Insane Wait Times (UK Dealerships)

[themastergoose]

Hi all,

I've registered after having took delivery of my new MG4 SE Long Range about a month ago. It's not my first EV after having run my Mazda MX-30 for 2 years, but I do have concerns over the MG's reliability.

The super short version is the cars drivers side headlamp has started to fail. The daytime running LED no longer works at all, and main beam only works sometimes. I've checked for loose connectors on the single plug that I can see going into the lamp but it's secure. Obviously a non-working headlight is (in my view) a fairly urgent need for repair.

Imagine how p****d off I am that despite the car being only 1 month old, the lead-times to even get a "diagnostics appointment" at the 3 dealerships closest to me are as follows:

Glyn Hopkin Milton Keynes (Closest and where the car come from): January 22nd 2025
Glyn Hopkin Bedford: February 4th 2025
Perrys Aylesbury: December 16th 2024

I've booked with Perrys, but these wait times for what will literally be 10 minutes to conclude "the light is faulty we'll order one" is frustrating. The dealership I bought the car from was very dismissive when I put it to them that if I am pulled by police for the headlight, they may well give me a ticket. The dealership said I should not drive it if I am worried. Astounding response for a new car in my view.

My other concern is after booking with Perrys as it's the fastest, the guy I spoke to was at least honest saying it probably needs a new light but they can't order it without seeing the car first. He warned me parts delays "exceed 6 months". So then am I expected to drive around without a working headlamp for what could end up being 9 months or more since buying the car?

This all seems a little crap regarding aftersales, so what's everyone else's experience of the MG dealerships?

Would I also have any milage buying a light from the handful of sellers on eBay with only 1 or 2 boxed lights that are new and sealed for sale, and then claiming it back from MG or the dealer given the delays are too long?

Car also has two other issues but the light is my main concern, but it also:

• Randomly refuses to charge quicker than around 7kW even when plugged into 150kW DC chargers that worked fine a week earlier
• Refuses to engage drive after being on an AC charge overnight and needs the 12V battery disconnecting to "reset" the car

The AA tell me these are both "common" and software issues. Sorry for the long post, but would be good to see what other owners make of my main points?

 

[LukeTim]

I recently picked up my MG SE LR, and it is not just my first EV but also my first "New" car where I am dealing directly with the official dealership. I have been able to book in a software upgrade very quickly. The lady on the phone offered something the same week I was calling but due to my own diary and logistics I decided to book it in for 10th October.

So, thus far I have no concerns about the aftersales experience. I think it is probably to some extent random luck based on location.

Sorry to hear you've had such a poor experience. Those wait times do seem quite ridiculous, I wonder what their excuse is.

 

[QuentinM]

I am in New Zealand so not comparable but reading a number of messages here about long delays for service or parts was a worry. Then my partner had a small accident that damaged the front right of the car. The car was drivable but I had nightmares of driving around for months with a bashed in front.

As it turned out, it was just over two weeks from the date of the accident to have it back fully repaired, looking and running like new. It would have been faster but they hadn't noticed the cracked windshield washer container that was leaking, but that was ordered on a Thursday and arrived Tuesday (Monday was a holiday).

 

[Wadda]

Take the car back to the dealer you bought it, ideally when they are busy and tell them you are rejecting the as it’s not fit for purpose as the lights don’t work. Kick up a fuss. Speak to the manager and don’t take no for a answer.

 

[salty]

Take the car back to the dealer you bought it, ideally when they are busy and tell them you are rejecting the as it’s not fit for purpose as the lights don’t work. Kick up a fuss. Speak to the manager and don’t take no for a answer.

Totally agree. Do NOT let them fob you off. Those waiting times, are absolutely ridiculous! And imo, utter Bollox. ??

 

[jpk]

A bad experience but you won't be waiting that long. I had a deer jump out on me August 9th, repair was approved around 8 days later, parts were ordered a few days later ( new bumper, drivers side headlight and indicator, new wheel arch liner ), went in for repairs September 9th and picking it up this afternoon

 

[haloweenhamster]

All depends on the dealership, some order from UK warehouse & it's days to deliver, some order from china & it's 3-6 months to deliver
Guess it must depend on how the franchise is setup

 

[MGDriver]

Hi all,

I've registered after having took delivery of my new MG4 SE Long Range about a month ago. It's not my first EV after having run my Mazda MX-30 for 2 years, but I do have concerns over the MG's reliability.

The super short version is the cars drivers side headlamp has started to fail. The daytime running LED no longer works at all, and main beam only works sometimes. I've checked for loose connectors on the single plug that I can see going into the lamp but it's secure. Obviously a non-working headlight is (in my view) a fairly urgent need for repair.

