First Car - £70 new windscreen

[robert_harper_2000]

Volkswagen Golf GL 5dr Auto for sale at Stone Cross Car Centre Rattle Road <b style="color:black;backgr ound-color:#ffff66">Stone</b> <b style="color:black;backgr ound-color:#a0ffff">Cross</b> Eastbourne East Sussex BN24 5EB

We just bought our first car, noticed a chip in the windscreen and didn't do anything about it as it wasn't a large chip. In Halfords and a company checking windscreens for free looked and said to contact our insurer.

£70 excess later.... I'm certain it was there when we got it but obviously we don't have proof and the Internet page doesn't show that much detail....

Anything I can do, or just lesson learned?

[gwc1000]

Never ever take your car to these "free" windscreen repairers at Halfords. It is not free. These people don't stand there all day for their health!

I would say that as long as the screen was not in an illegal condition when you purchased the car, you have no recourse against the dealer. You should inspect such things before you hand the money over. Proving anything now would be impossible.
You say that the chip was small, so would probably have passed it's next MoT anyway and would have been better left alone. It is surprising what is admissable for chips in windscreens.
Out of interest, was the bill £70 just to have a chip repaired? I can get a new screen fitted to a Golf for £70.

[Conniff]

£70 excess later

Must have been a new screen.

[raydetinu]

Chip repairs are usually free! to you but insuarnce pays the repairer as cheaper than replacing screen. But should have booked through the insurance company.

[robert_harper_2000]

Usual repairs free but anything in Zone A requires a new windscreen and the excess is £70....

[raydetinu]

Incorrect, faults in zone A can be repaired.
In fact only MOT failure if bigger than 5p or 10mm.

[robert_harper_2000]

really? b'stards.... I don't think they were bigger - looks like been ripped off again...