Does anyone know if there are ways to find out if damage occurred during shipping? Are there tell-tale signs, and what is the dealer required (and NOT required) to share with the buyer? I know a certain amount of damage is required to be reported to the dealer, but does the dealer need to report that to the buyer?

 

I've heard horror stories of people that found out the dealer repainted their car and never disclosed it. There were a few stories on here that were pretty bad

 

MUST read!

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ght=vdc+damage

If the car suffers damage in excess of 3% of it's value it has to be disclosed to the dealer. As I understand it, if BMW replaced the engine in your car at the VDC, that would not have to be disclosed to the dealer. This is because all BMW parts are being used and installed to BMW spec. However, repaired body damage (something on the order of the MINI's roof, not like a replaced bumper cover) would be declared to the dealer.

 

So is it being reported to the dealer so the customer can then also be told about it?

 

There is a sheet/report the dealers get on all of their cars when they come in. There are notations on the sheet that specify if there was VDC damage. Ask to see it.

 

My MA had said that if I track delivery, and it shows as sitting at the docks in the US for more than about a week to 10 days, start to worry about damage in transit.

 

Or, in my case, worry about the glove box liner being left out, and so a new one has to be shipped over from Oxford...

On the upside, I have been reassured that despite my car sitting at the VDC for 2 weeks now, it has no other damage. The VDC is not allowed to send a car down until it is "perfect."

I would imagine this is also a courtesy and expense issue, as it wouldn't be fair to send a car with issues on to the dealer and expect them to correct it. Or, more likely, for the dealer to bill BMW Corporate for the labor cost of the fix-up.

It is fairly maddening to be waiting for such a trivial item, however. I can't even think of the last time I LOOKED in the glove box of my current car!:impatient

 

It is fairly maddening to be waiting for such a trivial item, however. I can't even think of the last time I LOOKED in the glove box of my current car!:impatient


License, registration, proof of insurance....