Why was my dash cam unplugged for an oil change service

[GTI-Pirelli]

This has been playing on my mind a little because I look after my cars.

I had an oil change service today at Listers SEAT Coventry. It was a collect and delivery from where I work in Nuneaton. I have had this service before so didn't think anything of it.

When I got in the car to drive home from work I noticed that the car was in "CUPRA mode" (left in sport), the dash cam was unplugged and the radio station had been changed (Radio 1 Xtra if that makes a difference) when I turned it on. I have never had this or any other dealer unplug the dash cam on any previous visits. Neither has the drive mode been touched.

I know that the delivery driver has not been "having a play" as the car was showing 35.8MPG (since start) when I started it for the drive home. Also the dash cam footage of his drive to the dealership in the morning saw a max GPS speed of 64mph on a motorway. The kind of guy that looks after your stuff.

Am I just being paranoid or has the technician likely been out for a joyride in my car?
My biggest concern is that he changed the oil, ragged the tits off it from cold then parked it up ready to be delivered back to me when the delivery driver became free!
Also they had no business touching my dash cam.

 

[Dt-spd]

As you say, they have no need to touch your dashcam, so the fact they have would mean to me that they are wanting to hide something. Sadly I would imagine they have been for a joyride in your car.

 

[Piran]

I had a similar thing with my dealer in Ashford. I took it in for my first service which I just thought was oil change, filter etc but they'd written on the bottom that it had been out for a drive and was also left in cupra mode. Bit strange they need to drive it for a service

 

[mrratty]

Might have been a hint for you to go have some fun in your car. 35.8mpg!!!!

 

[Curtly]

I'm pretty sure that people have the right to not be filmed in the work place or something similar without their consent. I wouldn't want a customer recording me whilst I worked?

 

[Lee_car]

Not sure how long it goes back but have a look on the eco trainer thing might still show up

 

[Chippo]

Have you asked the dealer??

 

[DANFR180]

more than likely they just unplugged the dash cam, I doubt they go out and rag every cupra they service although i bet they did the first few lol

 

[Big Col]

as mentioned it's more likely the technician didn't want recorded at his work.

His right to privacy at work trumps your "he shouldn't be touching my dashcam" IMO.

 

[Copra68]

As above, I wouldn't be happy having someone's camera in my face recording me at my work without my permission.

 

[8cylinder]

Anytime I have had cars in the workshop with dash cams I normally cover them up,there is no need to have cameras recording somebody's work,if u have taken ure pride and joy to a dealers that you trust and more importantly the staff that work on your vehicle you have nothing to worry about.
I encourage and practice the theory of treat somebody else's car/property like your own as I wouldn't like (shoddy) workmanship carried out on my car so I wouldn't do it to someone else's.

 

[mardon]

I didn't know dash cams were on all the time so I agree with earlier comments but putting car in Cupra, sport and changing the radio is a little out of order.

 

[chrisRibiza]

Yous are easily annoyed!
I always unplug my dash cam before leaving my car in for a service, you need to trust the person working on your car.

It wouldn't bother me if they changed the radio station, lets face it we all have our own taste in music! I would actually usually just turn the stereo off too.

 

[Keyzer Soze]

It's unprofessional, if it bothers you, feedback to the servicing manager, might get some goodwill.

 

[QuietQuackers]

Does it really matter? There is no point having a Cupra if you don't have a bit of fun in it now and again, even if a technician sticks it in a different mode and gives it a brief drive so what? If a few minutes of ragging is cause to worry then I'm sure most of us would be screwed by now. The only issue I'd have is that they don't use too much fuel!

 

[GTI-Pirelli]

I totally agree with the fact that people may not want to be filmed at work. I personally couldn't care less; I have nothing to hide especially when driving customers cars.
However, the dash cam is forward facing out of the windscreen and only comes on with the ignition so will not capture any images of the person behind the wheel.
The daft thing is, I wouldn't have even checked the footage if no-one had unplugged it or if they plugged it back in when they were done.

The test drive after the oil change is purely to ensure that there are no issues with the car. It is so that they can find other work that they can charge for, either direct to me or through warranty. It is not to see how it handles when pushing it in it's performance mode.

I think that 8cylinder has hit the nail on the head. It was delivered to a dealer that I sort of trusted, although over the last couple of visits I am starting to loose that trust hence this post.
A more convenient VW garage for where I work will service SEAT's (but can't do warranty work). I used them for the Golf GTI that I had before the CUPRA. I may just have to start taking it to them.

 

[kazand]

I totally agree with the fact that people may not want to be filmed at work. I personally couldn't care less; I have nothing to hide especially when driving customers cars.
However, the dash cam is forward facing out of the windscreen and only comes on with the ignition so will not capture any images of the person behind the wheel.
The daft thing is, I wouldn't have even checked the footage if no-one had unplugged it or if they plugged it back in when they were done.

The test drive after the oil change is purely to ensure that there are no issues with the car. It is so that they can find other work that they can charge for, either direct to me or through warranty. It is not to see how it handles when pushing it in it's performance mode.

I think that 8cylinder has hit the nail on the head. It was delivered to a dealer that I sort of trusted, although over the last couple of visits I am starting to loose that trust hence this post.
A more convenient VW garage for where I work will service SEAT's (but can't do warranty work). I used them for the Golf GTI that I had before the CUPRA. I may just have to start taking it to them.

all joking etc aside, at the end of the day you entrusted YOUR vehicle to the dealer. If they have a policy about dash cameras you should have been told beforehand. If you are not happy - and clearly you are not, I don't think I'd be either- then I would suggest first thing is approach the service manager. Explain your thoughts, and see what his reply is. At best, you'll walk away a happy bunny, at worst he loses a customer. Remember YOU are paying THEM. Good luck.

 

[DANFR180]

tbh if i was servicing it and saw the dash cam i would think nah i wont joyride this one as hes obviously anal i'll just unplug it insted

 

[Jonwm]

I'm really wouldn't care to be honest, it's a cupra at the end of the day, I smashed mine with 6 milles miles on the clock, I'm sure it will be fine for the next 10 years


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[8cylinder]

You go to a restaurant and the food isn't up to standard,do u go there to eat again?
NO.
If ure not happy,change restaurants, however and in my opinion it is a controversial one,what if you report that you have a flat spot at 5000 rpm in cupra mode but the technician is un willing to break the speed limit on any particular Road?
Do u complain that he isn't doing his job Properly?
I for one will not break the speed limit for a fault unless driven by the customer.
I will drive my cupra the way I want,a customers car,then that's a different matter,I value my job,I have people to feed and a 10 minute joy ride in cupra mode with radio one extra blaring just doesn't appeal to me.