Hypothetical "who pays" question

[paradigm]

So, yesterday I washed the car, and afterwards went to get something out of the boot. I noticed that the case I keep my Surface Pro 3 in was absolutely sodden, as was the pouch that houses my headphones (the boot carpet was also wet, but it would appear that my bag took the brunt of the ingress).

Fortunately, the tablet itself wasn't wet, however if it had of been, who would have been footing the bill?

Me?
My insurance company? (house or car)
Audi?

I'd like to think that this would have to be paid out for by someone other than myself (due to it being a water ingress failure), however I'm not 100% sure.

Like I say, hypothetical as fortunately nothing was damaged, although it does now mean that I'm going to have to get the boot seals checked.

 

[Dis86]

How old is the car?

 

[paradigm]

2 years old, well inside of warranty.

 

[Dis86]

Then you'd have a right to claim against audi for damage caused to property due to faulty parts or workmanship.

 

[Adam]

I'd like to think Audi, saving you the hassle of claiming on your insurance but I imagine that could be a bit of a battle.

 

[Will]

Tricky one really.

The cars seals will have been designed primarily to keep out water from the weather, of course the car is going to be washed during its lifetime but the level of protection that is enough to keep out the weather is going to be a lot less than that needed to keep out water if someone is being especially keen with a pressure washer! Most places will advise you not to use the pressure washer for long over panel gaps for this reason - I have seen advice from manufacturers (of cars and of pressure washers) about this.

 

[paradigm]

Tricky one really.

The cars seals will have been designed primarily to keep out water from the weather, of course the car is going to be washed during its lifetime but the level of protection that is enough to keep out the weather is going to be a lot less than that needed to keep out water if someone is being especially keen with a pressure washer! Most places will advise you not to use the pressure washer for long over panel gaps for this reason.

I only use a hose for rinsing. The pressure washer is only used for applying snowfoam/prewash, and as a result, from a distance.

For clarity, the hose used for rinsing is set to "sprinkle" not "stream" water.

 

[rhysduck]

Tricky one really.

The cars seals will have been designed primarily to keep out water from the weather, of course the car is going to be washed during its lifetime but the level of protection that is enough to keep out the weather is going to be a lot less than that needed to keep out water if someone is being especially keen with a pressure washer! Most places will advise you not to use the pressure washer for long over panel gaps for this reason - I have seen advice from manufacturers (of cars and of pressure washers) about this.

^ This.

Even water from a hose pipe can be strong enough to get past seals. Hence instructions on shampoo's to RINSE not BLAST off

 

[Will]

I only use a hose for rinsing. The pressure washer is only used for applying snowfoam/prewash, and as a result, from a distance.

For clarity, the hose used for rinsing is set to "sprinkle" not "stream" water.

I'd expect the manufacturer to pick up the bill then.

Of course what they believe you did, versus how you actually wash the car, are likely to be totally different! They'd probably argue the toss over it, say you left the boot partly open or something....such is life

 

[paradigm]

I'd expect the manufacturer to pick up the bill then.

Of course what they believe you did, versus how you actually wash the car, are likely to be totally different! They'd probably argue the toss over it, say you left the boot partly open or something....such is life

So long as I know who is "supposed" to foot the bill... I'd win

Still, like I said, technically moot as nothing was damaged... fortunately.

 

[Will]

I reckon it'd be a right headache if there was damage caused in this way. Dealer will tell you to claim on insurance most likely. Insurance will probably say its your fault somehow. Meh.

Very random purely hypothetical thread btw

 

[ADT]

I would say Audi, but I'm guessing it will be quite hard to prove?

 

[paradigm]

I would say Audi, but I'm guessing it will be quite hard to prove?

Proving it could just be a case of getting some kind of moisture reactive device, placing it in the boot, and sprinkling the car with water, no?

In front of Audi technicians if needs be.

 

[On Holiday]

Tell them you were parked on a rather inclined hill and there was heavy downpour.

 

[Simon]

Each car will have been leaked tested under much higher water flow than any 'normal hose'

 

[ADT]

Proving it could just be a case of getting some kind of moisture reactive device, placing it in the boot, and sprinkling the car with water, no?

In front of Audi technicians if needs be.

I guess you could. Take it back to them anyways and get them to sort out the seals. You got lucky that your tablet didn't get ruined!

 

[booyaka]

Surely Audi would "suggest" that the boot hadn't been shut properly or something - how could you prove otherwise?

 

[Begbie]

As above, spraying the car with water and proving that water got in the car?

 

[mark66]

I highly doubt Audi would pay for any consequential damages, however I would expect them to make right the boot so that it was water tight under the warranty.

 

[pepsilol]

If you tried getting them to pay for the tablet, Audi would laugh so hard, they'd start Rofl-ing all the way down the hill. Then they would send you a claim for new suits and shoes.