Imagine how p****d off I am that despite the car being only 1 month old, the lead-times to even get a "diagnostics appointment" at the 3 dealerships closest to me are as follows:

Glyn Hopkin Milton Keynes (Closest and where the car come from): January 22nd 2025
Glyn Hopkin Bedford: February 4th 2025
Perrys Aylesbury: December 16th 2024

I've booked with Perrys, but these wait times for what will literally be 10 minutes to conclude "the light is faulty we'll order one" is frustrating. The dealership I bought the car from was very dismissive when I put it to them that if I am pulled by police for the headlight, they may well give me a ticket. The dealership said I should not drive it if I am worried. Astounding response for a new car in my view.

My other concern is after booking with Perrys as it's the fastest, the guy I spoke to was at least honest saying it probably needs a new light but they can't order it without seeing the car first. He warned me parts delays "exceed 6 months". So then am I expected to drive around without a working headlamp for what could end up being 9 months or more since buying the car?

This all seems a little crap regarding aftersales, so what's everyone else's experience of the MG dealerships?

Would I also have any milage buying a light from the handful of sellers on eBay with only 1 or 2 boxed lights that are new and sealed for sale, and then claiming it back from MG or the dealer given the delays are too long?

Car also has two other issues but the light is my main concern, but it also:

• Randomly refuses to charge quicker than around 7Kw even when plugged into 150Kw DC chargers that worked fine a week earlier
• Refuses to engage drive after being on an AC charge overnight and needs the 12V battery disconnecting to "reset" the car

The AA tell me these are both "common" and software issues. Sorry for the long post, but would be good to see what other owners make of my main points?

If you are close enough to Reading we should be able to fit you in alot earlier than December!

 

[Robf]

I had a simple fault (wind noise at window caused by faulty seal) and was thrown a similar line to which I stated that I shall bring car in now, it will take less than 60 secs for the technician to confirm its a the seal, they can then order and tell me when its ready for fitting. Job done

 

[tsedge]

Hi all,

I've registered after having took delivery of my new MG4 SE Long Range about a month ago. It's not my first EV after having run my Mazda MX-30 for 2 years, but I do have concerns over the MG's reliability.

The super short version is the cars drivers side headlamp has started to fail. The daytime running LED no longer works at all, and main beam only works sometimes. I've checked for loose connectors on the single plug that I can see going into the lamp but it's secure. Obviously a non-working headlight is (in my view) a fairly urgent need for repair.

Imagine how p****d off I am that despite the car being only 1 month old, the lead-times to even get a "diagnostics appointment" at the 3 dealerships closest to me are as follows:

Glyn Hopkin Milton Keynes (Closest and where the car come from): January 22nd 2025
Glyn Hopkin Bedford: February 4th 2025
Perrys Aylesbury: December 16th 2024

I've booked with Perrys, but these wait times for what will literally be 10 minutes to conclude "the light is faulty we'll order one" is frustrating. The dealership I bought the car from was very dismissive when I put it to them that if I am pulled by police for the headlight, they may well give me a ticket. The dealership said I should not drive it if I am worried. Astounding response for a new car in my view.

My other concern is after booking with Perrys as it's the fastest, the guy I spoke to was at least honest saying it probably needs a new light but they can't order it without seeing the car first. He warned me parts delays "exceed 6 months". So then am I expected to drive around without a working headlamp for what could end up being 9 months or more since buying the car?

This all seems a little crap regarding aftersales, so what's everyone else's experience of the MG dealerships?

Would I also have any milage buying a light from the handful of sellers on eBay with only 1 or 2 boxed lights that are new and sealed for sale, and then claiming it back from MG or the dealer given the delays are too long?

Car also has two other issues but the light is my main concern, but it also:

• Randomly refuses to charge quicker than around 7Kw even when plugged into 150Kw DC chargers that worked fine a week earlier
• Refuses to engage drive after being on an AC charge overnight and needs the 12V battery disconnecting to "reset" the car

The AA tell me these are both "common" and software issues. Sorry for the long post, but would be good to see what other owners make of my main points?

Waiting times vary across MG dealerships, I have most only had to wait a week or two to book my car in outside xmas and other peak periods (registration change).

EVs are concentrated in London and the South East, so the delays will also be concentrated here.

The reasons for delays generally are:

• MG's popularity has been going through the roof, making dealers much busier with service customers.
• It is very hard to recruit and retain technicians, few people want to go into this work in the UK and the good ones are poached by premium makes that pay more.
• Many technicians are not EV trained.
• Some parts take months to come from China.

