Windscreen crack, no chip...

Spit · 13 May 2016 at 15:44

This just appeared today

only had the car a month. 16 plate BMW 420d. Not had any chips I'm aware of and can't see any on the windscreen just this massive crack. Could it be a manufacturing problem and covered under warranty? On holiday this week staying at a hotel so not very convenient! Friday the 13th, bah.

What do you think?

Warranty_V0id · 13 May 2016 at 16:30

I'd take it back and complain

there are no visible chips or damage that could have caused it.

tom_e · 13 May 2016 at 16:33

Definitely take it back, there doesn't look to be any point of impact like you say. It certainly looks like a weakness/flaw in the glass.

Lashout_UK · 13 May 2016 at 17:27

What's that white dot on the crack about 1" down from the top?

Spit · 13 May 2016 at 19:12

Managed to take a close up of the white dot, it does look like a chip but it's about the size of a small pin head. Would that be enough? Had to put the leafy thing there so the iPhone would focus.

Jono8 · 13 May 2016 at 19:16

Hm, definitely looks like somethings hit it then.

Frozennova · 13 May 2016 at 19:19

Definitely an impact mark

It takes very little visible damage to crack a screen on a "modern" car if the impact is in the first couple of inches around the outside

Spit · 13 May 2016 at 19:28

Gutted

insane200 · 13 May 2016 at 19:34

Spit said:
Gutted

Your insurance should cover it, just a pain being such a new car, My T5 work van has some chips in the screen which have been there for nearly a year and as of yet are fine.

teenwolf · 13 May 2016 at 19:35

Excess is usually around £75 hardly worth getting upset about

Spit · 13 May 2016 at 20:21

teenwolf said:
Excess is usually around £75 hardly worth getting upset about

Yes you are right. Just annoying.

[TW]Fox · 13 May 2016 at 20:29

teenwolf said:
Excess is usually around £75 hardly worth getting upset about

The screen replacement process will be a disaster.

paradigm · 13 May 2016 at 20:32

[TW]Fox;29494280 said:
The screen replacement process will be a disaster.

So true, unfortunately.

Howard · 13 May 2016 at 20:55

[TW]Fox;29494280 said:
The screen replacement process will be a disaster.

This is why I dread having to ever have mine replaced.

Uther · 13 May 2016 at 21:11

Our last car, a Renault Grand Scenic with a big screen got hit by a tiny stone, after a couple of days of hot weather it developed into a huge crack like that!
Had no problems with the replacement screen though.

mattcrane · 13 May 2016 at 21:16

Avoid Autoglass if possible.

After the initial repair to my screen failed it took them 4 weeks to get it sorted and a new screen fitted. So I was driving around with a 25" crack in the screen.

And that was with 4 visits including the wrong type of fitter turning up, (apparently he wasn't allowed to carry out warranty work), the wrong screen being fitted, (they didn't realise it was the wrong screen until it was in), then having to wait while they ordered a screen from Ford..........

The only good thing about it was they sent me a £50 cheque to apologise for the delays.

teenwolf · 13 May 2016 at 21:51

[TW]Fox;29494280 said:
The screen replacement process will be a disaster.

yeh good point, i remember mrk and his

Kaeo · 13 May 2016 at 23:49

The reality is that to get it for your excess cost, they probably have some nominated company, who is probably Autoglass, so clench tight and hope for the best.

mattcrane · 14 May 2016 at 07:03

Shouldn't matter who the insurance want to use you should be able to choose your own.

It is worth talking to them first though.

All it means is that you will have to meet the full cost to start with and claim it back from your insurance company.

This is what I was told by my company after my experience with Autoglass problem is being able to afford a complete new screen.......

Most people don't bother as it is easier to let the insurance company deal with everything and should in theory be hassle free.

Just have a look at Autoglass Facebook page though to see how bad they can be.

bainbridge · 14 May 2016 at 09:17

It's all down to the competence of the fitter, if he's skilled and takes pride in his work you'll be fine.

2 windscreens ago was a disaster, bits of glue poking out and a clicking sound when operating the wipers. Had another windscreen crack and when the repairer came round to do the job I explained the shoddy finish and clicking the last guy caused. This new repairer was much better, the job looked perfect and he explained that the clicking noise was caused by the heated windscreen wires from the old windscreen being left in situ and dangling over the wiper linkage! Also he said the previous guy snapped some plastic fasteners on a cover at the bottom of the windscreen and so replaced the broken ones.

All in all he was skilled and took pride in doing a good job. If I were in your position with a new car I'd demand BMW glass if that's the case and a skilled fitter.