Autoglass and quality of replacement screen

Howard

Howard

Howard

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Hi all,

My mum's car had a new windscreen a couple of weeks ago because hers developed a nice big crack in it.

Autoglass fitted a seemingly aftermarket screen, manufactured by "Fy".

Quite literally a week later, a small stone flung up and hit it, which left a little chip, right in front of the driver's field of view. Autoglass were called out to repair it, but the guy had to abort since a crack was developing as he was trying to fix it, and the crack is now about 15mm either side of the chip.

Is this aftermarket glass crap quality? Are we likely to have any recourse whatsoever with AG since it seemed to damage so easily and so soon, or is my mum going to have to suck it up and pay another £75 for another new screen?

Sorry if this is a silly question. I've had no experience with replacement windscreens personally.

Thanks.
 
I don't know about your situation, but glass companies usually source them from the manufacturers that make the original glass themselves. My dad had one of his windscreen replaced some time ago, it's a Korean car and the replacement window was made by the same company called Hankuk or something.
 
Sounds like your mum was unlucky and had 2 glass strikes in quick succession.

I went 7 years without a replacement windscreen then had 3 in 1 year.

Replacement glass might be sourced from a different manufacturer but must meet original car manufacturers specification IIRC.
 
The glass autoglass and other windscreen companies use isn't normally the same quality as OEM glass. OEMs require the glass to meet a certain spec which is normaly a little tougher and less likely to both chip and crack. The same manufacturer can make it but they make them to different specs depending on the price.

On top of that a replacement windscreen can never be fitted the same as OEM as the recese isnt clean for the new sealant and many screens are fitted from the factory by a robotic assisted arms meaning they are placed perfectly on new sealant into the new body. A couple of guys on your drive will never replicate that, no matter how good they are.
 
Had a stone chip on my BMW 3 Series a few months back. So i called Auto Glass.

They sent a man out who turned up in a green and yellow van without any company markings:eek:

He began working on the stone chip, he filled the crack with what ever they use then proceeded to put a LIGHTER on the inside of my wind screen!!!!!!!:eek::eek::eek:

I said what the heck are you doing?

He said he was expanding the filler in the crack!!

Then as i thought would happen.....the crack expanded right across my windscreen:(

The numpty then said sorry about that.

So i had to wait 3 more days for the real Auto Glass representative to turn up with the correct equipment to replace the whole windscreen.

So be advised if you ever see the green and yellow van turn up send him away.
 
Autoglass have been shocking since they shut down their fitting centers and "re-structured" the company. Avoid!

Dont let anyone fit non-OEM spec glass though, or it will most likely be inferior quality.
 
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The windscreens should still be to OEM spec/standard.

I doubt they AG will replace for free, I don't know but I'd expect to pay the £75 excess again.
 
rapid64k said:
Had a stone chip on my BMW 3 Series a few months back. So i called Auto Glass.

They sent a man out who turned up in a green and yellow van without any company markings:eek:

He began working on the stone chip, he filled the crack with what ever they use then proceeded to put a LIGHTER on the inside of my wind screen!!!!!!!:eek::eek::eek:

I said what the heck are you doing?

He said he was expanding the filler in the crack!!

Then as i thought would happen.....the crack expanded right across my windscreen:(

The numpty then said sorry about that.

So i had to wait 3 more days for the real Auto Glass representative to turn up with the correct equipment to replace the whole windscreen.

So be advised if you ever see the green and yellow van turn up send him away.
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What a renegade!
 
Dandle said:
On top of that a replacement windscreen can never be fitted the same as OEM as the recese isnt clean for the new sealant and many screens are fitted from the factory by a robotic assisted arms meaning they are placed perfectly on new sealant into the new body. A couple of guys on your drive will never replicate that, no matter how good they are.
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Agree with this - (the bodyshell is likely subject to less distortion, a factory will have controlled environment for the sealant to set, and any imperfections should be spotted by QA), but with good fitters it will be unnoticeable. All depends on the experience and skill of the fitter, at the of the day they are only human, and we all make mistakes.



Dandle said:
The glass autoglass and other windscreen companies use isn't normally the same quality as OEM glass. OEMs require the glass to meet a certain spec which is normaly a little tougher and less likely to both chip and crack. The same manufacturer can make it but they make them to different specs depending on the price.
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Don't really agree with this though - whilst there are lower cost (i.e. not OEM - pattern parts if you will) replacement windows available for certain cars, the majority of glass is made in the same factory, at the same time, using the same genuine moulds and the same materials.

The only difference between a manufacturer branded Window and an OEM literally is the logo being etched.

Other than the four rings logo on a Saint-Gobain Sekurit Audi windscreen, there is no difference to a non Audi branded Saint-Gobain Sekurit windscreen. Part numbers are the same, the pattern on the window is the same, the glass is the same colour.
 
I always insist on OEM glass being fitted to my cars. Every time the insurance company initially says no, but after speaking to supervisors etc it is authorised.

Had some pilkington glass fitted to an old Golf many years ago and it was nothing like the original in terms of quality.

If you have comprehensive insurance then it is your right to ask for OEM glass. I have even heard of insurance companies paying for the car manufacturer to replace it, although that would probably quite hard to get authorised due to costs.
 
Type_R said:
I always insist on OEM glass being fitted to my cars. Every time the insurance company initially says no, but after speaking to supervisors etc it is authorised.

Had some pilkington glass fitted to an old Golf many years ago and it was nothing like the original in terms of quality.

If you have comprehensive insurance then it is your right to ask for OEM glass. I have even heard of insurance companies paying for the car manufacturer to replace it, although that would probably quite hard to get authorised due to costs.
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Well they would still call someone in to fit it anyway most likely. Garages don't usually fit glass themselves.
 
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