times before buying the car and was it OK?

First of all you need to get the car independently appraised by an MB dealer/specialist/bodyshop who knows these cars to determine exactly what's wrong and the cost of repair . Dependent on the result you may then wish to take expert legal advice as to what redress if any you have.

I didn't try to open the sunroof before buying the car. It was raining both times! One thing that I am hoping is it's not major simply because the part that came flying off looks like a cheap piece of plastic rather than a spring or something more sturdy. If I am simply guessing, I think as far as they are concerned it was working 100% and it probably was. I didn't do anything wrong, maybe it's just one of those things with age, not used recently, the cold etc....but i'm probably the exact same to the dealers point of view. If it's a cheap repair i.e £80, I don't mind paying and getting it done, if it's expensive then I obviously don't want to fit the bill.

Should I continue with the plan of taking it back to the dealer tommorow for them to take a look at it and then possibly take it with them to the garage they use, or is it worth postponing that, and getting it checked out first myself?

 

[redbaron]

I would reject it. Those early pano roof'd 203 coupes are troublesome.. if they dont break they leak in my experience. Which is a real shame as they are lovely to travel in.

 

[GDAWG10]

I would reject it. Those early pano roof'd 203 coupes are troublesome.. if they dont break they leak in my experience. Which is a real shame as they are lovely to travel in.

One side is now slightly higher than the other side, and I'm concerned about future leaks unless it's sorted. I want to get everything sealed, tight and fixed and then I won't touch it.

 

[Ian_Mac]

I would reject it. Those early pano roof'd 203 coupes are troublesome.. if they dont break they leak in my experience. Which is a real shame as they are lovely to travel in.

And rattle which is one of the reasons I sold mine.

 

[grober]

I would be inclined to get it checked yourself first but its a difficult one because you want to keep the seller onside if possible. Could you take a trip down to your local MB dealer/specialist first thing Monday morning and ask their service /bodyshop manager to have a "quick look"- don't explain your immediate situation but dangle the prospect of a possible repair in the future in front of them - and take the bit with you I'm pretty sure they will have a good idea what's happened. Then armed with that knowledge visit the dealer you bought it from in the afternoon.

 

[mxs]

Good advice given by grober.