Is this acceptable from an OPC - Page 2 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

I have very recently had my Cayenne into my local OPC for some warranty work. The work involved changing a module that is part of the car s emergency call system, there was an error message on the dash relating to that system. It was explained to me after the issue was diagnosed that to access the item that needed replacing, the rear bumper would have to be removed, and to do so required some trim to be replaced, which meant new parts that required painting. At the time I wasn t aware what this trim was, but now that the work has been done, I can see it s the wheel arch extensions that come as part of the Sport Design Package option. I ll let the pictures do the talking. But in a nutshell, the OPCs stance is that this is fine, cannot be improved upon and a number of cayennes on their forecourt are similar. My stance is that before they removed them the old trim pieces were a much better fit and I have provided them with pictures to back this up. (The last image I’ve posted shows the original trim) I have raised the issue with Porsche UK, who are looking into it, so I won t name my local OPC. I just wanted to gather people s opinions. Edited by Go Compare on Wednesday 17th June 18:08

That’s quite the shadow gap.

I’d estimate about 3mm at its widest. The next section along is similar to the gap on the old trim

I wouldn’t be happy with that, especially as the original fit looks perfectly tight.

It's not even the same colour!

What a bodge!!!

I'd say that was very poor. You're right to push for a better result. There should be no real gap to speak of.

Wow. That’s really poor. I’m not surprised you are unhappy with the result. Push for proper remediation.

I wouldn’t accept that without fighting it. I had a warranty issue with creaking suspension 3 months after I bought my Panamera Turbo from an OPC. The OPC was useless, so I escalated it to Porsche GB, who weren’t much better. After a few months of no progress, I got the Financial Ombudsman involved, which was a quick and easy process and Porsche GB ended up covering the cost of fixing everything. My finance provider also got involved, which I found surprising but makes sense, given the car would have passed to the at the end of my PCP and they’d naturally take steps to make sure the car would be as it should. Just something to bear in mind, OP, in case you need to.

I had to have these wheel arch extensions replaced on my wife's previous Cayenne, when the rear bumper was removed for warranty work. My understanding is that they are glued into place so these should fit flush. This was achieved on my wife's Cayenne with no problem. I expect that, the dealer would have to replace them again, if removal needed and that is what they are trying to avoid

I suspect that you’re correct. In some of the dialogue I’ve had with the OPC, I questioned why if the old trim was a good fit why they didn’t just re-install that. They sent me an extract from their workshop manual that mentions the trim pieces are liable to break when removed. There will obviously be a risk of that if they try and remove them to adjust the fit, meaning they may have to procure another pair of trim pieces. However, my view is that, that’s not my problem.

The fact that you have a before and after photo says everything and I find it disappointing that your OPC hasn't acknowledged this, fingers crossed you have a better response from Porsche UK.

Go Compare said: I ll let the pictures do the talking. But in a nutshell, the OPCs stance is that this is fine, cannot be improved upon and a number of cayennes on their forecourt are similar. Are they really mostly like that?

To be fair I haven’t had chance to go back and have a look. But as the sport design trim is an optional extra, I would suspect that not that many of the cayenne’s they claim to have on site will even have the same parts. I did have a look at their inventory on the used approved website and from the pictures I cannot see any large trim gaps.

Ive got a Cayenne going in to the OPC for similar work. I’ll be paying very close attention to the rear arches when it’s finished. What part of the country are you in Go compare?

Hi, I’m based in the North East. I’d be interested to see how yours is after the work has been done.

This is still ongoing. Numerous people from the OPC are saying that they have compared my car to some cayennes they have on site and the gaps are similar. This is quite the achievement, as my car has not been back on site since I picked it up and made my initial complaint. I can only imagine they are using the pictures I sent them when first contacted them. I've since been on the used approved website and saved around 20 high res images of various cayennes, none of which exhibit the same issue. I emailed these to Porsche UK and the OPC in question. They didnt really respond to this. So then a few days later, I visited the OPC and had a look at some Cayenne's on their forecourt with the same optional trim, took some videos, took some more videos of my car and sent them to them, stating that the panel gaps look totally different. They responded by saying that, these cayennes are a different gen to mine (non face lift vs facelift) so the fitment and design of the trim is different. They went on to say that my pictures and videos didnt show the trims in full detail. This was followed by them saying that they have taken some images of vehicles they have on site which have the same gap as my car (they don't) I strongly suspect these images are of the same two cars I sent them videos of, which they said aren't comparible to my car due to being newer models. I am also confused as to how the images I sent them were inconclusive for my comparison, but deemed to be solid evidence for theirs? I asked Porsche UK for a second opinion from another OPC, the next nearest one came back and said that they don't really want to get involved citing something about getting payment from the OPC at fault for making the bodywork good should it need it. I then asked if it was possible to get a second opinion from the OPC I'm arguing with. They have responded and said that the trim cannot be adjusted, this is as good as it will get.

Motoring Ombudsman https://www.themotorombudsman.org/consumers/make-a... It tends to get some focus in my experience as the OPC will know you are not giving up

I remember the days when OPCs looked after their customers. A lot seems to have changed since I last purchased a new Porsche. I feel your frustration.

I’ll let you know how I get on Go Compare. I’ve raised my concerns with my local dealership and they tell me when the arches are removed they should be disposed of and replacements ordered. Apparently, some dealers are trying to save a few quid by reusing the originals.

Super Sonic said: It's not even the same colour! Yep, that's a bigger issue than the huge gap.

Right, so I’ve finally got my car back and had a good look at the rear arches. I can confirm that mine are fine and look like the factory fitted them. Good luck with getting a resolution GoCompare, if you need me to send photos of my car just let me know.

Most strange thing is the manufacturer making parts that are one-time use.

On another “warranty” related item, I got the Motor Ombudsman involved in March this year after Porsche UK rejected my claim in August last year. They tell me they give Porsche 10 working days to respond which from chasing TMB, they haven’t. It is now at the arbitration stage and they have a backlog so not to expect to hear until March next year. Porsche changed their T&C’s relating to corrosion on 15th Sept 2025. The 2 year long life “inspection” is an absolute joke nowadays where the car is driven over the wheel alignment check and at the same time the body is videoed as it drives through by multiple cameras - no human inspection whatsoever. Good luck but don’t expect a quick resolution!

MAVROS said: Right, so I ve finally got my car back and had a good look at the rear arches. I can confirm that mine are fine and look like the factory fitted them. Good luck with getting a resolution GoCompare, if you need me to send photos of my car just let me know. I actually gave up in the end, I was looking to change the car in the near future anyway, so decided to just bring that forward a little. The new car had an issue with PADM shortly after collection. The supplying dealer (non OPC) were great and immediately organised for it to be booked in at an OPC to have both mounts replaced under warranty. The irony being that their preferred OPC was the one I had been having the trim argument with! All sorted now, and I’m happy, but slighty annoyed that I indirectly sent £3.2k of work to an OPC I said I’d never use again!