I think when you spend money on a brand new car, especially one that purports to be from a quality brand, you have a right to expect a perfect paint finish from new.

In your circumstances, I would write a letter to the supplying dealer (to the Sales Controller or Dealer Principal) outlining your concern, saying you will allow their designated paint/body shop one attempt at getting a perfect finish.

In this letter you will advise them that if the paint finish is not up to the expectations of a reasonable person for a car with 200 miles on the clock, then you will invoke the Sale of Goods Act and ask them for a refund for the car or a direct replacement.

A bit drastic, perhaps, but it will show them you know your position and that you are serious. After all, the last thing you want is for someone to de-value your car as a trade-in in three years time because of the poor paint finish on the rear bumper.

Hope this helps and do return to tell us your progress.

Don't forget that your contract of sale is with the VW dealer, not the body shop, so the onus is on the VW dealer to make sure you are satisfied after any repair.

Time I think to be realistic.

You have chosen to buy a car from a supplier which has been identified by many on this Forum as being one which falls far short of the trading integrity reasonably expected of them.

Your car can only be "repaired" out of the original factory and in the UK. There is therefore something of a lottery involved as to the quality of the final result.

By the time you have shared road space for this car with the others on this planet for a few years, your car will not have its original appearance.

Leave it alone, reflect upon your choice of supplier and buy a product from some other maker next time - maybe a competitor, beginning with "T".

659.

Believe it or not, reputable suppliers do this for you as the vehicle is built.

659.

I've never bought a new car, although I've had several nearly new ones. I always get a sense of relief when I've somehow managed (never deliberately!) to put the first scratch on one. As I typed that I realised that one of the disadvantages of having a company car must be the necessity to keep it pristine.

VW UK got their in the end.

Great result.

Just a shame that initially VW and the dealer were not interested in solving the problem and that you had to have the trouble of a proper paint inspection via Germany.

I promised to update the forum on this subject.

VW UK were sympathetic but not a lot of help initially. The Retailer just offered a re-spray under warranty.

I wrote to the parent company in Germany and they passed it on to the executive office of VW UK Ltd., In turn, they arranged for a paint inspection to be carried out by an organisation called PVWi (Paint, Volkswagen Inspection). This confirmed the blemish and found another five caused, and I quote, by "uneven base coat which affected lay down".

The inspector also suggested I try to get the vehicle replaced as no body shop, however good, can replicate the factory paint finish at point of manufacturer.

The good news is that VW have now agreed to supply me with a new vehicle to the same spec - namely a 5 door, Golf Series Seven, 1.4TSi, Reflex Silver with the additional options fitted to the original car.

So, thanks for all your advice. A happy ending but it took time!!

I am in Australia and have a similar problem with paint blemishes on a new Golf 7 110.

Could you please let me have details of the Volkswagen folk you contacted at the VW home Office in Germany.

I appear to have similar issues with my Golf in Reflex Silver.

You mention that PVWi found five other blemishes. Can you advise in what areas.

My car appears to be affected under the rear stop lights/rear bumper, front bumper, inside door frames and the bonnet. What I find frustrating is that it depends on the light/sun glare on the paintwork and which direction I view the affected area. VW customer services on the advice of their bodyshop say there is no claim under warranty.

Thanks