A family faced a hefty £1,800 invoice following an incident at a car wash that left their Range Rover severely damaged and their toddler drenched. Andrew Fenn and Cara Burke, preparing to take their son Otis to meet Paddington Bear, decided to stop at a Tesco car wash in Wrexham, North Wales. However, during the wash, a malfunction occurred, causing the rear passenger door to open due to the rotating brush catching the handle. This resulted in water spraying inside the vehicle, affecting their 18-month-old child in the back seat. The family was shocked by the unexpected turn of events, with subsequent damage to the SUV’s top spoiler, leading to a repair bill of £1,800.
Despite raising concerns with Tesco regarding the incident, the couple faced delays and challenges in getting their claim addressed. Despite multiple visits and promises of follow-up, Tesco’s insurers ultimately rejected their claim, stating the car wash was operational and no defects were found. The couple, still awaiting the engineer’s report, expressed frustration over the lack of accountability and resolution.
In response, Tesco expressed regret over the family’s ordeal and assured that claims are evaluated case by case, offering repair solutions where applicable. The company highlighted disclaimer notices advising against using the car wash for certain vehicles, including Range Rovers, due to potential damage risks. Both Andrew and Cara were unaware of this vulnerability before the incident, emphasizing their intentions to avoid automatic car washes in the future.
Jaguar Land Rover UK emphasized industry-standard guidelines cautioning against commercially operated automatic car washes to prevent exterior component damage. Tesco confirmed that their car washes are managed by Wilcomatic, with regular monitoring and inspections to ensure proper functioning. Cara, determined to raise awareness about the incident, shared her ordeal publicly to caution others and pledged to opt for manual car washes going forward.
The family’s experience serves as a cautionary tale, shedding light on the importance of understanding vehicle-specific recommendations and potential risks associated with automatic car washes.