[Help] Leather Car Seat Repair

Madafwo said:

Looking at buying a used car and the drivers seat has quite a large tear in it, also the door card at the rear has got a couple of nicks in them that I'd like sorting.

Has anyone got any recommendations of places in Sussex that can do the work? Don't mind a bit of a drive to get someone decent to do the work but want to get back to the car dealer tomorrow with an offer taking into consideration the work required.

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swindonseagull said:

What on Earth were they doing to tear leather? or is it the seem come unstitched?

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Knocky's Nose said:

Ahh.. that's perforated leather. The perforations make it weak to start with, and a right twunt to repair.

Is the car expensive? If so, it may be worth the time and effort to either buy a second hand seat in perfect condition, or buy another one with a tear in it and give it to an upholsterer to rob a swatch of leather from for the repair.

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Madafwo said:

It's only a Mondeo so not massively expensive but I'm using it as a negotiating point, whatever they tell me it's going to cost to fix is what I'm going to tell the dealer.

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Knocky's Nose said:

You may find then that if it's not an expensive car - and it's used, they'll just shrug their shoulders. It's like buying a pair of second hand shoes and trying to knock the seller on price because the heels are worn.

I used to deal in cars many years ago - and your best tactic is to find multiple issues, not concentrate on one. You need a barrage of things to disarm the seller.

So (as an example) - pick out kerbed alloys, scratches to the paint, ripped leather, brakes looking low, incomplete service history, switches and dials not working, carpets worn, tyre brands all odd (or low depth), spare tyre low or flat - anything like that. Make a list, hit him with a plethora of moans, say that you think you can find better elsewhere if you look, but you'd be happier buying this one at a discount as you can't be arsed driving all over Sussex looking at others.

Hit him, then give him a chance to come back.

It's all a big game really, but if you play it well you'll get a fair deal.

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Madafwo said:

Oh there's a list. The rest I can either sort myself or I know where to take it to get a good job done, I've just never had to have a seat repaired before.

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swindonseagull said:

What on Earth were they doing to tear leather? or is it the seem come unstitched?

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