So i had purchased a brand new 2019 Audi A3 35 TFSI MY19 back in February this year, all is good with the car until i realise when i compare motor insurance quotes using my registration number i get a different year (2018) and make year (MY18). This may be an issue for one, my insurance claims could be rejected as the car details are not the same and two when i sell my car and transfer registration. The buyer will see that it is labelled as a 2018 model instead of a 2019 model.
Upon calling my dealer, the sales person told me that the build date was Nov 2018 and the Model year or compliance date is MY19, and that is how they always register their cars. Though the registration says its a 2018 MY18 but the contract says 2019 Audi A3 35 TFSI MY19. I've done some research and i found that the 2019 definitely has 35 TFSI embossed on the back of my car which ensures i've gotten a 2019 car. If it was a 2018 model, it would have TFSI only embossed on the back.
So my question is, did my dealer screw up in the registration bit or is he correct?
Thanks for the help.
thanks to tshow for the summary.
Contract states 2019 Audi A3 MY19.
Registration says 2018 Audi A3 MY18
Car decals suggest MY19
Build date is Nov 2018
Is there a registration error?
The only thing wrong is your registration's model year. It should read MY19, as MY19 identifies the features and emissions technology that your vehicle comes with. This is common and probably due to your region's registration authority not having put MY19 in their system yet (as initial records for rego in many regions are digital).
As most of the salespeople have said, the 19 on your contract refers to compliance date. As many customers have stated, it is dodgy. Even a dealer with a poor name will usually point out to the client both the build and compliance date on the contract before any signatures are made or money is transferred. Because if they point it out, they can overcome any objection to it.
Mentioning the compliance date for most brands without the build date is stupid as it will cost the dealership significant money trying to buy that customers satisfaction later. Same with making the compliance date larger or more visible than the build date in the contract. Putting 2019 with no context in the contract is another stupid move. If anything goes wrong with that sale, the dealer is going to start on the back foot if it ends up in front of a tribunal.
This has all been proven by the significant harm to Audi Australia's reputation that your dealership's silliness has caused. You would not have written this post making Audi Australia look bad if your dealership had acted ethically in the sales process. Luckily for Audi, most posters rightfully place blame on the dealer, not the Audi Australia.
Do you think I wrote Audi Australia enough times for them to contact you to sort this mess out?