It does sound as if your car is in need of software updates to fix the issues you are seeing.

 

[haloweenhamster]

Retaining technicians I see quite a bit, I know quite a few for different brands & they move around every couple of years or go to work on trains, they say money is much better & it's more laid back working on trains
I just need to find an MG tech to befriend ?

 

[fshuk1]

Waiting times vary across MG dealerships, I have most only had to wait a week or two to book my car in outside xmas and other peak periods (registration change).

EVs are concentrated in London and the South East, so the delays will also be concentrated here.

The reasons for delays generally are:

• MG's popularity has been going through the roof, making dealers much busier with service customers.
• It is very hard to recruit and retain technicians, few people want to go into this work in the UK and the good ones are poached by premium makes that pay more.
• Many technicians are not EV trained.
• Some parts take months to come from China.

It does sound as if your car is in need of software updates to fix the issues you are seeing.

This.

But having said that it is getting much better.

I would not touch any other Chinese brand like BYD or ORA etc. MG has got the best design of all of them and they are working on getting better customer care.

 

[Freeway]

I recently picked up my MG SE LR, and it is not just my first EV but also my first "New" car where I am dealing directly with the official dealership. I have been able to book in a software upgrade very quickly. The lady on the phone offered something the same week I was calling but due to my own diary and logistics I decided to book it in for 10th October.

So, thus far I have no concerns about the aftersales experience. I think it is probably to some extent random luck based on location.

Sorry to hear you've had such a poor experience. Those wait times do seem quite ridiculous, I wonder what their excuse is.

Try Glynn Hopkins Watford. Hunting around to find a garage that would check my MG3 Hybrid.
Thought I had an oil leak but hadn't. Must of been from the previous car I just sold. I had to wait only a week. I have another car that helps in these cases.

 

[Freeway]

Try Glynn Hopkins Watford.Hunting around to find a garage that would check my MG3 Hybrid.
Thought I had an oil leak but hadn't. Must of been from the previous car I just sold. I had to wait only a week.I have another car that helps in these cases.

Forgot to mention I didn't by the car there but from Tunbridge Wells who had the best offer. I had the test drive at Glynn Hopkins Watford but they wouldn't budge an inch on the price.

 

[Bam Bam]

Imagine how p****d off I am that despite the car being only 1 month old, the lead-times to even get a "diagnostics appointment" at the 3 dealerships closest to me are as follows:

Glyn Hopkin Milton Keynes (Closest and where the car come from): January 22nd 2025
Glyn Hopkin Bedford: February 4th 2025
Perrys Aylesbury: December 16th 2024

That is bad!

The only thing I can think is that they don't have any technicians, or only have one covering multiple branches when they need several.

 

[DavecUK]

Hi all,

I've registered after having took delivery of my new MG4 SE Long Range about a month ago. It's not my first EV after having run my Mazda MX-30 for 2 years, but I do have concerns over the MG's reliability.

The super short version is the cars drivers side headlamp has started to fail. The daytime running LED no longer works at all, and main beam only works sometimes. I've checked for loose connectors on the single plug that I can see going into the lamp but it's secure. Obviously a non-working headlight is (in my view) a fairly urgent need for repair.

Imagine how p****d off I am that despite the car being only 1 month old, the lead-times to even get a "diagnostics appointment" at the 3 dealerships closest to me are as follows:

Glyn Hopkin Milton Keynes (Closest and where the car come from): January 22nd 2025
Glyn Hopkin Bedford: February 4th 2025
Perrys Aylesbury: December 16th 2024

Try Palmers Hemel Hempstead. I used that one because my disgrace of a local dealer Richmond in Slyfield Guildford about 9 miles from me had ridiculous wait times.. Palmers nearly 40 miles away were good.

 

[domwild]

Youtube tells me repairs are a problem generally with EVs. In Oz my first service will be in two years for the MG and sales first are essential plus to work on 400VDC batteries requires licensing. A Nissan dealer close to my home has no EV technicians and the local BYD dealer's "service centre" is not even manned at the moment.

In your case with a faulty head light I would tell them the "not fit for purpose" line and demand a new car or money back, this is what happened to a lot of Mazda 3 owners in the US.

 

[LenEV2016]

This.

But having said that it is getting much better.

I would not touch any other Chinese brand like BYD or ORA etc. MG has got the best design of all of them and they are working on getting better customer care.

BYD is the biggest seller of EVs in the world and at the forefront of battery tech, their blade batteries are at the leading edge of current tech.
I can't speak to their dealer/after sales service but they are bringing some good looking cars to the market, the Seal and Seal 06 GT are both good looking cars (not the greatest names ever though) they are only going to get bigger.