Motoring Discussion > Is it me? Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Slightlyfatdirector Replies: 10
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 Fri 28 Feb 25 12:52 
 Is it me? - Slightlyfatdirector
Took the Golf to VW main dealer for it's annual service and MOT yesterday. All routine, nothing special.

The only odd thing was that they have changed their policy regarding cleaning cars post-service to this being optional, and if I said no, they would plant a tree instead.

I saw a little placard that from memory said that they would be saving something like 250 litres of water per wash and this was being sold as an environmental step.

The cynic in me says that the car needed washing anyway, so whether it's my 250 litres (sounds a lot) or theirs, nothing's being saved, and actually the likely thing being saved is going to be the wages of the cleaning team that will inevitably reduce if demand drops.

Now if someone turns up with an already nearly clean car then fair enough, you just ask if they want it cleaned or not and you can cite environmental reasons, but this appeared to have a bit of a campaign behind it to push their green credentials and my 'cynic' alarm went off, and I left feeling guilty that I said I wanted it cleaned.

Don't get me wrong, both myself and the company I work for has had environmental considerations at the forefront since before it was fashionable (solar panels, rainwater harvesting, super-insulated buildings and warehouse, light tubes magnifying sunlight into the offices, LED lights triggered by movement sensors, and lots of other stuff, and we do make people aware of it, but it's more passive.

I am just not sure that I should feel guilty for not planting a tree and getting my car cleaned when I have just given them the best part of £400.

Is it just me?
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 Fri 28 Feb 25 13:10 
 Is it me? - Zero
At the end of the day, washing your car was a way to make your high main dealer fees seem a wee bit more palatable. Me, I am happy to to arrive in a dirty car, let a fully trained indy tech fix and service my car, and leave in a dirty car, having paid half the main dealer labour rate.
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 Fri 28 Feb 25 13:26 
 Is it me? - Kevin
1) Eliminate demand by making punters feel guilty.

2) Withdraw service claiming there was no demand for it.

3) Make junior staff who did the job redundant.

4) Repurpose washing bay.

5) Use money saved to pay higher NI costs and director's bonuses.
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 Fri 28 Feb 25 14:06 
 Is it me? - bathtub tom
When my car was still being main dealer serviced, I instructed them not to wash it because:
1. I didn't want them using traffic film remover and other chemicals to strip the wax I'd spent ages applying.
2. I didn't want a pressure washer used on it. I've seen how the water can overcome door and oil seals.
3. A GB plate went 'missing'. I presume it was pressure washed off.
4. It had previously been scratched while at the main dealers and I reckoned it would reduce the risk of other scratches if it was moved by fewer people.
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 Fri 28 Feb 25 14:23 
 Is it me? - Boxsterboy
5. Don't want my car washed with a heavily soiled sponge using filthy water - and have the paint looking like a well-used ice rink.
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 Fri 28 Feb 25 14:37 
 Is it me? - Manatee
The MX-5 goes to the main dealer, I always leave a big note in it "PLEASE DO NOT WASH THIS CAR".

It already had swirls in the paint when I got it, which cover up quite nicely with a decent wax, but I don't want any more.

The cleaners at nearest Mazda dealer, which I don't use, always use squeegees on the cars. Having seen that I'd rather do it myself.
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 Fri 28 Feb 25 14:42 
 Is it me? - Rudedog
Yep I always decline the free 'scratch & shine' at MD service time - VW dealer I'm with employs a third party to do them.
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 Fri 28 Feb 25 15:43 
 Is it me? - Fullchat
I always thought that 'valeting' your car was a bit of kiddology in making you feel that your car had a proper service when in reality a grease monkey has ticked the service schedule and done the minimum they can get away with. Now you don't even get it cleaned. :/

I was getting my BMW motorcycle serviced at the beginning of the week. The Service Receptionist was giving a customers BMW Harley look alike the once over with polish. She said the didn't trust the car valeters (they do BMW cars as well) as they had completely trashed a bike with their acid traffic film remover.
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 Fri 28 Feb 25 16:39 
 Is it me? - Ted

I don't bother now.

After 4 years, like Quentin Crisp's sideboard, the muck doesn't get any worse. I did wash the Jowett some years ago and I suppose the Herod will have to be done sometime. At least there's no roof to do ! I don't want to wash the expensive Collinite polish off !

Ted
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 Fri 28 Feb 25 18:04 
 Is it me? - Bromptonaut
Probably the only time our cars get washed is at the garage!!

The Superb's grey is showing up splatter from our muddy roads but I suspect it will mostly rinse off when it next rains.
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 Mon 3 Mar 25 12:54 
 Is it me? - Slightlyfatdirector
Interesting replies.

I had never thought of it from the perspective of a poor quality wash leaving scratches.... I can't say I have really looked at the paint-work in detail for a long time, and it's possible that it's not great afterwards.

In the past I would lovingly polish both my work and my wife's car probably twice a year, and washes were almost weekly with the dark cars.

I have no idea how I found the time, and I certainly don't do it now.

There also seems little point as there are lots of wet areas of road locally where drains are clearly backed up (a few hazardous situations on bends up / down hill) and the spray from the road, salt, mud, etc has the cars filthy in a week. I have never seen a year as bad for this down here in Sussex, and I can't drive in any direction without seeing it, even if we have had a long dry patch as we have had recently. Grrr.
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