Quote:
Originally Posted by tooloud10
When I asked my last dealer rep if they planned to put holes in my brand new bumper, she gave me an overdramatic horrified look and chuckled "OMG we would never do that unless the customer asked."
The fact that the damage was due to installing a license plate does not make it any less "damage"; I'm unaware of any exception in the CPO process for non-factory holes in the bodywork.
In fact, they keep the phrasing intentionally vague so as to not have to list every possible damage scenario, so of course it's not referenced.
I live in a state that legally requires me to display a front plate; there is no legal requirement that I put holes in the car, so mine has none.
I agree with most of that, just not the part where the CPO process shouldn't flag non-factory holes in the bodywork based on speculation of what they were used for.
The fact that a dealer or previous owner took the easy route to satisfy legal requirements in their region doesn't make it any less damage to an otherwise good car. I actually believe this kind of thing is exactly what CPO was designed to address.
What if the holes weren't for a plate but for an aftermarket laser jammer or additional driving lights? What makes the damage any different?
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I wouldn't want holes in my front bumper either but the OP asked if this should be fixed as part of the CPO process or if it gives them leverage in a used car negotiation. I just answered the question asked by OP. The answer is: No. The dealer will just sell the car to the next guy. Why? Because the average buyer doesn't care. I don't side with the average buyer but I am able to accept that is the reality.
To answer your question about what makes the front license plate holes any different than holes drilled for an aftermarket laser jammer: Front license plates are legally required in many states, and most customers in those states don't care if the dealer drilled the holes. A laser jammer, on the other hand, is not legally required in any state and most customers would not expect there to be drilled holes or other damage to mount those devices on a typical used car. It comes down to what does the average customer see as a reasonable expectation. Again, I don't want the holes in my car but I accept that the dealer will not have any trouble selling the car whether the front bumper is drilled or not, especially in a state that requires front plates.
So why would the dealer pay to repair it as part of CPO when it is not an item that fails CPO? And why would the dealer offer a concession when they can just sell it to the next guy? That was the OP question and that is the thought process from the dealer and the average consumer.